Beadle's Dime Novels No. 94: The Mad Skipper — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

} THE MINIATURE. 58 the shores of the little island. The howling seals plunged Into the water or crept into little hollows and caverns, as the boat approached ; and when its crew landed, not one of the timid creatures was to be seen. Fastening their vessel, they proceeded to build little huts of snow, and, in a short time, a sufficient number were provided to afford each man a tolerably warm and comfortable shelter. Before entering their snow-houses, however, the mariners indulged for some time in the exercises of leaping, running, and swinging their arms, exposing themselves to the wind as i much as possible, in order to dry their saturated garments. At sunrise, they partook of their scanty breakfast, consist- ing of one sea-biscuit apiece, and a draught of water to each man. The wind had by this time died away; not a ripple dis- turbed the water as it rose and fell in those long, undulating swells often observed after the subsiding of a heavy gale. “ T shouldn’t wonder if we could see our craft. now,” ob- served Ben, his whole countenance lighting up. “ She can’t make any more headway just at present. If she’s in sight now, there’s no doubt of our reaching her, if we try.” * Yees, yees!” exclaimed little Joe Plaush, and he efipped his hands and whirled himself round and round upon his heel, after the manner of his countrymen, when joyfully excited. “Oh, yees! and we hear guitar once more, and see Lilian!” At the mention of this name, Frank’s eye brightened, anda glow of pleasure reddened his sunburnt cheek. Instinctively, his hand was thrust into the side-pocket of his jacket, and the quick eye of his friend detected the glitter of a little chain. “Ha! what you got there? Me like to see!” he ex- claimed, “ A miniature,’ answered Frank. “ Who give him to you?” “ Lilian,’ whispered the young man, and he pressed one of the dwarf’s red hands between both his own. The two men, being now somewhat removed from the rest, . who had mounted to the top of a high rock to look for the ship, could speak of the young girl without reserve. “ She gave me this miniature,” continued pace . in return for one of my own.” comicbooks.com