diff options
Diffstat (limited to '35570-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/35570-h.htm | 8761 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 435534 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_000a.png | bin | 0 -> 497294 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_000b.png | bin | 0 -> 44008 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_000c.png | bin | 0 -> 180874 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_000d.png | bin | 0 -> 280650 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_000e.png | bin | 0 -> 314471 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_001.png | bin | 0 -> 1266103 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_006.png | bin | 0 -> 687344 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_011.png | bin | 0 -> 143164 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_015.png | bin | 0 -> 480995 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_023.png | bin | 0 -> 782362 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_024.png | bin | 0 -> 140038 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_027.png | bin | 0 -> 332393 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_031.png | bin | 0 -> 229365 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_038.png | bin | 0 -> 54408 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_039.png | bin | 0 -> 476164 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_045.png | bin | 0 -> 577156 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_048.png | bin | 0 -> 76447 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_052.png | bin | 0 -> 323465 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_055.png | bin | 0 -> 73600 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_061.png | bin | 0 -> 83970 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_067.png | bin | 0 -> 106083 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_072.png | bin | 0 -> 231616 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_073.png | bin | 0 -> 189891 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_074.png | bin | 0 -> 160312 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_083.png | bin | 0 -> 81418 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_087.png | bin | 0 -> 391496 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_091.png | bin | 0 -> 282309 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_099.png | bin | 0 -> 117639 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_102.png | bin | 0 -> 120563 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_105.png | bin | 0 -> 515425 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_111.png | bin | 0 -> 610712 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_114.png | bin | 0 -> 92787 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_115.png | bin | 0 -> 262621 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_121.png | bin | 0 -> 283659 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_123.png | bin | 0 -> 115371 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_129.png | bin | 0 -> 86553 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_135.png | bin | 0 -> 349675 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_141.png | bin | 0 -> 692779 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_150a.png | bin | 0 -> 14211 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_150b.png | bin | 0 -> 16061 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_152.png | bin | 0 -> 81582 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_153.png | bin | 0 -> 147918 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_163.png | bin | 0 -> 183819 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_167.png | bin | 0 -> 442909 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_174.png | bin | 0 -> 585493 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_186.png | bin | 0 -> 88956 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_191.png | bin | 0 -> 138148 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_196.png | bin | 0 -> 49592 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_197.png | bin | 0 -> 240979 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_204.png | bin | 0 -> 479911 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_215.png | bin | 0 -> 92550 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_218.png | bin | 0 -> 93860 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_227.png | bin | 0 -> 293693 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_231.png | bin | 0 -> 341553 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35570-h/images/i_239.png | bin | 0 -> 83617 bytes |
57 files changed, 8761 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/35570-h/35570-h.htm b/35570-h/35570-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..054d74e --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/35570-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8761 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> +<meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title>The Casting Away of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine | Project Gutenberg</title> +<link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> +<style> /* <![CDATA[ */ + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +h1 {font-size: 200%;} + +h2 {font-size: 180%;} + +h3 {font-size: 120%;} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +.p1b {margin-top: 1em; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 120%;} +.p1c {margin-top: 1em; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%; clear: both;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.tdl {text-align: left; padding: 1em;} +.tdc {text-align: center; padding: 1em;} +.tdr {text-align: right; padding: 1em;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + color: grey; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquote { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcapa {font-size: 75%; font-weight: bold;} + +/* Figures */ + +figure {max-width: 100%;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp100 {width: 100%;} +.illowp15 {width: 15%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp15 {width: 100%;} +.illowp22 {width: 22%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp22 {width: 100%;} +.illowp27 {width: 27%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp27 {width: 100%;} +.illowp34 {width: 34%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp34 {width: 100%;} +.illowp35 {width: 35%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp35 {width: 100%;} +.illowp41 {width: 41%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp41 {width: 100%;} +.illowp44 {width: 44%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp44 {width: 100%;} +.illowp46 {width: 46%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp46 {width: 100%;} +.illowp48 {width: 48%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp48 {width: 100%;} +.illowp49 {width: 49%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp49 {width: 100%;} +.illowp50 {width: 50%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp50 {width: 100%;} +.illowp51 {width: 51%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp51 {width: 100%;} +.illowp53 {width: 53%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp53 {width: 100%;} +.illowp54 {width: 54%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp54 {width: 100%;} +.illowp57 {width: 57%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp57 {width: 100%;} +.illowp59 {width: 59%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp59 {width: 100%;} +.illowp65 {width: 65%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp65 {width: 100%;} +.illowp67 {width: 67%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp67 {width: 100%;} +.illowp69 {width: 69%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp69 {width: 100%;} +.illowp71 {width: 71%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp71 {width: 100%;} +.illowp75 {width: 75%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp75 {width: 100%;} +.illowp76 {width: 76%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp76 {width: 100%;} +.illowp77 {width: 77%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp77 {width: 100%;} +.illowp78 {width: 78%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp78 {width: 100%;} +.illowp82 {width: 82%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp82 {width: 100%;} +.illowp84 {width: 84%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp84 {width: 100%;} +.illowp84 {width: 85%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp85 {width: 100%;} +.illowp93 {width: 93%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp93 {width: 100%;} +.illowp94 {width: 94%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp94 {width: 100%;} +.illowp95 {width: 95%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp95 {width: 100%;} +.illowp97 {width: 97%;} +.x-ebookmaker .illowp97 {width: 100%;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.x-ebookmaker .figleft {float: left;} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.x-ebookmaker .figright {float: right;} + +/* Captions */ + +.caption {font-weight: bold; font-size:small;} + +.caption p { + text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; + margin: 0.25em 0; + font-weight: bold; + font-size:small; +} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } +/* ]]> */ </style> + </head> +<body> +<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Casting Away of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, by Frank R. Stockton</p> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> + +<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Casting Away of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine</p> +<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Frank R. Stockton</p> +<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Frederic Dorr Steele</p> +<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: July 10, 2023 [eBook #35570]</p> +<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> + <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Credits: Jane Robins, Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</p> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CASTING AWAY OF MRS. LECKS AND MRS. ALESHINE ***</div> + +<div class="transnote"> +<h3>Note:</h3> + +<p>This e-book has been updated to current html practice for e-books. No corrections in the text have been noted.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ii"></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_i"></span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp54" id="i_000a" style="max-width: 34em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_000a.png" alt="Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine on ship deck"> +</figure> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="i_000b" style="max-width: 6.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_000b.png" alt="A fan shell"> +</figure> + + +<h1>T<span class="smcapa">HE</span> CASTING AWAY of Mrs. LECKS and Mrs. ALESHINE<br></h1> +<p class="p1b">BY</p> +<p class="p1c">FRANK R. STOCKTON</p> +<p class="center"><b>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS B</b>Y<br> +<b>FREDERIC DORR STEELE</b></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp78" id="i_000c" style="max-width: 39.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_000c.png" alt="Decorative pot"> +</figure> + +<p><br> +<br></p> +<p class="center"><b>NEW YORK</b><br> +<b>THE CENTURY C</b><span class="smcapa">O.</span><br> +<b>1903</b> +<br><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iii"></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_iv"></span></p> + + +<p class="center"><b>C</b><span class="smcapa">OPYRIGHT</span><b>, 1886, 1892, 1898.</b><br> +<b>B</b><span class="smcapa">Y</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HE</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">ENTURY</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">O.</span><br></p> +<p><br> +<br></p> +<p class="center"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HE</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">E</span><b>V</b><span class="smcapa">INNE</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">RESS.</span></p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[vii]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp77" id="i_000d" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_000d.png" alt="Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine"> +</figure> + + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<div class="center"> +<table> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_1"><b>PART I</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"> </td><td class="tdr"><span class="smcapa">PAGE</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HESE</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">WO</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">ORTHY</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">AMES</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">PENT THE</span> <b>G</b><span class="smcapa">REATER</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">ART OF THEIR</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">IME ON</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">ECK</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_ii"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>D</b><span class="smcapa">O</span> <b>Y</b><span class="smcapa">OU</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">EE</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HAT</span> <b>B</b><span class="smcapa">OAT</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HERE</span><b>?</b></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">LESHINE</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">ROVED TO BE A</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">ORE</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">IFFICULT</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">UBJECT</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>W</b><span class="smcapa">E</span> <b></b>W<span class="smcapa">ILL</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">ULL</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">FTER</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HEM</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>S</b><span class="smcapa">TAND UP</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">TRAIGHT, AND</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">ON'T</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">ALK SO</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">UCH</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>V</b><span class="smcapa">IGOROUSLY</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">INKING AND</span> <b>B</b><span class="smcapa">LOWING</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HEY GOT ON</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">EMARKABLY</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">ELL</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HERE'S</span> <b>N</b><span class="smcapa">OTHIN' LIKE</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">AUSAGES FOR</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">HIPWRECK</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_39"><b>PART II</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> L<span class="smcapa">ECKS</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">ALKED</span> <b>B</b><span class="smcapa">OLDLY UP TO THE</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">RONT</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">OOR AND</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">LIED THE</span> <b>K</b><span class="smcapa">NOCKER</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>I C</b><span class="smcapa">LIMBED UP</span> <b>O</b><span class="smcapa">NE OF THE</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">OLUMNS</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>I G</b><span class="smcapa">UESS</span> <b>Y</b><span class="smcapa">OU'LL BE</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">OMFORTABLE</span>, <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">R.</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">RAIG</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HAT</span> <b>Y</b><span class="smcapa">ELLER</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">ROCK</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">LESHINE HAD BEEN</span> <b>H</b><span class="smcapa">ARD AT</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">ORK ALL THE</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">ORNING</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61">61</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[viii]</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>"T</b><span class="smcapa">HERE'S</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">NOTHER</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HING</span><b>," S</b><span class="smcapa">AID SHE</span><b>, "T</b><span class="smcapa">HAT I'VE</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HINKIN</span><b>' A</b><span class="smcapa">BOUT</span><b>"</b></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">ECKS AND</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">LESHINE</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">TANDING ON THE</span> <b>E</b><span class="smcapa">ND OF THE</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">ITTLE</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">HARF</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_74"><b>PART III</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">R.</span> <b>E</b><span class="smcapa">NDERTON WAS A</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">ERSON OF</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">NOTHER</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">ORT</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>I D</b><span class="smcapa">ID ALL THAT I</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">OULD TO</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">AKE</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">ISS</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">UTH'S</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">IME</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">ASS</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">GREEABLY</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HEY WERE</span> <b>E</b><span class="smcapa">VIDENTLY</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">AITING FOR</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">E</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>S</b><span class="smcapa">MOKING</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HEIR</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">IPES IN</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">EACE</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>I</b><span class="smcapa">T WAS</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">ERFECTLY</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">AFE</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>I K</b><span class="smcapa">NOWED</span> <b>I</b><span class="smcapa">T WAS ALL</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">IGHT</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HEY</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">SSISTED</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">UTH TO</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">RRAY</span> <b>H</b><span class="smcapa">ERSELF</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_115"><b>PART IV</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HE</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">SCENT OF THE</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">OUNTAIN WAS</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">LOW AND</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">EDIOUS</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>"W</b><span class="smcapa">HAT HAS</span> <b>H</b><span class="smcapa">APPENED?"</span> <b>I E</b><span class="smcapa">XCLAIMED</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">ECKS WAS</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">ITTING ON A</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">TONE</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>I S</b><span class="smcapa">OON HAD A</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">RACKLING</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">IRE</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>C</b><span class="smcapa">OULD</span> <b>Y</b><span class="smcapa">OU</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">END</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">E</span> <b>A S</b><span class="smcapa">MALL</span> <b>I</b><span class="smcapa">RON</span> <b>P</b><span class="smcapa">OT</span><b>?</b></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>W</b><span class="smcapa">E</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">ERE</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">BOUT TO</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">END</span> H<span class="smcapa">IM</span> <b>A B</b><span class="smcapa">ASKET</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_150">150,</a> <a href="#Page_150a">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_153"><b>PART V</b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>W</b><span class="smcapa">E</span> <b>B</b><span class="smcapa">EGAN TO</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">LIDE</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">OWNWARD</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_163">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>O</b><span class="smcapa">H</span>, <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">HICH IS</span> <b>E</b><span class="smcapa">MILY, AND</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">HICH IS</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">UCILLE</span><b>?</b></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>W</b><span class="smcapa">E</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">REW UP</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">BOUT THE</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">IRE</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>R</b><span class="smcapa">EVEALING THE</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">AMILIAR</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">AT</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">ITTLE</span> <b>G</b><span class="smcapa">INGER</span><b>-J</b><span class="smcapa">AR</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>R</b><span class="smcapa">UTH AND</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">ISS</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">UCILLE</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">TRUCK</span> <b>U</b><span class="smcapa">P</span> <b>A W</b><span class="smcapa">ARM</span> <b>A</b><span class="smcapa">CQUAINTANCE</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"> </td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl" colspan="2"><a href="#Page_197"><b>PART VI</b></a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[ix]</span></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HE</span> <b>I</b><span class="smcapa">MPIDENCE</span> <b>O</b><span class="smcapa">F</span> <b>H</b><span class="smcapa">IM</span><b>!</b></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>E</b><span class="smcapa">LIZABETH</span> <b>G</b><span class="smcapa">ROOTENHEIMER</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>"Y</b><span class="smcapa">OU</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">AN</span><b>!" S</b><span class="smcapa">HRIEKED</span> <b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">ECKS</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>H</b><span class="smcapa">E</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">ESPECTFULLY</span> <b>T</b><span class="smcapa">OUCHED IT WITH</span> <b>H</b><span class="smcapa">IS</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">IPS</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="tdl"><b>T</b><span class="smcapa">HE</span> <b>G</b><span class="smcapa">REATEST</span> <b>W</b><span class="smcapa">ORK OF</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">ECORATION WAS</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">ESERVED BY THE</span> <b>R</b><span class="smcapa">ED</span><b>-B</b><span class="smcapa">EARDED</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">OXSWAIN FOR</span> <b>H</b><span class="smcapa">IMSELF</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_000e" style="max-width: 56.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_000e.png" alt="Sketch of a house in tropics"> +</figure> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[1]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="THE_CASTING_AWAY_OF_MRS">THE CASTING AWAY OF MRS. LECKS AND MRS. ALESHINE</h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_001" style="max-width: 81.6875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_001.png" alt="A night view of the boat at sea"> +</figure> + + + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2>THE CASTING AWAY OF MRS. LECKS AND MRS. ALESHINE</h2> + + + + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="PART_I">PART I</h2> + + +<p>I was on my way from San Francisco to Yokohama, +when in a very desultory and gradual +manner I became acquainted with Mrs. Lecks and +Mrs. Aleshine. The steamer, on which I was making +a moderately rapid passage toward the land of the +legended fan and the lacquered box, carried a fair +complement of passengers, most of whom were Americans; +and, among these, my attention was attracted +from the very first day of the voyage to two middle-aged +women who appeared to me very unlike the ordinary +traveler or tourist. At first sight they might<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[2]</span> +have been taken for farmers' wives who, for some +unusual reason, had determined to make a voyage +across the Pacific; but, on closer observation, one +would have been more apt to suppose that they +belonged to the families of prosperous tradesmen +in some little country town, where, besides the arts +of rural housewifery, there would be opportunities +of becoming acquainted in some degree with the +ways and manners of the outside world. They +were not of that order of persons who generally +take first-class passages on steamships, but the stateroom +occupied by Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine was +one of the best in the vessel; and although they kept +very much to themselves, and showed no desire for the +company or notice of the other passengers, they evidently +considered themselves quite as good as any +one else, and with as much right to voyage to any +part of the world in any manner or style which +pleased them.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks was a rather tall woman, large-boned +and muscular, and her well-browned countenance gave +indications of that conviction of superiority which +gradually grows up in the minds of those who for a +long time have had absolute control of the destinies +of a state, or the multifarious affairs of a country +household. Mrs. Aleshine was somewhat younger +than her friend, somewhat shorter, and a great deal +fatter. She had the same air of reliance upon her +individual worth that characterized Mrs. Lecks, but +there was a certain geniality about her which indicated +that she would have a good deal of forbearance +for those who never had had the opportunity or the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[3]</span> +ability of becoming the thoroughly good housewife +which she was herself.</p> + +<p>These two worthy dames spent the greater part of +their time on deck, where they always sat together in +a place at the stern of the vessel which was well sheltered +from wind and weather. As they sat thus they +were generally employed in knitting, although this +occupation did not prevent them from keeping up +what seemed to me, as I passed them in my walks +about the deck, a continuous conversation. From +a question which Mrs. Lecks once asked me about a +distant sail, our acquaintance began. There was no +one on board for whose society I particularly cared, +and as there was something quaint and odd about +these countrywomen on the ocean which interested +me, I was glad to vary my solitary promenades by an +occasional chat with them. They were not at all +backward in giving me information about themselves. +They were both widows, and Mrs. Aleshine was going +out to Japan to visit a son who had a position there +in a mercantile house. Mrs. Lecks had no children, +and was accompanying her friend because, as she +said, she would not allow Mrs. Aleshine to make such +a voyage as that by herself, and because, being quite +able to do so, she did not know why she should not +see the world as well as other people.</p> + +<p>These two friends were not educated women. They +made frequent mistakes in their grammar, and a good +deal of Middle States provincialism showed itself in +their pronunciation and expressions. But although +they brought many of their rural ideas to sea with +them, they possessed a large share of that common<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[4]</span> +sense which is available anywhere, and they frequently +made use of it in a manner which was very +amusing to me. I think, also, that they found in me +a quarry of information concerning nautical matters, +foreign countries, and my own affairs, the working of +which helped to make us very good ship friends.</p> + +<p>Our steamer touched at the Sandwich Islands; and +it was a little more than two days after we left Honolulu +that, about nine o'clock in the evening, we had +the misfortune to come into collision with an eastern-bound +vessel. The fault was entirely due to the other +ship, the lookout on which, although the night was +rather dark and foggy, could easily have seen our +lights in time to avoid collision, if he had not been +asleep or absent from his post. Be this as it may, +this vessel, which appeared to be a small steamer, +struck us with great force near our bows, and then, +backing, disappeared into the fog, and we never saw +or heard of her again. The general opinion was that +she was injured very much more than we were, and +that she probably sank not very long after the accident; +for when the fog cleared away, about an hour +afterward, nothing could be seen of her lights.</p> + +<p>As it usually happens on occasions of accidents at +sea, the damage to our vessel was at first reported to +be slight; but it was soon discovered that our injuries +were serious and, indeed, disastrous. The hull of our +steamer had been badly shattered on the port bow, +and the water came in at a most alarming rate. For +nearly two hours the crew and many of the passengers +worked at the pumps, and everything possible was +done to stop the enormous leak; but all labor to save<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> +the vessel was found to be utterly unavailing, and a +little before midnight the captain announced that it +was impossible to keep the steamer afloat, and that we +must all take to the boats. The night was now clear, +the stars were bright, and, as there was but little +wind, the sea was comparatively smooth. With all +these advantages, the captain assured us that there +was no reason to apprehend danger, and he thought +that by noon of the following day we could easily +make a small inhabited island, where we could be +sheltered and cared for until we should be taken off +by some passing vessel.</p> + +<p>There was plenty of time for all necessary preparations, +and these were made with much order and +subordination. Some of the ladies among the cabin +passengers were greatly frightened, and inclined to +be hysterical. There were pale faces also among the +gentlemen. But everybody obeyed the captain's +orders, and all prepared themselves for the transfer +to the boats. The first officer came among us, and +told each of us what boats we were to take, and where +we were to place ourselves on deck. I was assigned to +a large boat which was to be principally occupied by +steerage passengers; and as I came up from my stateroom, +where I had gone to secure my money and some +portable valuables, I met on the companionway Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, who expressed considerable +dissatisfaction when they found that I was not going +in the boat with them. They, however, hurried below, +and I went on deck, where in about ten minutes I was +joined by Mrs. Lecks, who apparently had been looking +for me. She told me she had something very<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span> +particular to say to me, and conducted me toward the +stern of the vessel, where, behind one of the deck-houses, +we found Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp82" id="i_006" style="max-width: 58.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_006.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"DO YOU SEE THAT BOAT THERE?"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"Look here," said Mrs. Lecks, leading me to the +rail, and pointing downward; "do you see that boat +there? It has been let down, and there is nobody in +it. The boat on the other side has just gone off, full +to the brim. I never saw so many people crowded +into a boat. The other ones will be just as packed, I +expect. I don't see why we shouldn't take this empty +boat, now we've got a chance, instead of squeezin' +ourselves into those crowded ones. If any of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> +other people come afterward, why, we shall have our +choice of seats, and that's considerable of a p'int, I +should say, in a time like this."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Mrs. Aleshine; "and me and Mrs. +Lecks would 'a' got right in when we saw the boat +was empty, if we hadn't been afraid to be there without +any man, for it might have floated off, and neither +of us don't know nothin' about rowin'. And then Mrs. +Lecks she thought of you, supposin' a young man who +knew so much about the sea would know how to row."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said I; "but I cannot imagine why this +boat should have been left empty. I see a keg of +water in it, and the oars, and some tin cans, and so I +suppose it has been made ready for somebody. Will +you wait here a minute until I run forward and see +how things are going on there?"</p> + +<p>Amidships and forward I saw that there was some +confusion among the people who were not yet in their +boats, and I found that there was to be rather more +crowding than at first was expected. People who had +supposed that they were to go in a certain boat found +there no place, and were hurrying to other boats. It +now became plain to me that no time should be lost +in getting into the small boat which Mrs. Lecks had +pointed out, and which was probably reserved for +some favored persons, as the officers were keeping the +people forward and amidships, the other stern-boat +having already departed. But as I acknowledged no +reason why any one should be regarded with more +favor than myself and the two women who were +waiting for me, I slipped quietly aft, and joined Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span></p> + +<p>"We must get in as soon as we can," said I, in a +low voice, "for this boat may be discovered, and then +there will be a rush for it. I suspect it may have been +reserved for the captain and some of the officers, but +we have as much right in it as they."</p> + +<p>"And more too," replied Mrs. Lecks; "for we had +nothin' to do with the steerin' and smashin'."</p> + +<p>"But how are we goin' to get down there?" said +Mrs. Aleshine. "There's no steps."</p> + +<p>"That is true," said I. "I shouldn't wonder if this +boat is to be taken forward when the others are filled. +We must scramble down as well as we can by the +tackle at the bow and stern. I'll get in first and +keep her close to the ship's side."</p> + +<p>"That's goin' to be a scratchy business," said Mrs. +Lecks, "and I'm of the opinion we ought to wait till +the ship has sunk a little more, so we'll be nearer to +the boat."</p> + +<p>"It won't do to wait," said I, "or we shall not get +in it at all."</p> + +<p>"And goodness gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, +"I can't stand here and feel the ship sinkin' +cold-blooded under me, till we've got where we can +make an easy jump!"</p> + +<p>"Very well, then," said Mrs. Lecks, "we won't wait. +But the first thing to be done is for each one of us to +put on one of these life-preservers. Two of them I +brought from Mrs. Aleshine's and my cabin, and the +other one I got next door, where the people had gone +off and left it on the floor. I thought if anythin' +happened on the way to the island, these would give +us a chance to look about us; but it seems to me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> +we'll need 'em more gettin' down them ropes than +anywhere else. I did intend puttin' on two myself to +make up for Mrs. Aleshine's fat; but you must wear +one of 'em, sir, now that you are goin' to join the party."</p> + +<p>As I knew that two life-preservers would not be +needed by Mrs. Lecks, and would greatly inconvenience +her, I accepted the one offered me, but declined +to put it on until it should be necessary, as it would +interfere with my movements.</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Mrs. Lecks, "if you think you +are safe in gettin' down without it. But Mrs. Aleshine +and me will put ours on before we begin sailor-scramblin'. +We know how to do it, for we tried 'em +on soon after we started from San Francisco. And +now, Barb'ry Aleshine, are you sure you've got everythin' +you want? for it'll be no use thinkin' about +anythin' you've forgot after the ship has sunk out of +sight."</p> + +<p>"There's nothin' else I can think of," said Mrs. +Aleshine; "at least, nothin' I can carry; and so I suppose +we may as well begin, for your talk of the ship +sinkin' under our feet gives me a sort o' feelin' like an +oyster creepin' up and down my back."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks looked over the side at the boat, into +which I had already descended. "I'll go first, Barb'ry +Aleshine," said she, "and show you how."</p> + +<p>The sea was quiet, and the steamer had already +sunk so much that Mrs. Lecks's voice sounded frightfully +near me, although she spoke in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Watch me," said she to her companion. "I'm +goin' to do just as he did, and you must follow in the +same way."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span></p> + +<p>So saying, she stepped on a bench by the rail; then, +with one foot on the rail itself, she seized the ropes +which hung from one of the davits to the bow of the +boat. She looked down for a moment, and then she +drew back.</p> + +<p>"It's no use," she said. "We must wait until she +sinks more, and I can get in easier."</p> + +<p>This remark made me feel nervous. I did not know +at what moment there might be a rush for this boat, +nor when, indeed, the steamer might go down. The +boat amidships on our side had rowed away some +minutes before, and through the darkness I could +distinguish another boat, near the bows, pushing off. +It would be too late now for us to try to get into any +other boat, and I did not feel that there was time +enough for me to take this one to a place where the +two women could more easily descend to her. Standing +upright, I urged them not to delay.</p> + +<p>"You see," said I, "I can reach you as soon as you +swing yourself off the ropes, and I'll help you down."</p> + +<p>"If you're sure you can keep us from comin' down +too sudden, we'll try it," said Mrs. Lecks; "but I'd +as soon be drowned as to get to an island with a broken +leg. And as to Mrs. Aleshine, if she was to slip she'd +go slam through that boat to the bottom of the sea. +Now, then, be ready! I'm comin' down."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span></p> + +<figure class="figright illowp22" id="i_011" style="max-width: 14.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_011.png" alt="Getting into a lifeboat"> +</figure> + +<p>So saying, she swung herself off, and she was then so near me that I +was able to seize her and make the rest of her descent comparatively +easy. Mrs. Aleshine proved to be a more difficult subject. Even after I +had a firm grasp of her capacious waist she refused to let go the ropes, +for fear that she might drop into the ocean instead of the boat. But the +reproaches of Mrs. Lecks and the downward weight of myself made her +loosen her nervous grip; and, although we came very near going overboard +together, I safely placed her on one of the thwarts.</p> + +<p>I now unhooked the tackle from the stern; but before casting off at the +bow I hesitated, for I did not wish to desert any of those who might be +expecting to embark in this boat. But I could hear not approaching +footsteps, and from my position, close to the side of the steamer, I +could see nothing. Therefore I cast off, and, taking the oars, I pushed +away and rowed to a little distance, where I could get whatever view was +possible of the deck of the steamer. Seeing no forms moving about, I +called out, and, receiving no answer, I shouted again at the top of my +voice. I waited for nearly a minute, and, hearing nothing and seeing +nothing, I became convinced that no one was left on the vessel.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span></p> + +<p>"They are all gone," said I, "and we will pull after +them as fast as we can."</p> + +<p>And I began to row toward the bow of the steamer, +in the direction which the other boats had taken.</p> + +<p>"It's a good thing you can row," said Mrs. Lecks, +settling herself comfortably in the stern-sheets, "for +what Mrs. Aleshine and me would ha' done with them +oars I am sure I don't know."</p> + +<p>"I'd never have got into this boat," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"if Mr. Craig hadn't been here."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed," replied her friend. "You'd ha' gone +to the bottom, hangin' for dear life to them ropes."</p> + +<p>When I had rounded the bow of the steamer, which +appeared to me to be rapidly settling in the water, I +perceived at no great distance several lights, which of +course belonged to the other boats, and I rowed as +hard as I could, hoping to catch up with them, or at +least to keep sufficiently near. It might be my duty +to take off some of the people who had crowded into +the other boats, probably supposing that this one had +been loaded and gone. How such a mistake could +have taken place I could not divine, and it was not +my business to do so. Quite certain that no one was +left on the sinking steamer, all I had to do was to row +after the other boats, and to overtake them as soon +as possible. I thought it would not take me very long +to do this, but after rowing for half an hour, Mrs. +Aleshine remarked that the lights seemed as far off, +if not farther, than when we first started after them.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span> +Turning, I saw that this was the case, and was greatly +surprised. With only two passengers I ought soon +to have come up with those heavily laden boats. But +after I had thought over it a little, I considered that +as each of them was probably pulled by half a dozen +stout sailors, it was not so very strange that they +should make as good or better headway than I did.</p> + +<p>It was not very long after this that Mrs. Lecks said +that she thought that the lights on the other boats +must be going out, and that this, most probably, was +due to the fact that the sailors had forgotten to fill +their lanterns before they started. "That sort of +thing often happens," she said, "when people leave a +place in a hurry."</p> + +<p>But when I turned around, and peered over the +dark waters, it was quite plain to me that it was not +want of oil, but increased distance, which made those +lights so dim. I could now perceive but three of them, +and as the surface was agitated only by a gentle swell, +I could not suppose that any of them were hidden +from our view by waves. We were being left behind, +that was certain, and all I could do was to row on as +long and as well as I could in the direction which the +other boats had taken. I had been used to rowing, +and thought I pulled a good oar, and I certainly did +not expect to be left behind in this way.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe this boat has been emptied out +since the last rain," said Mrs. Aleshine, "for my feet +are wet, though I didn't notice it before."</p> + +<p>At this I shipped my oars, and began to examine +the boat. The bottom was covered with a movable +floor of slats, and as I put my hand down I could feel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +the water welling up between the slats. The flooring +was in sections, and lifting the one beneath me, I felt +under it, and put my hand into six or eight inches of +water.</p> + +<p>The exact state of the case was now as plain to me +as if it had been posted up on a bulletin-board. This +boat had been found to be unseaworthy, and its use +had been forbidden, all the people having been crowded +into the others. This had caused confusion at the last +moment, and, of course, we were supposed to be on +some one of the other boats.</p> + +<p>And now here was I, in the middle of the Pacific +Ocean, in a leaky boat, with two middle-aged women!</p> + +<p>"Anythin' the matter with the floor!" asked Mrs. +Lecks.</p> + +<p>I let the section fall back into its place, and looked +aft. By the starlight I could see that my two companions +had each fixed upon me a steadfast gaze. +They evidently felt that something was the matter, +and wanted to know what it was. I did not hesitate +for a moment to inform them. They appeared to me +to be women whom it would be neither advisable nor +possible to deceive in a case like this.</p> + +<p>"This boat has a leak in it," I said. "There is a lot +of water in her already, and that is the reason we have +got along so slowly."</p> + +<p>"And that is why," said Mrs. Aleshine, "it was left +empty. We ought to have known better than to expect +to have a whole boat just for three of us. It +would have been much more sensible, I think, if we +had tried to squeeze into one of the others."</p> + +<p>"Now, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "don't<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> +you begin findin' fault with good fortune, when it +comes to you. Here we've got a comfortable boat, +with room enough to set easy and stretch out if we +want to. If the water is comin' in, what we've got to +do is to get it out again just as fast as we can. What's +the best way to do that, Mr. Craig?"</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_015" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_015.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"WE WILL PULL AFTER THEM."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"We must bail her out, and lose no time about it," +said I. "If I can find the leak I may be able to stop +it."</p> + +<p>I now looked about for something to bail with, and +the two women aided actively in the search. I found +one leather scoop in the bow; but as it was well that +we should all go to work, I took two tin cans that had +been put in by some one who had begun to provision +the boat, and proceeded to cut the tops from them +with my jack-knife.</p> + +<p>"Don't lose what's in 'em," said Mrs. Lecks; "that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +is, if it's anythin' we'd be likely to want to eat. If +it's tomatoes, pour it into the sea, for nobody ought +to eat tomatoes put up in tins."</p> + +<p>I hastily passed the cans to Mrs. Lecks, and I saw +her empty the contents of one into the sea, and those +of the other on a newspaper which she took from her +pocket and placed in the stern.</p> + +<p>I pulled up the movable floor and threw it overboard, +and then began to bail.</p> + +<p>"I thought," said Mrs. Aleshine, "that they always +had pumps for leaks."</p> + +<p>"Now, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "just +gether yourself up on one of them seats, and go to +work. The less talkin' we do, and the more scoopin', +the better it'll be for us."</p> + +<p>I soon perceived that it would have been difficult to +find two more valuable assistants in the bailing of a +boat than Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. They were +evidently used to work, and were able to accommodate +themselves to the unusual circumstances in which they +were placed. We threw out the water very rapidly, +and every little while I stopped bailing and felt about +to see if I could discover where it came in. As these +attempts met with no success, I gave them up after a +time, and set about bailing with new vigor, believing +that if we could get the boat nearly dry I should +surely be able to find the leak.</p> + +<p>But, after working half an hour more, I found that +the job would be a long one; and if we all worked +at once we would all be tired out at once, and that +might be disastrous. Therefore I proposed that we +should take turns in resting, and Mrs. Aleshine was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> +ordered to stop work for a time. After this Mrs. +Lecks took a rest, and when she went to work I +stopped bailing and began again to search for the +leak.</p> + +<p>For about two hours we worked in this way, and +then I concluded it was useless to continue any longer +this vain exertion. With three of us bailing we were +able to keep the water at the level we first found it; +but with only two at work, it slightly gained upon us, +so that now there was more water in the boat than +when we first discovered it. The boat was an iron +one, and the leak in it I could neither find nor remedy. +It had probably been caused by the warping of the +metal under a hot sun, an accident which, I am told, +frequently occurs to iron boats. The little craft, +which would have been a life-boat had its air-boxes +remained intact, was now probably leaking from stem +to stern; and in searching for the leak without the +protection of the flooring, my weight had doubtless +assisted in opening the seams, for it was quite plain +that the water was now coming in more rapidly than +it did at first. We were very tired, and even Mrs. +Lecks, who had all along counseled us to keep at work, +and not to waste one breath in talking, now admitted +that it was of no use to try to get the water out of +that boat.</p> + +<p>It had been some hours since I had used the oars, +but whether we had drifted, or remained where we +were when I stopped rowing, of course I could not +know; but this mattered very little; our boat was +slowly sinking beneath us, and it could make no +difference whether we went down in one spot or an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span> +other. I sat and racked my brain to think what +could be done in this fearful emergency. To bail any +longer was useless labor, and what else was there that +we could do?</p> + +<p>"When will it be time," asked Mrs. Lecks, "for us +to put on the life-preservers? When the water gets +nearly to the seats?"</p> + +<p>I answered that we should not wait any longer than +that, but in my own mind I could not see any advantage +in putting them on at all. Why should we wish +to lengthen our lives by a few hours of helpless floating +upon the ocean?</p> + +<p>"Very good," said Mrs. Lecks; "I'll keep a watch +on the water. One of them cans was filled with lobster, +which would be more than likely to disagree +with us, and I've throwed it out; but the other had +baked beans in it, and the best thing we can do is to +eat some of these right away. They are mighty +nourishin', and will keep up strength as well as anythin', +and then, as you said there's a keg of water in +the boat, we can all take a drink of that, and it'll +make us feel like new cre'tur's. You'll have to take +the beans in your hands, for we've got no spoons nor +forks."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine were each curled up +out of reach of the water, the first in the stern, and +the other on the aft thwart. The day was now beginning +to break, and we could see about us very distinctly. +Before reaching out her hands to receive +her beans, Mrs. Aleshine washed them in the water in +the boat, remarking at the same time that she might +as well make use of it since it was there. Having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> +then wiped her hands on some part of her apparel, +they were filled with beans from the newspaper held +by Mrs. Lecks, and these were passed over to me. I +was very hungry, and when I had finished my beans +I agreed with my companions that although they +would have been a great deal better if heated up with +butter, pepper, and salt, they were very comforting +as they were. One of the empty cans was now passed +to me, and after having been asked by Mrs. Lecks to +rinse it out very carefully, we all satisfied our taste +from the water in the keg.</p> + +<p>"Cold baked beans and lukewarm water ain't exactly +company vittles," said Mrs. Aleshine, "but there's +many a poor wretch would be glad to get 'em."</p> + +<p>I could not imagine any poor wretch who would be +glad of the food together with the attending circumstances; +but I did not say so.</p> + +<p>"The water is just one finger from the bottom of +the seat," said Mrs. Lecks, who had been stooping +over to measure, "and it's time to put on the life-preservers."</p> + +<p>"Very good," said Mrs. Aleshine; "hand me mine."</p> + +<p>Each of us now buckled on a life-preserver, and as +I did so I stood up upon a thwart and looked about +me. It was quite light now, and I could see for a +long distance over the surface of the ocean, which +was gently rolling in wide, smooth swells. As we +rose upon the summit of one of these I saw a dark +spot upon the water, just on the edge of our near +horizon, "Is that the steamer?" I thought; "and +has she not yet sunk?"</p> + +<p>At this there came to me a glimmering of courageous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> +hope. If the steamer had remained afloat so long, +it was probable that on account of water-tight compartments, +or for some other reason, her sinking had +reached its limit, and that if we could get back to her +we might be saved. But, alas, how were we to get +back to her? This boat would sink long, long before +I could row that distance.</p> + +<p>However, I soon proclaimed the news to my companions, +whereupon Mrs. Aleshine prepared to stand +upon a thwart and see for herself. But Mrs. Lecks +restrained her.</p> + +<p>"Don't make things worse, Barb'ry Aleshine," said +she, "by tumblin' overboard. If we've got to go into +the water, let us do it decently and in order. If that's +the ship, Mr. Craig, don't you suppose we can float +ourselves to it in some way?"</p> + +<p>I replied that by the help of a life-preserver a person +who could swim might reach the ship.</p> + +<p>"But neither of us can swim," said Mrs. Lecks, "for +we've lived where the water was never more'n a foot +deep, except in time of freshets, when there's no +swimmin' for man or beast. But if we see you swim, +perhaps we can follow, after a fashion. At any rate, +we must do the best we can, and that's all there is to +be done."</p> + +<p>"The water now," remarked Mrs. Aleshine, "is so +near to the bottom of my seat that I've got to stand +up, tumble overboard or no."</p> + +<p>"All right," remarked Mrs. Lecks; "we'd better +all stand up, and let the boat sink under us. That +will save our jumpin' overboard, or rollin' out any +which way, which might be awkward."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span></p> + +<p>"Goodness gracious me!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine. +"You set the oysters creepin' over me again! +First you talk of the ship sinkin' under us, and now +it's the boat goin' to the bottom under our feet. Before +any sinkin' 's to be done I'd ruther get out."</p> + +<p>"Now, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "stand +up straight, and don't talk so much. It'll be a great +deal better to be let down gradual than to flop into +the water all of a bunch."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Mrs. Aleshine; "it may be best +to get used to it by degrees; but I must say I wish I +was home."</p> + +<p>As for me, I would have much preferred to jump +overboard at once, instead of waiting in this cold-blooded +manner; but as my companions had so far +preserved their presence of mind, I did not wish to do +anything which might throw them into a panic. I +believed there would be no danger from the suction +caused by the sinking of a small boat like this, and if +we took care not to entangle ourselves with it in any +way, we might as well follow Mrs. Lecks's advice as +not. So we all stood up, Mrs. Lecks in the stern, I +in the bow, and Mrs. Aleshine on a thwart between +us. The last did not appear to have quite room +enough for a steady footing, but, as she remarked, it +did not matter very much, as the footing, broad or +narrow, would not be there very long.</p> + +<p>I am used to swimming, and have never hesitated +to take a plunge into river or ocean, but I must admit +that it was very trying to my nerves to stand up this +way and wait for a boat to sink beneath me. How +the two women were affected I do not know. They<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +said nothing, but their faces indicated that something +disagreeable was about to happen, and that the less +that was said about it the better.</p> + +<p>The boat had now sunk so much that the water +was around Mrs. Aleshine's feet, her standing-place +being rather lower than ours. I made myself certain +that there were no ropes nor any other means of entanglement +near my companions or myself, and then +I waited. There seemed to be a good deal of buoyancy +in the bow and stern of the boat, and it was a +frightfully long time in sinking. The suspense became +so utterly unendurable that I was tempted to +put one foot on the edge of the boat, and, by tipping +it, put an end to this nerve-rack; but I refrained, for +I probably would throw the women off their balance, +when they might fall against some part of the boat, +and do themselves a hurt. I had just relinquished +this intention, when two little waves seemed to rise +one on each side of Mrs. Aleshine, and gently flowing +over the side of the boat, they flooded her feet with +water.</p> + +<p>"Hold your breaths!" I shouted. And now I experienced +a sensation which must have been very like +that which comes to a condemned criminal at the first +indication of the pulling of the drop. Then there +was a horrible sinking, a gurgle, and a swash, and the +ocean over which I had been gazing appeared to rise +up and envelop me.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp49" id="i_023" style="max-width: 35.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_023.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"STAND UP STRAIGHT, AND DONT TALK SO MUCH."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In a moment, however, my head was out of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24"></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +water, and, looking hastily about me, I saw, close by, +the heads and shoulders of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. +The latter was vigorously winking her eyes +and blowing from her mouth some sea-water that had +got into it; but as soon as her eyes fell upon me she +exclaimed: "That was ever so much more suddint +than I thought it was goin' +to be!"</p> + +<figure class="figright illowp75" id="i_024" style="max-width: 28.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_024.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"VIGOROUSLY WINKING AND BLOWING."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"Are you both all right?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose I am," said +Mrs. Aleshine, "but I never +thought that a person with +a life-preserver on would go +clean under the water."</p> + +<p>"But since you've come +up again, you ought to be +satisfied," said Mrs. Lecks. +"And now," she added, +turning her face toward me, "which way ought we +to try to swim? and have we got everythin' we want +to take with us?"</p> + +<p>"What we haven't got we can't get," remarked +Mrs. Aleshine; "and as for swimmin', I expect I'm +goin' to make a poor hand at it."</p> + +<p>I had a hope, which was not quite strong enough to +be a belief, that, supported by their life-preservers, +the two women might paddle themselves along; and +that, by giving them in turn a helping hand, I might +eventually get them to the steamer. There was a +strong probability that I would not succeed, but I +did not care to think of that.</p> + +<p>I now swam in front of my companions, and endeavored +to instruct them in the best method of propelling +themselves with their arms and their hands. +If they succeeded in this, I thought I would give them +some further lessons in striking out with their feet. +After watching me attentively, Mrs. Lecks did manage +to move herself slowly through the smooth water, +but poor Mrs. Aleshine could do nothing but splash.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span></p> + +<p>"If there was anythin' to take hold of," she said to +me, "I might get along; but I can't get any grip on +the water, though you seem to do it well enough. +Look there!" she added in a higher voice. "Isn't +that an oar floatin' over there? If you can get that +for me, I believe I can row myself much better than +I can swim."</p> + +<p>This seemed an odd idea, but I swam over to the +floating oar, and brought it her. I was about to +show her how she could best use it, but she declined +my advice.</p> + +<p>"If I do it at all," she said, "I must do it in my own +way." And taking the oar in her strong hands, she +began to ply it on the water very much in the way in +which she would handle a broom. At first she dipped +the blade too deeply, but, correcting this error, she +soon began to paddle herself along at a slow but +steady rate.</p> + +<p>"Capital!" I cried. "You do that admirably!"</p> + +<p>"Anybody who's swept as many rooms as I have," +she said, "ought to be able to handle anythin' that +can be used like a broom."</p> + +<p>"Isn't there another oar?" cried Mrs. Lecks, who +had now been left a little distance behind us. "If +there is, I want one."</p> + +<p>Looking about me, I soon discovered another floating +oar, and brought it to Mrs. Lecks, who, after +holding it in various positions, so as to get "the hang<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +of it," as she said, soon began to use it with as much +skill as that shown by her friend. If either of them +had been obliged to use an oar in the ordinary way, I +fear they would have had a bad time of it; but, considering +the implement in the light of a broom, its +use immediately became familiar to them, and they +got on remarkably well.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="i_027" style="max-width: 43.5625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_027.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"THEY GOT ON REMARKABLY WELL."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span></p> + +<p>I now took a position a little in advance of my +companions, and as I swam slowly they were easily +able to keep up with me. Mrs. Aleshine, being so +stout, floated much higher out of the water than either +Mrs. Lecks or I, and this permitted her to use her oar +with a great deal of freedom. Sometimes she would +give such a vigorous brush to the water that she +would turn herself almost entirely around, but after +a little practice she learned to avoid undue efforts +of this kind.</p> + +<p>I was not positively sure that we were going in the +right direction, for my position did not allow me to +see very far over the water; but I remembered that +when I was standing up in the boat, and made my +discovery, the sun was just about to rise in front of +me, while the dark spot on the ocean lay to my left. +Judging, therefore, from the present position of the +sun, which was not very high, I concluded that we +were moving toward the north, and therefore in the +right direction. How far off the steamer might be I +had no idea, for I was not accustomed to judging +distances at sea; but I believed that if we were careful +of our strength, and if the ocean continued as +smooth as it now was, we might eventually reach the +vessel, provided she were yet afloat.</p> + +<p>"After you are fairly in the water," said Mrs. Aleshine, +as she swept along, although without the velocity +which that phrase usually implies, "it isn't half so +bad as I thought it would be. For one thing, it don't +feel a bit salt, although I must say it tasted horribly +that way when I first went into it."</p> + +<p>"You didn't expect to find pickle-brine, did you?"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> +said Mrs. Lecks. "Though, if it was, I suppose we +could float on it settin'."</p> + +<p>"And as to bein' cold," said Mrs. Aleshine, "the +part of me that's in is actually more comfortable than +that which is out."</p> + +<p>"There's one thing I would have been afraid of," +said Mrs. Lecks, "if we hadn't made preparations for +it, and that's sharks."</p> + +<p>"Preparations!" I exclaimed. "How in the world +did you prepare for sharks?"</p> + +<p>"Easy enough," said Mrs. Lecks. "When we went +down into our room to get ready to go away in the +boats we both put on black stockin's. I've read that +sharks never bite colored people, although if they see +a white man in the water they'll snap him up as quick +as lightnin'; and black stockin's was the nearest we +could come to it. You see, I thought as like as not +we'd have some sort of an upset before we got +through."</p> + +<p>"It's a great comfort," remarked Mrs. Aleshine, +"and I'm very glad you thought of it, Mrs. Lecks. +After this I shall make it a rule: Black stockin's for +sharks."</p> + +<p>"I suppose in your case," said Mrs. Lecks, addressing +me, "dark trousers will do as well."</p> + +<p>To which I answered that I sincerely hoped they would.</p> + +<p>"Another thing I'm thankful for," said Mrs. Aleshine, "is that I thought to put on a flannel skeert."</p> + +<p>"And what's the good of it," said Mrs. Lecks, "when it's soppin' wet?"</p> + +<p>"Flannel's flannel," replied her friend, "whether<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> +it's wet or dry; and if you'd had the rheumatism as +much as I have, you'd know it."</p> + +<p>To this Mrs. Lecks replied with a sniff, and asked +me how soon I thought we would get sight of the +ship; for if we were going the wrong way, and had to +turn round and go back, it would certainly be very +provoking.</p> + +<p>I should have been happy indeed to be able to give +a satisfactory answer to this question. Every time +that we rose upon a swell I threw a rapid glance +around the whole circle of the horizon; and at last, +not a quarter of an hour after Mrs. Lecks's question, +I was rejoiced to see, almost in the direction in which +I supposed it ought to be, the dark spot which I had +before discovered. I shouted the glad news, and as +we rose again my companions strained their eyes in +the direction to which I pointed. They both saw it, +and were greatly satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Now, then," said Mrs. Aleshine, "it seems as if +there was somethin' to work for"; and she began to +sweep her oar with great vigor.</p> + +<p>"If you want to tire yourself out before you get +there, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "you'd +better go on in that way. Now what I advise is +that we stop rowin' altogether, and have somethin' +to eat; for I'm sure we need it to keep up our +strength."</p> + +<p>"Eat!" I cried. "What are you going to eat? Do +you expect to catch fish?"</p> + +<p>"And eat 'em raw?" said Mrs. Lecks. "I should +think not. But do you suppose, Mr. Craig, that Mrs. +Aleshine and me would go off and leave that ship<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> +without takin' somethin' to eat by the way? Let's +all gether here in a bunch, and see what sort of a +meal we can make. And now, Barb'ry Aleshine, +if you lay your oar down there on the water, I +recommend you to tie it to one of your bonnet-strings, +or it'll be floatin' away, and you won't get +it again."</p> + +<p>As she said this, Mrs. Lecks put her right hand +down into the water, and fumbled about, apparently +in search of a pocket. I could not but smile as I +thought of the condition of food when, for an hour +or more, it had been a couple of feet under the +surface of the ocean; but my ideas on the subject +were entirely changed when I saw Mrs. Lecks hold +up in the air two German sausages, and shake the +briny drops from their smooth and glittering surfaces.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_031" style="max-width: 56.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_031.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"'THERE'S NOTHIN' LIKE SAUSAGES FOR SHIPWRECK.'"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"There's nothin'," she said, "like sausages for +shipwreck and that kind o' thing. They're very sustainin', +and bein' covered with a tight skin, water can't<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> +get at 'em, no matter how you carry 'em. I wouldn't +bring these out in the boat, because, havin' the beans, +we might as well eat them. Have you a knife about +you, Mr. Craig?"</p> + +<p>I produced a dripping jack-knife, and after the open +blade had been waved in the air to dry it a little, Mrs. +Lecks proceeded to divide one of the sausages, handing +the other to me to hold meanwhile.</p> + +<p>"Now don't go eatin' sausages without bread, if +you don't want 'em to give you dyspepsy," said +Mrs. Aleshine, who was tugging at a submarine +pocket.</p> + +<p>"I'm very much afraid your bread is all soaked," +said Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>To which her friend replied that that remained to +be seen, and forthwith produced, with a splash, a glass +preserve-jar with a metal top.</p> + +<p>"I saw this nearly empty, as I looked into the ship's +pantry, and I stuffed into it all the soft biscuits it +would hold. There was some sort of jam left at the +bottom, so that the one who gets the last biscuit will +have somethin' of a little spread on it. And now, +Mrs. Lecks," she continued triumphantly, as she unscrewed +the top, "that rubber ring has kept 'em as +dry as chips. I'm mighty glad of it, for I had trouble +enough gettin' this jar into my pocket, and gettin' it +out, too, for that matter."</p> + +<p>Floating thus, with our hands and shoulders above +the water, we made a very good meal from the sausages +and soft biscuit.</p> + +<p>"Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, as her friend +proceeded to cut the second sausage, "don't you lay<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> +that knife down, when you've done with it, as if +'t was an oar; for if you do it'll sink, as like as not, +about six miles. I've read that the ocean is as deep +as that in some places."</p> + +<p>"Goodness gracious me!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, +"I hope we are not over one of them deep spots."</p> + +<p>"There's no knowin'," said Mrs. Lecks, "but if it's +more comfortin' to think it's shallerer, we'll make up +our minds that way. Now, then," she continued, +"we'll finish off this meal with a little somethin' to +drink. I'm not given to takin' spirits, but I never +travel without a little whisky, ready mixed with water, +to take if it should be needed."</p> + +<p>So saying, she produced from one of her pockets a +whisky-flask tightly corked, and of its contents we +each took a sip, Mrs. Aleshine remarking that, leaving +out being chilled or colicky, we were never likely to +need it more than now.</p> + +<p>Thus refreshed and strengthened, Mrs. Lecks and +Mrs. Aleshine took up their oars, while I swam slightly +in advance, as before. When, with occasional intermissions +of rest, and a good deal of desultory conversation, +we had swept and swam for about an hour, +Mrs. Lecks suddenly exclaimed: "I can see that thing +ever so much plainer now, and I don't believe it's a +ship at all. To me it looks like bushes."</p> + +<p>"You're mighty long-sighted without your specs," +said Mrs. Aleshine, "and I'm not sure but what +you're right."</p> + +<p>For ten minutes or more I had been puzzling over +the shape of the dark spot, which was now nearly all +the time in sight. Its peculiar form had filled me<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +with a dreadful fear that it was the steamer, bottom +upward, although I knew enough about nautical +matters to have no good reason to suppose that this +could be the case. I am not far-sighted, but when +Mrs. Lecks suggested bushes, I gazed at the distant +object with totally different ideas, and soon began +to believe that it was not a ship, either right side up +or wrong side up, but that it might be an island. +This belief I proclaimed to my companions, and for +some time we all worked with increased energy in the +desire to get near enough to make ourselves certain +in regard to this point.</p> + +<p>"As true as I'm standin' here," said Mrs. Lecks, +who, although she could not read without spectacles, +had remarkably good sight at long range, "them is +trees and bushes that I see before me, though they do +seem to be growin' right out of the water."</p> + +<p>"There's an island under them; you may be sure +of that!" I cried. "Isn't this ever so much better +than a sinking ship!"</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure about that," said Mrs. Aleshine. +"I'm used to the ship, and as long as it didn't +sink I'd prefer it. There's plenty to eat on board of +it, and good beds to sleep on, which is more than can +be expected on a little bushy place like that ahead of +us. But then, the ship might sink all of a suddint, +beds, vittles, and all."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose that is the island the other boats +went to?" asked Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>This question I had already asked of myself. I had +been told that the island to which the captain intended +to take his boats lay about thirty miles south of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> +point where we left the steamer. Now I knew very +well that we had not come thirty miles, and had reason +to believe, moreover, that the greater part of the +progress we had made had been toward the north. It +was not at all probable that the position of this island +was unknown to our captain; and it must, therefore, +have been considered by him as an unsuitable place +for the landing of his passengers. There might be +many reasons for this unsuitableness: the island +might be totally barren and desolate; it might be the +abode of unpleasant natives; and, more important +than anything else, it was, in all probability, a spot +where steamers never touched.</p> + +<p>But, whatever its disadvantages, I was most wildly +desirous to reach it; more so, I believe, than either of +my companions. I do not mean that they were not +sensible of their danger, and desirous to be freed from +it; but they were women who had probably had a rough +time of it during a great part of their lives, and on +emerging from their little circle of rural experiences, +accepted with equanimity, and almost as a matter of +course, the rough times which come to people in the +great outside world.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe," I said, in answer to Mrs. Lecks, +"that that is the island to which the captain would +have taken us; but, whatever it is, it is dry land, and +we must get there as soon as we can."</p> + +<p>"That's true," said Mrs. Aleshine, "for I'd like to +have ground nearer to my feet than six miles; and if +we don't find anything to eat and any place to sleep +when we get there, it's no more than can be said of +the place where we are now."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span></p> + +<p>"You're too particular, Barb'ry Aleshine," said +Mrs. Lecks, "about your comforts. If you find the +ground too hard to sleep on, when you get there, you +can put on your life-preserver, and go to bed in the +water."</p> + +<p>"Very good," said Mrs. Aleshine; "and if these +islands are made of coral, as I've heard they are, +and if they're as full of small p'ints as some coral +I've got at home, you'll be glad to take a berth by +me, Mrs. Lecks."</p> + +<p>I counseled my companions to follow me as rapidly +as possible, and we all pushed vigorously forward. +When we had approached near enough to the island +to see what sort of place it really was, we perceived +that it was a low-lying spot, apparently covered with +verdure, and surrounded, as far as we could see as +we rose on the swells, by a rocky reef, against which +a tolerably high surf was running.</p> + +<p>I knew enough of the formation of these coral +islands to suppose that within this reef was a lagoon +of smooth water, into which there were openings +through the rocky barrier. It was necessary +to try to find one of these, for it would be difficult +and perhaps dangerous to attempt to land through +the surf.</p> + +<p>Before us we could see a continuous line of white-capped +breakers, and so I led my little party to the +right, hoping that we would soon see signs of an +opening in the reef.</p> + +<p>We swam and paddled, however, for a long time, +and still the surf rolled menacingly on the rocks before +us. We were now as close to the island as we could<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +approach with safety, and I determined to circumnavigate +it, if necessary, before I would attempt, with +these two women, to land upon that jagged reef. At +last we perceived, at no great distance before us, a +spot where there seemed to be no breakers; and when +we reached it we found, to our unutterable delight, +that here was smooth water flowing through a wide +opening in the reef. The rocks were piled up quite +high, and the reef, at this point at least, was a wide +one, but as we neared the opening we found that it +narrowed very soon, and made a turn to the left, +so that from the outside we could not see into the +lagoon.</p> + +<p>I swam into this smooth water, followed closely by +Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, who, however, soon became +unable to use their oars, owing to the proximity +of the rocks. Dropping these useful implements, they +managed to paddle after me with their hands, and +they were as much astonished as I was when, just after +making the slight turn, we found stretched across the +narrow passage a great iron bar about eight or ten +inches above the water. A little farther on, and two +or three feet above the water, another iron bar extended +from one rocky wall to the other. Without +uttering a word I examined the lower bar, and found +one end of it fastened by means of a huge padlock to +a great staple driven into the rock. The lock was +securely wrapped in what appeared to be tarred canvas. +A staple through an eyehole in the bar secured the +other end of it to the rocks.</p> + +<p>"These bars were put here," I exclaimed, "to keep +out boats, whether at high or low water. You see<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +they can only be thrown out of the way by taking off +the padlocks."</p> + +<p>"They won't keep us out," said Mrs. Lecks, "for +we can duck under. I suppose whoever put 'em here +didn't expect anybody to arrive on life-preservers."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp76" id="i_038" style="max-width: 31.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_038.png" alt="Two sharks looking up at debris"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="PART_II">PART II</h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_039" style="max-width: 53.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_039.png" alt="Mrs. Aleshine almost disappeared beneath the water"> +</figure> + +<p>Adopting Mrs. Lecks's suggestion, I "ducked" +my head under the bar, and passed to the +other side of it. Mrs. Lecks, with but little trouble, +followed my example; but Mrs. Aleshine, who, by +reason of her stoutness, floated so much higher out +of the water than her friend and I, found it impossible +to get herself under the bar. In whatever manner +she made the attempt, her head or her shoulders +were sure to bump and arrest her progress.</p> + +<p>"Now, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, who had +been watching her, "if you ever want to get out of +this salt water, you've got to make up your mind to +take some of it into your mouth and into your eyes, +that is, if you don't keep 'em shut. Get yourself as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> +close to that bar as you can, and I'll come and put +you under." So saying, Mrs. Lecks returned to the +other side of the bar, and having made Mrs. Aleshine +bow down her head and close her eyes and mouth, +she placed both hands upon her companion's broad +shoulders, and threw as much weight as possible upon +them. Mrs. Aleshine almost disappeared beneath the +water, but she came up sputtering and blinking on +the other side of the bar, where she was quickly joined +by Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"Merciful me!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, wiping +her wet face with her still wetter sleeve, "I never +supposed the heathens would be up to such tricks as +makin' us do that!"</p> + +<p>I had waited to give any assistance that might be +required, and, while doing so, had discovered another +bar under the water, which proved that entrance at +almost any stage of the tide had been guarded against. +Warning my companions not to strike their feet +against this submerged bar, we paddled and pushed +ourselves around the turn in the rocky passage, and +emerged into the open lagoon.</p> + +<p>This smooth stretch of water, which separated the +island from its encircling reef, was here about a hundred +feet wide; and the first thing that arrested our +attention as we gazed across it was a little wharf or +landing-stage, erected upon the narrow beach of the +island, almost opposite to us.</p> + +<p>"As sure as I stand here," exclaimed Mrs. Lecks, +who never seemed to forget her upright position, +"somebody lives in this place!"</p> + +<p>"And it isn't a stickery coral island, either," cried<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +Mrs. Aleshine, "for that sand's as smooth as any I +ever saw."</p> + +<p>"Whoever does live here," resumed Mrs. Lecks, +"has got to take us in, whether they like it or not, +and the sooner we get over there, the better."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Aleshine now regretted the loss of her oar, +and suggested that some one of us who could get +under bars easily should go back after it. But Mrs. +Lecks would listen to no such proposition.</p> + +<p>"Let the oars go," she said. "We won't want 'em +again, for I'll never leave this place if I have to scoop +myself out to sea with an oar."</p> + +<p>I told the two women that I could easily tow them +across this narrow piece of water; and instructing +Mrs. Lecks to take hold of the tail of my coat, while +Mrs. Aleshine grasped her companion's dress, I began +to swim slowly toward the beach, towing my companions +behind me.</p> + +<p>"Goodnessful gracious me!" suddenly exclaimed +Mrs. Aleshine, with a great bounce and a splash, +"look at the fishes!"</p> + +<p>The water in the lagoon was so clear that it was +almost transparent, and beneath us and around us we +could see fish, some large and some small, swimming +about as if they were floating in the air, while down +below the white sandy bottom seemed to sparkle in +the sunlight.</p> + +<p>"Now don't jerk my skeert off on account of the +fishes," said Mrs. Lecks. "I expect there was just as +many outside, though we couldn't see 'em. But I +must say that this water looks as if it had been boiled +and filtered."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span></p> + +<p>If any inhabitant of the island had then been +standing on the wharf, he would have beheld on the +surface of the lagoon the peculiar spectacle of a man's +head surmounted by a wet and misshapen straw hat, +and followed by two other heads, each wearing a +dripping and bedraggled bonnet, while beneath, +among the ripples of the clear water, would have +been seen the figures belonging to these three heads, +each dressed in the clothes ordinarily worn on land.</p> + +<p>As I swam I could see before me, on the island, +nothing but a mass of low-growing, tropical vegetation, +behind which rose some palms and other trees. +I made for the little wharf, from which steps came +down into the water, and as soon as we reached it we +all clambered rapidly up, and stood dripping upon +the narrow platform, stamping our feet and shaking +our clothes.</p> + +<p>"Do you see that house?" said Mrs. Lecks. "That's +where they live, and I wonder which way we must go +to get there."</p> + +<p>From this somewhat elevated position I could +plainly see, over the tops of the bushes and low trees, +the upper part of the roof of a house. When I found +the bars across the passage in the reef, I had easily +come to the conclusion that the inhabitants of this +island were not savages; and now since I had seen +the wharf and the roof of this house, I felt quite convinced +that we had reached the abode of civilized +beings. They might be pirates or some other sort of +sea miscreants, but they were certainly not savages or +cannibals.</p> + +<p>Leaving the wharf, we soon found a broad path<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> +through the bushes, and in a few moments reached a +wide, open space, in which stood a handsome modern-built +house. It was constructed after the fashion of +tropical houses belonging to Europeans, with jalousied +porches and shaded balconies; the grounds about it +were neatly laid out, and behind it was a walled inclosure, +probably a garden.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word," exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, "I'd +like to be less drippin' before I make a call on genteel +folks!"</p> + +<p>"Genteel folks!" exclaimed Mrs. Lecks, indignantly. +"If you're too proud to go in as you are, Barb'ry +Aleshine, you can go set in the sun till you're dry. +As for me, I'm goin' to ask for the lady of the house, +and if she don't like me she can lump me, so long as +she gives me somethin' to eat and a dry bed to get +into."</p> + +<p>I was too much amazed to speak, but my companions +took everything as a matter of course. They had +expected to see strange things in the outer world, and +they were not surprised when they saw them. My +mind was not capable of understanding the existence +of an establishment like this on a little island in mid-ocean. +But it was useless for me to attempt to reason +on this apparent phenomenon; and, indeed, there was +no time for it, for Mrs. Lecks walked boldly up to the +front door and plied the knocker, stepping back immediately, +so that she might not drip too much water +on the porch.</p> + +<p>"When they come," she said, "we'll ask 'em to let +us in the back way, so that we sha'n't slop up their +floors any more than we can help."</p> + +<p>We waited for a couple of minutes, and then I, as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> +the member of the party who dripped the least, went +up on the porch and knocked again.</p> + +<p>"It's my belief they're not at home," said Mrs. +Lecks, after we had waited some time longer, "but perhaps +we'll find some of the servants in," and she led +the way to the back part of the house.</p> + +<p>As we passed the side of the mansion I noticed that +all the window-shutters were closed, and my growing +belief that the place was deserted became a conviction +after we had knocked several times at a door at the +back of the building without receiving any answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, they're all gone out, that's certain!" said +Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they barred up the entrance to the island +when they left," I added.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if there's another house in the neighborhood?" +asked Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe," said I, "that the neighborhood is +very thickly settled; but if you will wait here a few +minutes, I will run around this wall and see what +there is beyond. I may find the huts of some natives +or work-people."</p> + +<p>I followed a path by the side of the garden wall, +but when I reached the end of the inclosure I could +see nothing before me but jungle and forest, with +paths running in several directions. I followed one +of these, and very soon came out upon an open beach, +with the reef lying beyond it. From the form of the +beach and the reef, and from the appearance of things +generally, I began to think that this was probably a +very small island, and that the house we had seen +was the only one on it. I returned and reported this +belief to my companions.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp48" id="i_045" style="max-width: 36.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_045.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"MRS. LECKS WALKED BOLDLY UP TO THE FRONT DOOR AND PLIED THE KNOCKER."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Now that Mrs. Aleshine had no fear of appearing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46"></span> +in an untidy condition before "genteel folks," her +manner changed very much. "If the family has gone +into the country," said she, "or whatever else they've +done, I want to get into this house as soon as I can. +I expect we can find something to eat. At any rate, +we can get ourselves dry, and lay down somewhere +to rest, for not a wink has one of us slept since night +before last."</p> + +<p>"I should think," said Mrs. Lecks, addressing me, +"that if you could manage to climb up to them second-story +windows, you might find one of them that you +could get in, and then come down and open the door +for us. Everybody is likely to forget to fasten some +of the windows on the upper floors. I know it isn't +right to force our way into other people's houses, but +there's nothin' else to be done, and there's no need +of our talkin' about it."</p> + +<p>I agreed with her perfectly, and taking off my coat +and shoes, I climbed up one of the columns of the +veranda, and got upon its roof. This extended nearly +the whole length of two sides of the house. I walked<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +along it and tried all the shutters, and I soon came to +one in which some of the movable slats had been broken.</p> + +<figure class="figleft illowp27" id="i_048" style="max-width: 11.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_048.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"I CLIMBED UP<br> ONE OF THE COLUMNS."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Thrusting my hand and arm through the +aperture thus formed, I unhooked the shutters and +opened them. The sash was fastened down by one of +the ordinary contrivances used for such purposes, but +with the blade of my jack-knife I easily pushed the +bolt aside, raised the sash, and entered. I found +myself in a small hall at the head of a flight of stairs +Down these I hurried, and, groping my way through +the semi-darkness of the lower story, +I reached a side door. This was fastened +by two bolts and a bar, and I +quickly had it open.</p> + +<p>Stepping outside, I called Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the latter, "I'm sure +I'll be glad to get in, and as we've +squeezed most of the water out of +our clothes, we won't make so much +of a mess, after all."</p> + +<p>We now entered, and I opened one +of the shutters.</p> + +<p>"Let's go right into the kitchen," +said Mrs. Lecks, "and make a fire. +That's the first thing to do."</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Lecks soon discovered +that this mansion was very different +from a country dwelling in one of +our Middle States. Externally, and as far as I had +been able to observe its internal arrangements, it resembled +the houses built by English residents which +I had seen in the West Indies. It was a dwelling in +which modern ideas in regard to construction and +furnishing adapted themselves to the requirements of +a tropical climate. Apparently there was no kitchen. +There were no stairs leading to a lower floor, and the +darkened rooms into which my companions peered +were certainly not used for culinary purposes.</p> + +<p>In the meantime I had gone out of the door by +which we had entered, and soon discovered, on the other +side of the house, a small building with a chimney to +it, which I felt sure must be the kitchen. The door and +shutters were fastened, but before making any attempt +to open them I returned to announce my discovery.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span></p> + +<p>"Door locked, is it?" said Mrs. Aleshine. "Just +wait a minute."</p> + +<p>She then disappeared, but in a very short time came +out, carrying a bunch of large keys.</p> + +<p>"It's always the way," said she, as the two followed +me round the back of the house, "when people shut +up a house and leave it, to put all the door-keys in +the back corner of some drawer in the hall, and to +take only the front-door key with them. So, you see, +I knew just where to go for these."</p> + +<p>"It's a poor hen," said Mrs. Lecks, "that begins to +cackle when she's goin' to her nest; the wise ones +wait till they're comin' away. Now we'll see if one +of them keys fit."</p> + +<p>Greatly to the triumph of Mrs. Aleshine, the second +or third key I tried unlocked the door. Entering, we +found ourselves in a good-sized kitchen, with a great +fireplace at one end of it. A door opened from the +room into a shed where there was a pile of dry twigs +and fire-wood.</p> + +<p>"Let's have a fire as quick as we can," said Mrs. +Lecks, "for since I went into that shet-up house I've +been chilled to the bones."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Mrs. Aleshine; "and now I know +how a fish keeps comfortable in the water, and how +dreadfully wet and flabby it must feel when it's +taken out."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span></p> + +<p>I brought in a quantity of wood and kindling, and +finding matches in a tin box on the wall, I went to +work to make a fire, and was soon rewarded by a +crackling blaze. Turning around, I was amazed at +the actions of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. I had +expected to see them standing shivering behind me, +waiting for the fire to be made; but instead of that, +they were moving rapidly here and there, saying not +a word, but going as straight to cupboard, closet, and +pantry as the hound follows the track of the hare. +From a wild chaos of uncongenial surroundings, these +two women had dropped into a sphere in which they +were perfectly at home. The kitchen was not altogether +like those to which they had been accustomed, +but it was a well-appointed one, and their instincts +and practice made them quickly understand where +they would find what they wanted. I gazed on them +with delight while one filled a kettle from a little +pump in the corner which brought water from a cistern, +and the other appeared from the pantry, carrying +a tea-caddy and a tin biscuit-box.</p> + +<p>"Now, then," said Mrs. Lecks, hanging the kettle +on a crane over the fire, and drawing up a chair, "by +the time we've got a little dried off the kettle will +bile, and we'll have some hot tea, and then the best +thing to do is to go to bed."</p> + +<p>"We'll take time to have a bite first," said Mrs. +Aleshine, "for I was never so near famished in my +life. I brought out a box nearly full of biscuits, and +there's sardines in this, Mr. Craig, which you can +easy open with your knife."</p> + +<p>I piled on more wood, and we gathered close around<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +the genial heat. The sunshine was hot outside, but +that did not prevent the fire from being most comforting +and refreshing to us.</p> + +<p>As soon as the kettle began to simmer, up jumped +Mrs. Aleshine. A sugar-bowl and some cups were +placed upon a table, and in a short time we were +cheered and invigorated by hot tea, biscuits, and sardines.</p> + +<p>"This isn't much of a meal," said Mrs. Aleshine, +apologetically, "but there's no time to cook nothin', +and the sooner we get off our wet things and find some +beds, the better."</p> + +<p>"If I can once get into bed," said Mrs. Lecks, "all +I ask is that the family will not come back till I have +had a good long nap. After that, they can do what +they please."</p> + +<p>We now went back to the house, and ascended the +main stairway, which led up to a large central hall.</p> + +<p>"We won't go into the front rooms," said Mrs. +Lecks, "for we don't want to make no more disturbance +than we can help; but if we can find the smallest +kind of rooms in the back, with beds in 'em, it is +all we can ask."</p> + +<p>The first chamber we entered was a good-sized one, +neatly furnished, containing a bedstead with uncovered +mattress and pillows. Opening a closet door, Mrs. +Lecks exclaimed: "This is a man's room, Mr. Craig, +and you'd better take it. Look at the trousers and +coats! There's no bedclothes in here, but I'll see if +I can't find some."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes she returned, bearing blankets, +sheets, and a pillow-case. With Mrs. Aleshine on one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +side of the bedstead and Mrs. Lecks on the other, the +sheets and blankets were laid with surprising deftness +and rapidity, and in a few moments I saw before me +a most inviting bed.</p> + +<p>While Mrs. Aleshine held a pillow in her teeth as +she pulled on the pillow-case with both hands, Mrs. +Lecks looked around the room with the air of an +attentive hostess. "I guess you'll be comfortable, +Mr. Craig," she said, "and I advise you to sleep just +as long as you can. We'll take the room on the other +side of the hall; but I'm first goin' down to see if the +kitchen fire is safe, and to fasten the doors."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_052" style="max-width: 53.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_052.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"'I GUESS YOU'LL BE COMFORTABLE, MR. CRAIG.'"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>I offered to relieve her of this trouble, but she +promptly declined my services. "When it's rowin' +or swimmin', you can do it, Mr. Craig, but when it's +lockin' up and lookin' to fires, I'll attend to that +myself."</p> + +<p>My watch had stopped, but I suppose it was the +middle of the afternoon when I went to bed, and I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +slept steadily until some hours after sunrise the next +morning, when I was awakened by a loud knock at +the door.</p> + +<p>"It's time to get up," said the voice of Mrs. Lecks, +"and if your clothes are not entirely dry, you'd better +see if there isn't somethin' in that closet you can put +on. After a while I'll make a big fire in the kitchen, +and dry all our things."</p> + +<p>I found my clothes were still very damp, and after +investigating the contents of the closet and bureau, +I was able to supply myself with linen and a light +summer suit which fitted me fairly well. I even found +socks and a pair of slippers.</p> + +<p>When I entered the kitchen, I first opened wide +my eyes with delight, and then I burst out laughing. +Before me was a table covered with a white cloth, +with plates, cups, and everything necessary upon it; +at one end was a steaming tea-pot, and at the other a +dish of some kind of hot meat, and Mrs. Aleshine +was just taking a pan of newly baked biscuits from a +small iron oven.</p> + +<p>"I don't wonder you laugh," said Mrs. Lecks, "but +our clothes was still wet, and we had to take just +what we could find. I'm not in the habit of goin' +about in a white muslin wrapper with blue-ribbon +trimmin's, and as for Mrs. Aleshine, I did think we'd +never find anything that she could get into; but there +must be one stout woman in the family, for that +yeller frock with black buttons fits her well enough, +though I must say it's a good deal short."</p> + +<p>"I never thought," said Mrs. Aleshine, as she sat +down at the tea-pot, "that the heathens had so many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +conveniences, specially bakin'-powders and Dutch +ovens. For my part, I always supposed that they +used their altars for bakin', when they wasn't offerin' +up victims on 'em."</p> + +<p>"Have you got it into your head, Barb'ry Aleshine," +said Mrs. Lecks, looking up from the dish of potted +beef she was serving, "that this house belongs to +common heathen? I expect that most of the savages +who live on these desert islands has been converted +by the missionaries, but they'd have to take 'em from +Genesis to Revelations a good many times before +they'd get 'em to the p'int of havin' force-pumps in +their kitchens and spring-mattresses on their beds. +As far as I've seen this house, it looks as if the family +had always been Christians, and probably either +Catholics or Episcopalians."</p> + +<p>"On account of the cross on the mantelpiece in our +room, I suppose," said Mrs. Aleshine. "But whether +they're given to idols or prayer-books, I know they've +got a mighty nice house; and considerin' the distance +from stores, there's a good deal more in that pantry +than you'd expect to find in any house I know of, +when the family is away."</p> + +<p>"It is my opinion," said I, "that this house belongs +to some rich man, probably an American or European +merchant, who lives on one of the large islands not +far away, and who uses this as a sort of summer +residence."</p> + +<p>"I thought it was always summer in this part of +the world," said Mrs. Lecks.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span></p> + +<figure class="figright illowp35" id="i_055" style="max-width: 13.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_055.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"THAT YELLER FROCK."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"So it is in effect," I replied, "but there are some +seasons when it is very unpleasant to remain in one +of those towns which are found on the larger islands, +and so the owner of this house may come up here +sometimes for fresh sea air."</p> + +<p>"Or it's just as like," said Mrs. Aleshine, "that he +lives somewhere up in the iceberg regions, and comes +here to spend his winters. +It would do just as well. +But, whichever way it is, +I can't help thinkin' it's +careless not to leave somebody +in the house to take +care of it. Why, for all +the family would know +about it, tramps might +break in and stay as long +as they like."</p> + +<p>"That's just what's +happenin' now," said Mrs. +Lecks, "and for my part +I ain't goin' to find no +fault. I don't suppose +the people would have +been so hard-hearted as +to turn us away from +their doors, but I've seen +enough of folks in this +world not to be too sure +about that."</p> + +<p>"How do you suppose," said Mrs. Aleshine, addressing +me, "that the family gets here and goes back? +Do they keep a private steamboat?"</p> + +<p>"Of course they have a private vessel of some kind," +I answered, "probably a yacht. It is quite certain +that ordinary steamers never touch here."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span></p> + +<p>"If that's the case," said Mrs. Lecks, "all we can +do is to wait here till they come, and get them to send +us away in their ship. But whether they've just +gone or are just a-comin' back depends, I suppose, on +whether they live in a freezin' or a burnin' country; +and if they don't like our bein' here when they come +back, there's one thing they can make up their minds +to, and that is that I'm never goin' to leave this place +on a life-preserver."</p> + +<p>"Nor me nuther," said Mrs. Aleshine, finishing, with +much complacency, her third cup of tea.</p> + +<p>When breakfast was over, Mrs. Lecks pushed back +her chair, but did not immediately rise. With an +expression of severe thought upon her face, she gazed +steadfastly before her for a minute, and then she +addressed Mrs. Aleshine, who had begun to gather +together the cups and the plates. "Now, Barb'ry +Aleshine," said she, "don't you begin to clear off the +table, nor touch a single thing to wash it up, till +we've been over this house. I want to do it now, +before Mr. Craig goes out to prospect around and see +what else is on the island, which, I suppose, he'll be +wantin' to do."</p> + +<p>I replied that I had that intention, but I was quite +willing to go over the house first.</p> + +<p>"It's come to me," said Mrs. Lecks, speaking very +gravely, "that it's no use for us to talk of the family +bein' here, or bein' there, till we've gone over this +house. If we find that they have, as far as we know, +gone away in good health and spirits, that's all well<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +enough; but if anything's happened in this house, I +don't want to be here with what's happened—at least, +without knowin' it, and when we do go over the +house, I want a man to go with us."</p> + +<p>"If you'd talked that way last night, Mrs. Lecks," +exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, "I'd never slept till after +sun-up, and then got up and gone huntin' round +among them frocks and petticoats to find somethin' +that would fit me, with the quiet pulse I did have, +Mrs. Lecks!"</p> + +<p>To this remark Mrs. Lecks made no reply, but, rising, +she led the way out of the kitchen and into the +house.</p> + +<p>The rooms on the first floor were very well furnished. +There was a large parlor, and back of it a study or +library, while on the other side of the hall was a dining-room +and an apartment probably used as a family +room. We found nothing in these which would indicate +that anything untoward had happened in them. +Then we went up-stairs, I leading the way, Mrs. Lecks +following, and Mrs. Aleshine in the rear. We first +entered one of the front chambers, which was quite +dark, but Mrs. Lecks unfastened and threw open a +shutter. Then, with a rigid countenance and determined +mien, she examined every part of the room, +looked into every closet, and even under the bed. It +was quite plain that it was in one of the chambers +that she expected to find what had happened, if anything +had happened.</p> + +<p>The room on the other side of the hall was very +like the one we first examined, except that it had two +beds in it. We next visited the chamber recently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +occupied by my two companions, which was now +undergoing the process of "airing."</p> + +<p>"We needn't stop here," remarked Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Lecks instantly replied: "Indeed, we will +stop; I'm going to look under the bed."</p> + +<p>"Merciful me!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, putting +her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Supposin' you +should find somethin', and we sleepin' here last night! +It curdles me to think of it!"</p> + +<p>"It's my duty," said Mrs. Lecks, severely, "and I +shall do it."</p> + +<p>And do it she did, rising from the task with a sigh +of relief.</p> + +<p>My room was subjected to the same scrutiny as the +others, and then we visited some smaller rooms at the +extreme back of the house, which we had not before +noticed. A garret, or loft, was reached by a steep +stairway in one of these rooms, and into its dusky +gloom I ventured by myself.</p> + +<p>"Now, don't come down, Mr. Craig," said Mrs. Lecks, +"till you're sure there's nothin' there. Of all places +in the house, that cockloft, after all, is the most +likely."</p> + +<p>I had none of the fears which seemed to actuate +the two women, but I had a very unpleasant time of +it groping about in the darkness and heat, and, as +the place was only partly floored, running the continual +risk of crashing down through the lath and +plaster. I made myself quite sure, however, that +nothing had happened in that loft, unless some one +had suffocated there, and had dried up and become +the dust which I raised at every step.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span></p> + +<p>"Now, then," said Mrs. Lecks, when I descended, +"as there is no cellar, we'll go wash up the breakfast +things; and if you want to take a walk, to see if +there's any genuwine heathens or anybody else a-livin' +in this island, we're not afraid to be left alone."</p> + +<p>For the whole of the rest of the morning I wandered +about the island. I investigated the paths that I had +before noticed, and found that each of them led, after +a moderate walk, to some wide and pleasant part of +the beach. At one of these points I found a rustic +bench; and, stuffed in between two of the slats which +formed the seat, I found a book. It had been sadly +wet and discolored by rain, and dried and curled up +by the wind and sun. I pulled it out, and found it to +be a novel in French. On one of the fly-leaves was +written "Emily." Reasoning from the dilapidated +appearance of this book, I began to believe that the +family must have left this place some time ago, and +that, therefore, their return might be expected at a +proportionately early period. On second thoughts, +however, I considered that the state of this book was +of little value as testimony. A few hours of storm, +wind, and sun might have inflicted all the damage it +had sustained. The two women would be better able +to judge by the state of the house and the condition +of the provisions how long the family had been +away.</p> + +<p>I then started out on a walk along the beach, and +in little more than an hour I had gone entirely around +the island. Nowhere did I see any sign of habitation +or occupation except at the house which had given +us shelter, nor any opening through the surrounding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> +reef except the barred passageway through which +we had come.</p> + +<p>When I returned to the house, I found that Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine had been hard at work all +the morning. They had, so to speak, gone regularly +and systematically to housekeeping, and had already +divided the labors of the establishment between them. +Mrs. Aleshine, who prided herself on her skill in culinary +matters, was to take charge of the cooking, while +Mrs. Lecks assumed the care of the various rooms +and the general management of the household. This +arrangement was explained to me at length, and when +I remarked that all this seemed to indicate that they +expected to remain here for a long time, Mrs. Lecks +replied:</p> + +<p>"In my part of the country I could tell pretty +close, by the dust on the tables and on the top of the +pianner, how long a family had been out of a house; +but dust in Pennsylvany and dust on a sea island, +where there's no wagons nor carriages, is quite different. +This house has been left in very good order, and +though the windows wants washin', and the floors and +stairs brushin',—which will be easy considerin' that +none of 'em has carpets,—and everything in the house +a reg'lar cleanin' up and airin', it may be that the +family hasn't been gone away very long, and so it +may be a good while before they come back again. +Mrs. Aleshine and me has talked it over, and we've +made up our minds that the right thing to do is just +to go along and attend to things as if we was a-goin' +to stay here for a month or two; and it may be even +longer than that before the people come back. And +I don't think they'll have anything to complain of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> +when they find their house in apple-pie order, their +windows washed, their +floors clean, and not +a speck of dust anywhere."</p> + +<figure class="figright illowp34" id="i_061" style="max-width: 12.9375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_061.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"MRS ALESHEIN<br> HAD BEEN HARD<br> AT WORK ALL<br> THE MORNING."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"For my part," said Mrs. Aleshine, "I don't see what they've got to find +fault with, anyway. I look on this as part of the passage. To be sure, +we ain't movin' a bit on our way to Japan, but that's not my fault, nor +yet yours, Mrs. Lecks, nor yours, Mr. Craig. We paid our passage to go +to Japan, and if the ship was steered wrong and got sunk, we hadn't +anything to do with it. We didn't want to come here, but here we are, +and I'd like to know who's got any right to find fault with us."</p> + +<p>"And bein' here," said Mrs. Lecks, "we'll take care +of the things."</p> + +<p>"As far as I'm concerned," added Mrs. Aleshine, +"if this island was movin' on to Japan, I'd a great deal +rather be on it than on that ship, where, to my way of +thinkin', they didn't know much more about housekeepin' +than they did about steerin'."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span></p> + +<p>"I think your plans and arrangements are very +good," I said. "But how about the provisions? Are +there enough to hold out for any time?"</p> + +<p>"There's pretty nigh a barrel of flour," said Mrs. +Aleshine, "a good deal of tea and coffee and sugar, +and lots of things in tins and jars. There's a kind +of cellar outside where they keep things cool, and +there's more than half a keg of butter down there. +It's too strong to use, but I can take that butter and +wash it out, and work it over, and salt it, and make +it just as good butter as any we got on board the +ship."</p> + +<p>"But," said I, "you have given me nothing to do. +I shall not be content to stand about idle and see you +do all the work."</p> + +<p>"There's nothin' in the house," said Mrs. Lecks, +"which you need put your hand to; but, if you choose +to go out into that garden, and see if there's anything +can be done in it, or got out of it,—that is, if you +know anything about garden work,—I'm sure we'd +be very glad of any fresh vegetables we could get."</p> + +<p>I replied that I had been accustomed to garden +work in an amateur way, and would be glad to do +anything that was possible in that direction.</p> + +<p>"I never seed into that garden," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"but of all the foolish things that ever came under +my eye, the buildin' a wall around a garden, when a +picket fence would do just as well, is the foolishest."</p> + +<p>I explained that in these countries it was the +fashion to use walls instead of fences.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span></p> + +<p>"If it's the fashion," said Mrs. Aleshine, "I suppose +there's no use sayin' anything ag'in' it; but if the +fashion should happen to change, they'd find it a good +deal easier to take down a barbed-wire fence than a +stone wall."</p> + +<p>This conversation took place in the large lower hall, +which Mrs. Lecks had been "putting to rights," and +where Mrs. Aleshine had just entered from the kitchen. +Mrs. Lecks now sat down upon a chair, and, dust-cloth +in hand, she thus addressed me:</p> + +<p>"There's another thing, Mr. Craig, that me and +Mrs. Aleshine has been talkin' about. We haven't +made up our minds about it, because we didn't think +it was fair and right to do that before speakin' to you +and hearin' what you had to say on one side or another +of it. Mrs. Aleshine and me has had to bow our heads +to afflictions, and to walk sometimes in roads we +didn't want to; but we've remembered the ways in +which we was brought up, and have kept in them as +far as we've been able. When our husbands died, +leavin' Mrs. Aleshine with a son, and me without any, +which, perhaps, is just as well, for there's no knowin' +how he might have turned out—"</p> + +<p>"That's so," interrupted Mrs. Aleshine, "for he +might have gone as a clerk to Roosher, and then you +and me would 'a' had to travel different ways."</p> + +<p>"And when our husbands died," continued Mrs. +Lecks, "they left us enough, and plenty, to live on, +and we wasn't the women to forget them and their +ways of thinkin', any more than we'd forget the ways +of our fathers and mothers before us."</p> + +<p>"That's so!" said Mrs. Aleshine, fervently.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span></p> + +<p>"And now, Mr. Craig," continued Mrs. Lecks, "we +don't know how you've been brought up, nor anything +about you, in fact, except that you've been as kind to +us as if you was some sort of kin, and that we never +would have thought of comin' here without you, and +so me and Mrs. Aleshine has agreed to leave this whole +matter to you, and to do just as you say. When us +two started out on this long journey, we didn't expect +to find it what you call the path of roses, and, dear +only knows, we haven't found it so."</p> + +<p>"That's true!" ejaculated Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"And what we've had to put up with," continued +Mrs. Lecks, "we have put up with. So, Mr. Craig, +whether you say dinner in the middle of the day at +twelve, as we've always been used to, or at six o'clock +in the afternoon, as they had it on board that ship,—and +how people ever come to turn their meals hind +part foremost in that way, I can't say,—we are goin' +to do it; if you've been brought up to six o'clock, +you won't hear no complainin' from us, think what +we may."</p> + +<p>I was on the point of laughing aloud at the conclusion +of this speech, but a glance at the serious faces +of the two women, who, with so much earnest solicitude, +awaited my reply, stopped me, and I hastened +to assure them that dinner in the middle of the day +would be entirely in accordance with my every wish.</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, her eyes sparkling +amid the plumpness of her face, while an expression +of calm relief passed over the features of Mrs. +Lecks.</p> + +<p>"And now I'll be off and get us somethin' to eat in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +less than no time," said Mrs. Aleshine. "We didn't +know whether to make it lunch or dinner till we had +seen you, so you can't expect much to-day, but to-morrow +we'll begin, and have everything straight and +comfortable. I'm goin' to get up early in the mornin' +and bake a batch of bread, and you needn't be afraid, +Mr. Craig, but what I'll have you a bit of hot meat +every night for your supper."</p> + +<p>In the afternoon we all visited the garden, which, +although a good deal overgrown with luxuriant weeds, +showed marks of fair cultivation. Some of the beds +had been cleared out and left to the weeds, and we +found some "garden truck," as my companions called +it, with which we were not familiar. But there were +tomato-vines loaded with fruit, plenty of beans of +various kinds, and a large patch of potatoes, many of +which had been dug.</p> + +<p>From the lower end of the garden, Mrs. Aleshine +gave a shout of delight. We went to her, and found +her standing before a long asparagus bed.</p> + +<p>"Well!" she exclaimed. "If there's anything that +settles it firm in my mind that these people is Christians, +it's this bed of grass. I don't believe there +ever was heathens that growed grass."</p> + +<p>"I thought that was all settled when we found the +bakin'-powders," said Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"But this clinches it," answered her companion. "I +can't tell from a sparrowgrass bed what church they +belong to, but they're no idolaters."</p> + +<p>The next morning I delivered to the genial Mrs. +Aleshine a large basket full of fresh vegetables, and +we had a most excellent dinner. Somewhat to my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> +surprise, the table was not set in the kitchen, but in +the dining-room.</p> + +<p>"Me and Mrs. Aleshine have made up our minds," +said Mrs. Lecks, in explanation, "that it's not the +proper thing for you to be eatin' in the kitchen, nor +for us neither. Here's table-cloths, and good glass +and china, and spoons and forks, which, although +they're not solid silver, are plated good enough for +anybody. Neither you nor us is servants, and a +kitchen is no place for us."</p> + +<p>"That's so!" said Mrs. Aleshine. "We paid our +money for first-class passages, and it was understood +that we'd have everything as good as anybody."</p> + +<p>"Which I don't see as that has anything to do with +it, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "for the steamship +people don't generally throw in desert islands as +part of the accommodation."</p> + +<p>"We didn't ask for the island," retorted Mrs. +Aleshine, "and if they'd steered the ship right we +shouldn't have wanted it."</p> + +<p>When we had finished our dinner, Mrs. Lecks pushed +back her chair, and sat for a few moments in thought, +as was her wont before saying anything of importance.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span></p> + +<figure class="figright illowp41" id="i_067" style="max-width: 15.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_067.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"'THERE'S ANOTHER THING' SAID SHE 'THAT I'V BEEN THINKIN' ABOUT.'"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"There's another thing," said she, "that I've been +thinkin' about, though I haven't spoke of it yet, even +to Mrs. Aleshine. We haven't no right to come here +and eat up the victuals and use the things of the +people that own this house, without payin' for 'em. +Of course, we're not goin' to sleep on the bare ground +and starve to death while there's beds and food close +to our hands. But if we use 'em and take it, we ought +to pay the people that the place belongs to—that is, if +we've got the money to do it with—and Mrs. Aleshine +and me has got the money. When we went down +into our cabin to get ready to leave the ship, the first +thing we did was to +put our purses in our +pockets, and we've +both got drafts +wrapped up in oil silk, +and sewed inside our +frock-bodies; and if +you didn't think to +bring your money +along with you, Mr. +Craig, we can lend you +all you need."</p> + + +<p>I thanked her for +her offer, but stated +that I had brought +with me all my money.</p> + +<p>"Now," continued +Mrs. Lecks, "it's my +opinion that we ought +to pay our board regular +every week. I +don't know what is +commonly charged in a place like this, but I know +you can get very good board where I come from for +six dollars a week."</p> + +<p>"That is for two in a room," said Mrs. Aleshine; +"but havin' a room to himself would make it more +for Mr. Craig."</p> + +<p>"It ain't his fault," said Mrs. Lecks, somewhat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +severely, "that he ain't got a brother or some friend +to take part of the room and pay part of the expense. +But, anyway, the room isn't a large one, and I don't +think he ought to pay much more for having a room +to himself. Seven dollars is quite enough."</p> + +<p>"But then you've got to consider," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"that we do the cookin' and housework, and +that ought to be counted."</p> + +<p>"I was comin' to that," said Mrs. Lecks. "Now, if +me and Mrs. Aleshine was to go out to service, which +you may be sure we wouldn't do unless circumstances +was very different from what they are now—"</p> + +<p>"That's true!" earnestly ejaculated Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"But if we was to do it," continued Mrs. Lecks, +"we wouldn't go into anybody's family for less than +two dollars a week. Now, I've always heard that +wages is low in this part of the world, and the work +isn't heavy for two of us; so, considering the family +isn't here to make their own bargain, I think we'd +better put our wages at that, so that'll make four +dollars a week for each of us two to pay."</p> + +<p>"But how about Mr. Craig?" said Mrs. Aleshine. +"He oughtn't to work in that garden for nothin'."</p> + +<p>"Fifty cents a day," said Mrs. Lecks, "is as little +as any man would work for, and then it oughtn't to +take all his time. That will make three dollars to +take out of Mr. Craig's board, and leave it four dollars +a week, the same as ours."</p> + +<p>I declared myself perfectly satisfied with these arrangements, +but Mrs. Aleshine did not seem to be +altogether convinced that they were just.</p> + +<p>"When a woman goes out to service," said she,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> +"she gets her board and is paid wages besides, and +it's the same for gardeners."</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. +Lecks, "that we ought to charge these people with +our wages, and make 'em pay it when they come +back!"</p> + +<p>This remark apparently disposed of Mrs. Aleshine's +objections, and her friend continued: "There's a jar +on the mantelpiece there, of the kind the East Indy +ginger comes in. It's got nothin' in it now but some +brown paper in which fish-hooks is wrapped. We +came here on a Wednesday, and so every Tuesday +night we'll each put four dollars in that jar, under +the fish-hook paper; then if, by night or by day, +the family comes back and makes a fuss about our +bein' here, all we have to say is, 'The board money's +in the ginger-jar,' and our consciences is free."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks's plan was adopted as a very just and +proper one, and at the expiration of the week we each +deposited four dollars in the ginger-jar.</p> + +<p>While occupying this house I do not think that any +of us endeavored to pry into the private concerns of +the family who owned it, although we each had a very +natural curiosity to know something about said family. +Opportunities of acquiring such knowledge, however, +were exceedingly scarce. Even if we had been willing +to look into such receptacles, the several desks and +secretaries that the house contained were all locked, +and nowhere could Mrs. Lecks or Mrs. Aleshine find +an old letter or piece of wrapping-paper with an +address on it. I explained to my companions that +letters and packages were not likely to come to a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +place like this, but they kept a sharp lookout for anything +of the kind, asserting that there could be no +possible harm in reading the names of the people +whose house they were in.</p> + +<p>In some of the books in the library, which were +English and French in about equal proportions, with +a few volumes in German, I found written on the +blank pages the names "Emily" and "Lucille," and +across the title-pages of some French histories was +inscribed, in a man's hand, "A. Dusante." We discussed +these names, but could not make up our minds +whether the family were French or English. For instance, +there was no reason why an Englishwoman +might not be called Lucille, and even such a surname +as Dusante was not uncommon either among English +or Americans. The labels on the boxes and tins of +provisions showed that most of them came from San +Francisco, but this was likely to be the case, no matter +what the nationality of the family.</p> + +<p>The question of the relationship of the three persons, +of whose existence we had discovered traces, was a very +interesting one to Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"I can't make up my mind," said the latter, "whether +Emily is the mother of Lucille or her daughter, or +whether they are both children of Mr. Dusante, or +whether he's married to Lucille and Emily is his sister-in-law, +or whether she's his sister and not hers, or +whether he's the uncle and they're his nieces, or +whether Emily is an old lady and Mr. Dusante and +Lucille are both her children, or whether they are two +maiden ladies and Mr. Dusante is their brother, or +whether Mr. Dusante is only a friend of the family,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span> +and boards here because no two women ought to live +in such a lonely place without a man in the house."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Lecks, "whether Mr. Dusante +comes back with two nieces, or a wife and daughter, +or Mrs. Dusante and a mother-in-law, or a pair of +sisters, all we've got to say is, 'The board money's +in the ginger-jar,' and let 'em do their worst."</p> + +<p>In my capacity as gardener I do not think I earned +the wages which my companions had allotted to me, +for I merely gathered and brought in such fruits and +vegetables as I found in proper condition for use. In +other ways, however, I made my services valuable to +our little family. In a closet in my chamber I found +guns and ammunition, and frequently I was able to +bring in a few birds. Some of these were pronounced +by Mrs. Aleshine unsuitable for the table, but others +she cooked with much skill, and they were found to +be very good eating.</p> + +<p>Not far from the little wharf which has been mentioned +there stood, concealed by a mass of low-growing +palms, a boat-house in which was a little skiff +hung up near the roof. This I let down and launched, +and found great pleasure in rowing it about the lagoon. +There was fishing-tackle in the boat-house, +which I used with success, the lagoon abounding in +fish. Offerings of this kind were much more acceptable +to Mrs. Aleshine than birds.</p> + +<p>"There's some kinds of fishes that's better than +others," said she, "but, as a gen'ral rule, a fish is a +fish, and if you catch 'em you can eat 'em; but it's a +very different thing with birds. When you've never +seen 'em before, how are you goin' to tell but what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +they're some kin to an owl, a pigeon-hawk, or a crow? +And if I once get it into my head that there's any of +that kind of family blood in 'em, they disagree with me +just the same as if there really was."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp95" id="i_072" style="max-width: 46.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_072.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"MRS. LECKS AND MRS. ALESHINE STANDING ON THE END OF THE LITTLE WHARF."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>One afternoon, as I was returning in the boat from +the point on the other side of the island where I had +found the rustic seat and Emily's book, I was surprised +to see Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine standing +on the end of the little wharf. This was an unusual +thing for them to do, as they were very industrious +women and seldom had an idle moment, and it +seemed to be one of their greatest pleasures to discuss +the work they were going to do when they had +finished that on which they were then engaged. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> +was curious, therefore, to know why they should be +standing thus idly on the wharf, and pulled toward +them as rapidly as possible.</p> + +<p>When I had rowed near enough to hear them, Mrs. +Aleshine remarked with cheerful placidity:</p> + +<p>"The Dusantes are comin'."</p> + +<p>The tide was quite low, and I could not see over the +reef; but in a few moments I had grounded the skiff +and had sprung upon the wharf. Out on the ocean, +about a mile away, I saw a boat, apparently a large +one, approaching the island.</p> + +<p>"Now, then, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, +"you'll soon see whether it's his two nieces, or his +daughters, wife and sister-in-law, or whatever of them +other relationships which you've got so pat."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Aleshine; "but, what's more, we'll +find out if he's goin' to be satisfied with the board +money we've put in the ginger-jar."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_073" style="max-width: 43.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_073.png" alt="A house in the tropics sketch"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span></p> + + + + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="PART_III">PART III</h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_074" style="max-width: 53.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_074.png" alt="Approaching boat with occupants"> +</figure> + +<p>When the boat which we saw approaching the +island had come near enough for us to distinguish +its occupants, we found that it contained five +persons. Three sat in the stern, and two were rowing. +Of those in the stern, we soon made out one to +be a woman, and after putting our eyesight to its very +best efforts, we were obliged to admit that there was +only one female on board.</p> + +<p>"Now, that's disapp'intin'," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"for I've wondered and wondered which I should +like best, Emily or Lucille, and now that only one of +'em has come, of course I can't tell."</p> + +<p>The boat came on, almost directly toward the passageway +in the reef, and it was not long before the +two women had been able to decide that Mr. Dusante +was an elderly man, and that the lady was moderately +young, and in all probability his daughter.</p> + +<p>"It may be," said Mrs. Aleshine, "that the mother,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> +whether she was Emily, or whether she was Lucille, +has died, and for that reason they are comin' back +sooner than they expected."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope you're wrong there, Barb'ry Aleshine," +said Mrs. Lecks, "for they'll see lots of things +here that will freshen up their affliction, and that +won't make 'em any too lively people to be with."</p> + +<p>"On the other hand," said Mrs. Aleshine, "it may +be that Emily, or else Lucille, has got married, and +has gone away with her husband to travel, and by +the time she's got a little baby she'll come here to +live on account of the sea air for the child, and that'll +make the house pleasant, Mrs. Lecks."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to know how long you expect to live +here," said Mrs. Lecks, regarding her friend with some +severity.</p> + +<p>"That's not for me to say," replied Mrs. Aleshine, +"knowin' nothin' about it. But this I will say, that +I hope they have brought along with them some indigo +blue, for I nearly used up all there was the last time +I washed."</p> + +<p>During this dialogue I had been thinking that it +was a very strange thing for the owners of this place +to visit their island in such a fashion. Why should +they be in an open boat? And where did they come +from? Wherever they might live, it was not at all +probable that they would choose to be rowed from +that point to this. From the general character and +appointments of the house in which we had found a +refuge, it was quite plain that its owners were people +in good circumstances, who were in the habit of attending +to their domestic affairs in a very orderly and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +proper way. It was to be presumed that it was their +custom to come here in a suitable vessel, and to bring +with them the stores needed during their intended +stay. Now, there could be little or nothing in that +boat, and, on the whole, I did not believe it contained +the owners of this island.</p> + +<p>It would not do, however, to assume anything of +the kind. There might have been a disaster; in fact, +I know nothing about it, but it was my immediate +duty to go and meet these people at the passage, for, +if they were unable to unlock the bars, their boat +could not enter, and I must ferry them across the +lagoon. Without communicating my doubts to my +companions, I hurried into the skiff, and pulled as far +as possible into the passage through the reef. The +bars, of which there were more than I at first supposed, +were so arranged that it was impossible for a boat to +go in or out at any stage of the tide.</p> + +<p>I had been there but a few minutes when the boat +from without came slowly in between the rocks; and +almost as soon as I saw it, its progress was suddenly +stopped by a sunken bar.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried several men at once.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried I, in return. "Have you the key +to these bars?"</p> + +<p>A stout man with a red beard stood up in the stern. +"Key?" said he, "what key?"</p> + +<p>"Then you do not belong here?" said I. "Who +are you?"</p> + +<p>At this, the gentleman who was sitting by the lady +arose to his feet. He was a man past middle age, +rather tall and slim, and when he stood up the slight<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +rolling of the boat made him stagger, and he came +near falling.</p> + +<p>"You'd better sit down, sir," said the man with the +red beard, who I saw was a sailor. "You can talk +better that way."</p> + +<p>The gentleman now seated himself, and thus addressed +me:</p> + +<p>"I am, sir, the Reverend Mr. Enderton, lately missionary +to Nanfouchong, China, and this is my +daughter, Miss Enderton. We are returning to the +United States by way of the Sandwich Islands, and +took passage in a sailing-vessel for Honolulu. About +two weeks ago this vessel, in some way which I do +not understand, became disabled—"</p> + +<p>"Rotten forem'st," interrupted the man with the +red beard, "which give way in a gale; strained and +leaky, besides."</p> + +<p>"I did not know the mast was rotten," said the +gentleman, "but, since the occasion of our first really +serviceable wind, she has been making very unsatisfactory +progress. And, more than that, the whole +force of seamen was employed night and day in endeavoring +to keep the water out of the tea, thereby +causing such a thumping and pounding that sleep +was out of the question. Add to this the fact that +our meals became very irregular, and were sometimes +entirely overlooked—"</p> + +<p>"Prog was gettin' mighty short," interpolated the +red-bearded man.</p> + +<p>"You can easily discern, sir," continued the gentleman, +"that it was impossible for myself and my +daughter to remain longer on that vessel, on which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span> +we were the only passengers. I therefore requested +the captain to put us ashore at the nearest land, and, +after more than a week of delay and demur, he consented +to do so."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't do it," said the man, "till there was +land nigh enough."</p> + +<p>"The captain informed me," continued the gentleman, +"that this island was inhabited, and that I could +here find shelter and repose until a vessel could be sent +from Honolulu to take me off. He furnished me with +this boat and three seamen, one of whom," pointing +to the red-bearded man, "is a coxswain. We have +been rowing ever since early this morning, with but +a very moderate quantity of food and much discomfort. +Now, sir, you have heard my story; and I ask +you, as one man to another, if you still intend to bar +your water-gates against us?"</p> + +<p>"I did not bar the gates," I said, "and I would gladly +unlock them if I could. I belong to a shipwrecked +party who took refuge here some two weeks ago."</p> + +<p>"And how did you get in?" hastily inquired the +red-bearded coxswain.</p> + +<p>"Our boat sunk when we were within sight of the +island, and we came here on life-preservers, and so +got under the bars."</p> + +<p>The two men who had been rowing now turned +suddenly and looked at me. They both had black +beards, and they both exclaimed at the same moment, +"By George!"</p> + +<p>"I won't stop here to tell any more of our story," +said I. "The great point now is to get you all ashore, +and have you cared for."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span></p> + +<p>"That's so!" said the coxswain. And the two +sailors murmured, "Aye, aye, sir."</p> + +<p>The bar which stopped the progress of the larger +boat was just under the surface of the water, while +another a foot above the water kept my skiff about +six feet distant from the other boat. There was some +loose flooring in the bottom of the coxswain's boat, +and he ordered two of the boards taken out, and with +them a bridge was made, one end resting on the bow +of the larger boat, and the other on the iron bar by +my skiff.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the coxswain, "let the lady go first."</p> + +<p>The elderly gentleman arose, as if he would prefer +to take the lead, but his daughter, who had not yet +spoken a word, was passed forward by the coxswain, +steadied over the bridge by one of the sailors, and +assisted by me into the skiff. Then her father came +aboard, and I rowed with them to the wharf.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine came forward most +cordially to meet them.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dusante, I suppose?" said Mrs. Lecks, while +Mrs. Aleshine hurriedly whispered in my ear, "Is it +Lucille or Emily?"</p> + +<p>As quickly as possible I explained the situation. +For a few moments Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine +stood speechless. Nothing which had happened to +them, the wreck of the steamer, the sinking of the +boat, or our experience with life-preservers, affected +them so much as this disappointment in regard to the +problem of the Dusante family. Travel by sea was +all novel and strange to them, and they had expected +all sorts of things to which they were not accustomed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +but they had never imagined that Fate would be so +hard upon them as to snatch away the solution of this +mystery just as they were about to put their hands +upon it. But, in spite of this sudden blow, the two +good women quickly recovered themselves, and with +hearty and kindly words hurried the missionary and +his daughter to the house, while I went to bring over +the men.</p> + +<p>I found the three sailors busy in securing their boat +so that it would not be injured by the rocks during +the rising and falling of the tide. When they had +finished this job, they had to do a good deal of scrambling +before they reached my skiff.</p> + +<p>"We thought at first, sir," said the coxswain, as I +rowed them across the lagoon, "that it was all gammon +about your not livin' here, and havin' no keys to +them bars; but we've come to the 'pinion that if +you'd been able to unlock 'em you'd have done it +sooner than take all this trouble."</p> + +<p>I now related my story more fully, and the men +were greatly astonished when they heard that my +companions in this adventure were two women. Upon +my asking the coxswain why he had come to this +island, he replied that his captain had heard that +people lived on it, although he knew nothing about +them; and that, as it would be almost impossible to +get his brig here with the wind that was then prevailing, +and as he did not wish to go out of his course +anyway, he made up his mind that he would rather +lose the services of three men than keep that missionary +on board a day longer.</p> + +<p>"You see, sir," said the coxswain, as we went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> +ashore, "the parson wouldn't never take it into account +that we were short of prog, and leakin' like +Sam Hill; and because things were uncomfortable +he growled up and he growled down, till he was wuss +for the spirits of the men than the salt water comin' +in or the hard-tack givin' out, and there was danger, +if he wasn't got rid of, that he'd be pitched overboard +and left to take his chances for a whale. And then, +by sendin' us along, that give the crew three half-rations +a day extry, and that'll count for a good deal +in the fix they're in."</p> + +<p>When I reached the house I took the men into the +kitchen, where Mrs. Aleshine already had the table +spread. There were bread and cold meat, while the +tea-kettle steamed by the fire. In a very short time +three happy mariners sat round that table, while Mrs. +Aleshine, with beaming face, attended to their wants, +and plied them with innumerable questions. They had +not finished eating when Mrs. Lecks entered the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"I put that minister and his daughter in the two +front bedrooms," said she to me, after hospitably +greeting the three men, "which me and Mrs. Aleshine +had run and got ready for the Dusantes, as soon as +you went in your boat to meet 'em. The young lady +was mighty nigh worn out, and glad enough of the tea +and things, and to get into bed. But the gentleman +he wanted a soft-boiled egg, and when I told him I +hadn't come across no hen-house yet on this island, he +looked at me as if he didn't half believe me, and +thought I was keepin' the eggs to sell."</p> + +<p>"Which it would be ridiculous to do," said Mrs. +Aleshine, "in the middle of an ocean like this."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span></p> + +<p>"If he lets you off with soft-b'iled eggs, ma'am," +said the coxswain, very respectfully, "I think you may +bless your stars."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir," said the two sailors with black +beards.</p> + +<p>Miss Ruth Enderton and her father did not make +their appearance until the next morning at breakfast-time. +I found the young lady a very pleasant person. +She was rather slight in figure, inclined to be pretty, +and was what might be called a warm-colored blonde. +Her disposition was quite sociable, and she almost +immediately stepped into the favor of Mrs. Lecks and +Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton, however, was a person of another +sort. He was a prim and somewhat formal man, and +appeared to be entirely self-engrossed, with very +vague notions in regard to his surroundings. He +was not by any means an ill-tempered man, being +rather inclined to be placid than otherwise; but he +gave so little attention to circumstances and events +that he did not appear to understand why he should +be incommoded by the happenings of life. I have no +doubt that he made existence on board the disabled +brig a hundred times more unsatisfactory than it +would otherwise have been. With his present condition +he seemed very well satisfied, and it was quite +plain that he looked upon Mrs. Lecks, Mrs. Aleshine,; +and myself as the proprietors of the establishment, +having forgotten, or paid no attention to, my statement +in regard to our coming here.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span></p> + +<figure class="figright illowp84" id="i_083" style="max-width: 24.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_083.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"MR. ENDERTON WAS A PERSON OF ANOTHER SORT."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As soon as she thought it fit and proper—and this +moment arrived in the course of the first forenoon—Mrs. +Lecks spoke to Mr. Enderton on the subject of +the board which should be paid to the Dusantes. She +stated the arrangements we had made in the matter, +and then told him that as he and his daughter had +the best accommodations in the house, each occupying +a large, handsome +room, she thought that he +should pay fifteen dollars +a week for the two.</p> + +<p>"Now, if your daughter," +she continued, "can +do anything about the +house which will be of +real help, though for the +life of me I don't see what +she can find to do, with +me and Mrs. Aleshine here, somethin' might be took +off on account of her services; but of course you, sir, +can't do nothin', unless you was to preach on Sundays, +and not knowin' what denomination the Dusantes +belong to, it wouldn't be fair to take their +money to pay for the preachin' of doctrines which, +perhaps, they don't believe in."</p> + +<p>This financial proposal aroused Mr. Enderton's opposition. +"When I came here, madam," he said, "I +did not expect to pay any board whatever, and I +think, moreover, that your rates are exorbitant. In +Nanfouchong, if I remember rightly, the best of +board did not cost more than two or three dollars +a week."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span></p> + +<p>"I don't want to say anything, sir," said Mrs. Lecks, +"which might look disrespectful, but as long as I've +got a conscience inside of me I'm not goin' to stay +here and see the Dusantes lose money by Chinese +cheapness."</p> + +<p>"I don't know anything about the Dusantes," said +Mr. Enderton, "but I am not going to pay fifteen +dollars a week for board for myself and daughter."</p> + +<p>The discussion lasted for some time, with considerable +warmth on each side, and was at last ended by +Mr. Enderton agreeing to pay board at the same rate +as the two women and myself, and each week to deposit +in the ginger-jar eight dollars for himself and +daughter.</p> + +<p>"You may not care to remember, sir," said Mrs. +Lecks, with cold severity, "that Mr. Craig and me +and Mrs. Aleshine puts in services besides, although, +to be sure, they don't go into the jar."</p> + +<p>"I only remember," said Mr. Enderton, "that I am +paying an unjustifiable price as it is."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, however, were not +at all of this opinion, and they agreed that, if it should +be in their power, they would see to it that the Dusantes +lost nothing by this close-fisted missionary.</p> + +<p>After dinner—and I may remark that the newcomers +were not consulted in regard to the hours for meals—Mrs. +Lecks had an interview with the coxswain on +the subject of board for himself and his two companions. +This affair, however, was very quickly settled, +for the three mariners had among them only one dollar +and forty-three cents, and this, the coxswain explained, +they would like to keep for tobacco. It was +therefore settled that, as the three sailors could pay +no money, as much work as possible should be got out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> +of them, and to this plan they agreed heartily and +cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"There's only one thing we'll ask, ma'am," said +the coxswain to Mrs. Lecks, "and that is that we be +put in a different mess from the parson. We've now +eat two meals with the passengers, and me and my +mates is agreed that that's about as much as we +can go."</p> + +<p>After this, therefore, the three men had their meals +in the kitchen, where they were generally joined by +Mrs. Aleshine, who much delighted in their company. +But she made it a point sometimes to sit down with +us in the dining-room, merely to show that she had as +much right there as anybody.</p> + +<p>"As to the work for them sailormen," said Mrs. +Aleshine, "I don't see what they're goin' to do. Of +course they don't know nothin' about gardenin', and +it seems to me that the best thing to be done is to put +'em to fishin'."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks considered this a good suggestion, and +accordingly the coxswain and his companions were +told that thereafter they would be expected to fish +for eight hours a day, Sundays excepted. This plan, +however, did not work very well. During the first +two days the sailors caught so many fish that, although +the fishermen themselves had excellent appetites +for such food, it was found utterly impossible to +consume what they brought in. Consequently, it was +ordered that thereafter they should catch only as +many fish as should be needed, and then make themselves +useful by assisting Mrs. Aleshine and Mrs. +Lecks in any manner they might direct.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span></p> + +<p>I found it quite easy to become acquainted with +Miss Ruth Enderton, as she was very much inclined +to conversation. "It's ever so long," she said, "since +I've had anybody to talk to."</p> + +<p>She had left the United States when she was quite +a little girl, and had since seen nothing of her native +land. She was, consequently, full of questions about +America, although quite willing to talk of her life in +China. Society, at least such kind as she had ever +cared for, had been extremely scarce in the little missionary +station at which she had lived so long, and +now, coming from a wearisome sojourn on a disabled +sailing-vessel, with no company but the crew and a +preoccupied father, she naturally was delighted to get +among people she could talk to. With Mrs. Lecks, +Mrs. Aleshine, and myself she soon became very +friendly, and showed herself to be a most lively and +interesting young person.</p> + +<p>I did all that I could to make Miss Ruth's time pass +agreeably. I rowed with her on the lagoon, taught +her to fish, and showed her all the pleasant points on +the island which could be easily reached by walking. +Mr. Enderton gave us very little of his company, for, +having discovered that there was a library in the +house, he passed most of his time in that room.</p> + +<p>"You have made a very fair selection of books, sir," +he remarked to me, "but it may readily be conceived, +from the character of the works, that your tastes are +neither ecclesiastic nor scientific."</p> + +<p>Several times I explained to him the ownership of +the library and the house, but he immediately forgot +what I had said, or paid no attention to it. When he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> +paid his board at the end of the week, he handed the +money to Mrs. Lecks; and although before his eyes +she put it into the ginger-jar, beneath the paper of +fish-hooks, I know very well that he considered he was +paying it to her for her own use and behoof. He +was comfortably lodged, he had all that he needed—and +very nearly all that he wanted—to eat, and I do not +know that I ever saw a man more contented with his lot.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp69" id="i_087" style="max-width: 46.3125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_087.png" alt="Lying on the beach under an umbrella"> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"I DID ALL THAT I COULD TO MAKE MISS RUTH'S TIME PASS AGREEABLY."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>As for the coxswain and the two sailors, they had +a very pleasant time of it, but Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine would not think of such a thing as allowing +them to eat in idleness the bread of the Dusantes. +After they had been with us a few days, Mrs. Lecks +told me that she thought she could show the coxswain +and his mates how to dig and gather the garden-stuff +which was daily needed.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span></p> + +<p>"To be sure," said she, "that work goes ag'in' part +of your board, but fishin' and bringin' in fire-wood +don't take up quarter of the time of them sailors, and +so that the garden work is done, I don't suppose it +matters to the Dusantes who does it. And that'll +give you more time to make things pleasant for Miss +Ruth, for, as far as I can see, there isn't a thing for +her to do, even if she knows how to do it."</p> + +<p>The three mariners were more than willing to do +anything desired by Mrs. Lecks or Mrs. Aleshine, to +whom they looked up with great admiration and respect. +The latter was their favorite, not only because +she was with them a great deal during their meals +and at other times, but because of her genial nature +and easy sociability. The men were always trying to +lighten her labors, and to do something that would +please her.</p> + +<p>One of them climbed to the top of what she called +a "palm-leaf-fan tree," and brought therefrom some +broad leaves, which he cut and trimmed and sewed, in +true nautical fashion, until he made some fans which +were heavy and clumsy, but, as he said, they would +stand half a gale of wind if she chose to raise it. The +coxswain caught or trapped two sea-birds, and, having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +clipped their wings, he spent days in endeavoring +to tame them, hoping to induce them, as far as the +power in them lay, to take the place of the barn-yard +fowls whose absence Mrs. Aleshine continually deplored. +Every evening the two black-bearded sailors +would dance hornpipes for her, much to her diversion +and delight.</p> + +<p>"I've often heard," she remarked, "that in these +hot cocoanut countries the tricks of the monkeys was +enough to keep everybody on a steady laugh, but I'm +sure sailormen is a great deal better. When you get +tired of their pranks and their tomfooleries you can +tell 'em to stop, which with monkeys you can't."</p> + +<p>It was about ten days after the arrival of the missionary's +party that, as I was going to get ready the +boat in which Miss Ruth and myself generally rowed +in the cool of the evening, I saw Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine sitting on the beach in the shade of some +low-growing trees. They were evidently waiting for +me, and as soon as I appeared Mrs. Lecks beckoned +to me; whereupon I joined them.</p> + +<p>"Sit down," said Mrs. Lecks; "there's somethin' I +want to talk to you about. Mrs. Aleshine and me +have made up our minds that you ought to be hurried +up a little about poppin' the question to Miss Ruth."</p> + +<p>This remark astounded me. "Popping the question!" +I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued Mrs. Lecks, "and me and Mrs. +Aleshine know very well that you haven't done it +yet, for both of us havin' been through that sort of +thing ourselves, we know the signs of it after it has +happened."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span></p> + +<p>"And we wouldn't say nothin' to hurry you," +added Mrs. Aleshine, "if it wasn't that the groceries, +especially the flour, is a-gettin' low. We've been +talkin' to them sailormen, and they're pretty well +agreed that there's no use now in expectin' their +captain to send for 'em; for if he was a-goin' to do it at +all, he'd 'a' done it before this. And perhaps he never +got nowhere himself, in which case he couldn't. And +they say the best thing we can all do when the victuals +has nearly give out, provided the Dusantes don't +come back in time, is to take what's left, and all get +into their big boat, and row away to that island, which +I don't know just how far it is, that the captain of our +ship was goin' to. There we can stay pretty comfortable +till a ship comes along and takes us off."</p> + +<p>"But what has all that to do," I asked, "with Miss +Ruth and me?"</p> + +<p>"Do?" cried Mrs. Lecks. "It has everythin' to do. +When it's all settled and fixed between you and Miss +Ruth, there'll be nothin' to hinder us from gettin' +ready to start when we please."</p> + +<p>"But, my dear friends," I said with much earnestness, +"I have not the slightest idea of proposing to +Miss Enderton."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I said to Mrs. Aleshine," said +Mrs. Lecks, "and that's the reason we let our irons +cool, and come out here to talk to you. It's just like +a young man to keep puttin' off that sort of thing, +but this can't be put off."</p> + +<p>"That's so!" cried Mrs. Aleshine; "and I'll just +let you see how the matter stands. There is housekeepers +who allows a pint of flour a day to each person,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +but this is for farm-hands and people who works +hard and eats hearty, and I've found that three +quarters of a pint will do very well, if the dough is +kneaded conscientious and made up light, so that it'll +rise well when it's put into the oven. Now I've +measured all the flour that's left, and me and Mrs. +Lecks we've calculated that, allowin' three quarters +of a pint of flour a day to each one of us, there's just +eight days more that we can stay here—that is, if the +Dusantes don't come back before that time, which, of +course, can't be counted on. So you can see for +yourself, Mr. Craig, there's no time to be lost, even +considerin' that she hasn't to make up anything to be +married in."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_091" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_091.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"THEY WERE EVIDENTLY WAITING FOR ME."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"No," said Mrs. Lecks; "just for us and three +sailors, that wouldn't be needed."</p> + +<p>I looked from one to the other in dumb astonishment. +Mrs. Lecks gave me no time to say anything.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span></p> + +<p>"In common cases," said she, "this might all be +put off till we got somewhere; but it won't do now. +Here you are, with everythin' in your own hands, but +just get away from here, and there's an end of that. +She's as pretty a girl as you'll see in a month of +Sundays, and if she leaves here without your gettin' +her, there's no knowing who'll snap her up. When +we've got to that island, you may see her once a +week, but maybe you won't. She may go away in one +ship, and you in another, and there may be somebody +right there—a missionary, for all I know—who'll +have her before you have a chance to put in a word."</p> + +<p>"And that's not the worst of it," said Mrs. Aleshine. +"Supposin' them Dusantes come back before +we go. There's no knowin' what that Mr. Dusante +is. He may be a brother of Emily and Lucille. And +what sort of a chance would you have then, I'd like +to know, with Miss Ruth right here in his own house, +and he ownin' the rowboat, and everythin'? Or it +may be he's a widower, and that'll be a mighty sight +worse, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"No matter whether they're widowers or never +been married," said Mrs. Lecks, "there'll be plenty +that'll want her as soon as they see her; and if it +isn't for the girl's own pretty face, it'll be for her +father's money."</p> + +<p>"Her father's money!" I exclaimed. "What are +you talking of?"</p> + +<p>"There's no good tellin' me anything about that," +said Mrs. Lecks, very decidedly. "There never was +a man as close-fisted as Mr. Enderton who hadn't +money."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span></p> + +<p>"And you know as well as we do," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"that in them countries where he's been the +heathens worship idols of silver and idols of gold, and +when them heathens is converted, don't you suppose +the missionaries get any of that? I expect that Mr. +Enderton has converted thousands of heathens."</p> + +<p>At this suggestion I laughed outright. But Mrs. +Lecks reproved me.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Craig," said she, "this is no laughin' +matter. What me and Mrs. Aleshine is sayin' is for +your good, and for the good of Miss Ruth along with +you. I haven't much opinion of her father, but his +money is as good as anybody else's, and though they +had to leave their trunks on board their ship, what +little they brought with them shows that they've been +used to havin' the best there is. Mrs. Aleshine and +me has set up till late into the night talkin' over this +thing, and we are both of one mind that you two need +never expect to have the same chance again that you've +got now. The very fact that the old gentleman is a +preacher, and can marry you on the spot, ought to +make you tremble when you think of the risks you +are runnin' by puttin' it off."</p> + +<p>"I've got to go into the house now to see about +supper," said Mrs. Aleshine, rising, "and I hope +you'll remember, Mr. Craig, when your bread is on +your plate, and Miss Ruth is sittin' opposite to you, +that three quarters of a pint of flour a day is about +as little as anybody can live on, and that time is +flyin'."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks now also rose. But I detained the two +for a moment.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span></p> + +<p>"I hope you have not said anything to Miss Enderton +on this subject," I said.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Mrs. Aleshine, "we haven't. We are +both agreed that as you're the one that's to do what's +to be done, you are the one that's to be spoke to. +And havin' been through it ourselves, we understand +well enough that the more a woman don't know +nothin' about it, the more likely she is to be ketched +if she wants to be."</p> + +<p>The two women left me in an amused but also +somewhat annoyed state of mind. I had no intention +whatever of proposing to Miss Ruth Enderton. She +was a charming girl, very bright and lively, and +withal, I had reason to believe, very sensible. But it +was not yet a fortnight since I first saw her, and no +thought of marrying her had entered into my head. +Had Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, or, more important +than all, had Miss Enderton, any reason to believe +that I was acting the part of a lover?</p> + +<p>The latter portion of this question was almost immediately +answered to my satisfaction by the appearance of Miss Ruth, +who came skipping down to me and +calling out to me in that free and hearty manner with +which a woman addresses a friend or near acquaintance, +but never a suspected lover. She betrayed no +more notion of the Lecks and Aleshine scheme than +on the day I first met her.</p> + +<p>But, as I was rowing her over the lagoon, I felt a +certain constraint which I had not known before. +There was no ground whatever for the wild imaginings +of the two women, but the fact that they had +imagined interfered very much with the careless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +freedom with which I had previously talked to Miss +Ruth. I do not think, however, that she noticed any +change in me, for she chatted and laughed, and showed, +as she had done from the first, the rare delight which +she took in this novel island life.</p> + +<p>When we returned to the house, we were met by +Mrs. Aleshine. "I am goin' to give you two your +supper," she said, "on that table there under the +tree. We all had ours a little earlier than common, +as the sailormen seemed hungry; and I took your +father's to him in the libr'ry, where I expect he's +a-sittin' yet, holdin' a book in one hand and stirrin' +his tea with the other, till he's stirred out nearly +every drop on the floor; which, however, won't +matter at all, for in the mornin' I'll rub up that floor +till it's as bright as new."</p> + +<p>This plan delighted Miss Ruth, but I saw in it the +beginning of the workings of a deep-laid scheme. I +was just about to sit down when Mrs. Aleshine said +to me in a low voice, as she left us:</p> + +<p>"Remember that the first three quarters of a pint +apiece begins now!"</p> + +<p>"Don't you think that Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine +are perfectly charming?" said Miss Ruth, as she +poured out the tea. "They always seem to be trying +to think of some kind thing to do for other people."</p> + +<p>I agreed entirely with Miss Enderton's remark, but +I could not help thinking of the surprise she would +feel if she knew of the kind thing that these two +women were trying to do for her.</p> + +<p>"Have you taken any steps yet?" asked Mrs. Lecks +of me, the next day. On my replying that I had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +taken no steps of the kind to which I supposed she +alluded, she walked away with a very grave and serious +face.</p> + +<p>A few hours later Mrs. Aleshine came to me. +"There's another reason for hurryin' up," said she. +"Them sailormen seems able to do without 'most +anything in this world except tobacco, and Mrs. Lecks +has been sellin' it to 'em out of a big box she found in +a closet up-stairs, at five cents a teacupful,—which I +think is awful cheap, but she says prices in islands is +always low,—and wrapping the money up in a paper, +with 'Cash paid by sailormen for tobacco' written +on it, and puttin' it into the ginger-jar with the +board money. But their dollar and forty-three cents +is nearly gone, and Mrs. Lecks she says that not a +whiff of Mr. Dusante's tobacco shall they have if they +can't pay for it. And when they have nothin' to smoke +they'll be wantin' to leave this island just as quick as +they can, without waitin' for the flour to give out."</p> + +<p>Here was another pressure brought to bear upon +me. Not only the waning flour, but the rapidly disappearing +tobacco money was used as a weapon to +urge me forward to the love-making which Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine had set their hearts upon.</p> + +<p>I was in no hurry to leave the island, and hoped +very much that when we did go we should depart in +some craft more comfortable than a ship's boat. In +order, therefore, to prevent any undue desire to leave +on the part of the sailors, I gave them money enough +to buy a good many teacups full of tobacco. By this +act I think I wounded the feelings of Mrs. Lecks and +Mrs. Aleshine, although I had no idea that such would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +be the effect of my little gift. They said nothing to +me on the subject, but their looks and manners indicated +that they thought I had not been acting honorably. +For two days they had very little to say to me, +and then Mrs. Aleshine came to me to make what, I +suppose, was their supreme effort.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Lecks and me is a-goin' to try," she said,—and +as she spoke she looked at me with a very sad expression +and a watery appearance about the eyes,—"to +stretch out the time for you a little longer. +We are goin' to make them sailormen eat more fish; +and as for me and her, we'll go pretty much without +bread, and make it up, as well as we can, on other +things. You and Miss Ruth and the parson can each +have your three quarters of a pint of flour a day, just +the same as ever, and what we save ought to give you +three or four days longer."</p> + +<p>This speech moved me deeply. I could not allow +these two kind-hearted women to half starve themselves +in order that I might have more time to woo, +and I spoke very earnestly on the subject to Mrs. +Aleshine, urging her to give up the fanciful plans +which she and Mrs. Lecks had concocted.</p> + +<p>"Let us drop this idea of love-making," I said, +"which is the wildest kind of vagary, and all live +happily together, as we did before. If the provisions +give out before the Dusantes come back, I suppose we +shall have to leave in the boat; but, until that time +comes, let us enjoy life here as much as we can, and +be the good friends that we used to be."</p> + +<p>I might as well have talked to one of the palm-trees +which waved over us.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span></p> + +<p>"As I said before," remarked Mrs. Aleshine, "what +is saved from Mrs. Lecks's and mine and the three +sailormen's three quarters of a pint apiece ought to +give you four days more." And she went into the +house.</p> + +<p>All this time the Reverend Mr. Enderton had sat +and read in the library, or meditatively had walked +the beach with a book in his hand; while the three +mariners had caught fish, performed their other work, +and lain in the shade, smoking their pipes in peace. +Miss Ruth and I had taken our daily rows and walks, +and had enjoyed our usual hours of pleasant converse, +and all the members of the little colony seemed happy +and contented except Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. +These two went gravely and sadly about their work, +and the latter asked no more for the hornpipes and +the sea-songs of her sailormen.</p> + +<p>But, for some unaccountable reason, Mr. Enderton's +condition of tranquil abstraction did not continue. +He began to be fretful and discontented. He found +fault with his food and his accommodations, and instead +of spending the greater part of the day in the +library, as had been his wont, he took to wandering +about the island, generally with two or three books +under his arm, sometimes sitting down in one place, +and sometimes in another, and then rising suddenly +to go grumbling into the house.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, as Miss Ruth and I were in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> +skiff in the lagoon, we saw Mr. Enderton approaching +us, walking on the beach. As soon as he was near +enough for us to hear him, he shouted to his daughter:</p> + +<figure class="figright illowp57" id="i_099" style="max-width: 23.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_099.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"SMOKING THEIR PIPES IN PEACE."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"Ruth, come out of that boat! If you want to take +the air, I should think you might as well walk with me +as to go rowing round with—with anybody."</p> + +<p>This rude and heartless speech made my blood boil, +while my companion turned pale with mortification. +The man had never made the slightest objection to +our friendly intercourse, +and this +unexpected attack +was entirely indefensible.</p> + +<p>"Please put me +ashore," said Miss +Ruth, and without +a word, for I +could not trust myself +to speak, I +landed her; and, +petulantly complaining +that she +never gave him one +moment of her society, +her father led +her away.</p> + +<p>An hour later, my soul still in a state of turmoil, +but with the violence of its tossings somewhat abated, +I entered one of the paths which led through the +woods. After a few turns, I reached a point where I +could see for quite a long distance to the other end of +the path, which opened out upon the beach. There I +perceived Mr. Enderton sitting upon the little bench +on which I had found Emily's book. His back was +toward me, and he seemed to be busily reading. +About midway between him and myself I saw Miss +Ruth slowly walking toward me. Her eyes were fixed +upon the ground, and she had not seen me.</p> + +<p>Stepping to one side, I awaited her approach. +When she came near I accosted her.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span></p> + +<p>"Miss Ruth," said I, "has your father been talking +to you of me?"</p> + +<p>She looked up quickly, evidently surprised at my +being there. "Yes," she said, "he has told me that it +is not—suitable that I should be with you as much as +I have been since we came here."</p> + +<p>There was something in this remark that roused +again the turmoil which had begun to subside within +me. There was so much that was unjust and tyrannical, +and—what perhaps touched me still deeper—there +was such a want of consideration and respect in +this behavior of Mr. Enderton's, that it brought to the +front some very incongruous emotions. I had been +superciliously pushed aside, and I found I was angry. +Something was about to be torn from me, and I +found I loved it.</p> + +<p>"Ruth," said I, stepping up close to her, "do you +like to be with me as you have been?"</p> + +<p>If Miss Ruth had not spent such a large portion of +her life in the out-of-the-world village of Nanfouchong, +if she had not lived among those simple-hearted +missionaries, where it was never necessary to +conceal her emotions or her sentiments, if it had not +been that she never had had emotions or sentiments +that it was necessary to conceal, I do not believe that +when she answered me she would have raised her +eyes to me with a look in them of a deep-blue sky seen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +through a sort of Indian-summer mist, and that, gazing +thus, she would have said:</p> + +<p>"Of course I like it."</p> + +<p>"Then let us make it suitable," I said, taking both +her hands in mine.</p> + +<p>There was another look, in which the skies shone +clear and bright, and then, in a moment, it was all +done.</p> + +<p>About five minutes after this I said to her, "Ruth, +shall we go to your father?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," she answered. And together we +walked along the thickly shaded path.</p> + +<p>The missionary still sat with his back toward us, +and, being so intent upon his book, I found that by +keeping my eyes upon him it was perfectly safe to +walk with my arm around Ruth until we had nearly +reached him. Then I took her hand in mine, and we +stepped in front of him.</p> + +<p>"Father," said Ruth, "Mr. Craig and I are going to +be married."</p> + +<p>There was something very plump about this remark, +and Mr. Enderton immediately raised his eyes from +his book and fixed them first upon his daughter and +then upon me; then he let them drop, and through +the narrow space between us he gazed out over the +sea.</p> + +<p>"Well, father," said Ruth, a little impatiently, +"what do you think of it?"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span></p> + +<figure class="figleft illowp50" id="i_102" style="max-width: 18.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_102.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"IT WAS PERFECTLY SAFE."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Mr. Enderton leaned forward and picked up a leaf +from the ground. This he placed between the open +pages of his book, and closed it.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," he said, "that on many accounts +the arrangement you propose may be an excellent one. +Yes," he added more decidedly; "I think it will do +very well indeed. I shall not be at all surprised if +we are obliged to remain on this island for a considerable +time, and, for my +part, I have no desire +to leave it at present. +And when you shall +place yourself, Ruth, +in a position in which +you will direct the domestic +economies of +the establishment, I +hope that you will see +to it that things generally +are made more +compatible with comfort +and gentility, and, +as regards the table, I +may add with palatability."</p> + +<p>Ruth and I looked +at each other, and then +together we promised that as far as in us lay we would +try to make the life of Mr. Enderton a happy one, not +only while we were on the island, but ever afterward.</p> + +<p>We were promising a great deal, but at that moment +we felt very grateful.</p> + +<p>Then he stood up, shook us both by the hands, and +we left him to his book.</p> + +<p>When Ruth and I came walking out of the woods +and approached the house, Mrs. Aleshine was standing +outside, not far from the kitchen. When she saw +us she gazed steadily at us for a few moments, a +strange expression coming over her face. Then she +threw up both her hands, and without a word she +turned and rushed indoors.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span></p> + +<p>We had not reached the house before Mrs. Lecks +and Mrs. Aleshine came hurrying out together. Running +up to us with a haste and an excitement I had +never seen in either of them, first one and then the +other took Ruth into her arms and kissed her with +much earnestness. Then they turned upon me and +shook my hands with hearty vigor, expressing, more +by their looks and actions than their words, a triumphant +approbation of what I had done.</p> + +<p>"The minute I laid eyes on you," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"I knowed it was all right. There wasn't no +need of askin' questions."</p> + +<p>I now became fearful lest, in the exuberance of +their satisfaction, these good women might reveal to +Ruth the plans they had laid for our matrimonial +future, and the reluctance I had shown in entering +into them. My countenance must have expressed +my apprehensions, for Mrs. Aleshine, her ruddy face +glowing with warmth, both mental and physical, gave +me a little wink, and drew me to one side.</p> + +<p>"You needn't suppose that we've ever said anything +to Miss Ruth, or that we're goin' to. It's a great +deal better to let her think you did it all yourself."</p> + +<p>I felt like resenting this imputation upon the independence +of my love-making, but at this happy moment +I did not want to enter into a discussion, and +therefore merely smiled.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span></p> + +<p>"I'm so glad, I don't know how to tell it," continued +Mrs. Aleshine, as Mrs. Lecks and Ruth walked toward +the house.</p> + +<p>I was about to follow, but my companion detained +me.</p> + +<p>"Have you spoke to the parson?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said I, "and he seems perfectly satisfied. +I am rather surprised at this, because of late he has +been in such a remarkably bad humor."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Mrs. Aleshine; "there's no +gettin' round the fact that he's been a good deal +crosser than two sticks. You see, Mr. Craig, that +Mrs. Lecks and me we made up our minds that it +wasn't fair to the Dusantes to let that rich missionary +go on payin' nothin' but four dollars a week apiece +for him and his daughter, and if we couldn't get no +more out of him one way, we'd do it another. It was +fair enough that if he didn't pay more he ought to +get less; and so we gave him more fish and not so +much bread, the same as we did the sailormen; and +we weakened his tea, and sent him just so much +sugar, and no more; and as for openin' boxes of sardines +for him, which there was no reason why they +shouldn't be left here for the Dusantes, I just wouldn't +do it, though he said he'd got all the fresh fish he +wanted when he was in China. And then we agreed +that it was high time that that libr'ry should be +cleaned up, and we went to work at it, not mindin' +what he said; for it's no use tellin' me that four dollars +a week will pay for a front room and good board, +and the use of a libr'ry all day. And as there wasn't +no need of both of us cleanin' one room, Mrs. Lecks<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +she went into the parlor, where he'd took his books, +and begun there. And then, again, we shut down on +Mr. Dusante's dressing-gown. There was no sense +includin' the use of that in his four dollars a week, so +we brushed it up, and camphored it, and put it away. +We just wanted to let him know that if he undertook +to be skinflinty, he'd better try it on somebody else +besides us. We could see that he was a good deal +upset, for if ever a man liked to have things quiet +and comfortable around him, and everything his own +way, that man is that missionary.But we didn't +care if we did prod him up a little. Mrs. Lecks and +me we both agreed that it would do him good. Why, +he'd got into such a way of shettin' himself up in +himself that he didn't even see that his daughter was +goin' about with a young man, and fixin' her affections +on him more and more every day, when he never had +no idea, as could be proved by witnesses, of marryin' +her."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp67" id="i_105" style="max-width: 45em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_105.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"'I KNOWED IT WAS ALL RIGHT.'"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"Mrs. Aleshine," said I, looking at her very steadfastly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +"I believe, after all, that you and Mrs. Lecks +had your own way in regard to hurrying up this +matter."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said she, with happy complacency; "I +shouldn't wonder if we had. Stirrin' up the parson +was our last chance, and it wasn't much trouble to +do it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks, whose manner toward me for the last +few days had been characterized by cold severity, now +resumed her former friendly demeanor, although she +was not willing to let the affair pass over without +some words of reproach.</p> + +<p>"I must say, Mr. Craig," she remarked the next morning, +"that I was gettin' pretty well outdone with you. I +was beginnin' to think that a young man that couldn't +see and wouldn't see what was good for him didn't +deserve to have it; and if Miss Ruth's father had just +come down with a heavy foot and put an end to the +whole business, I'm not sure I'd been sorry for you. +But it's all right at last, and bygones is bygones. +And now, what we've got to do is to get ready for +the weddin'."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span></p> + +<p>"The wedding!" I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks regarded me with an expression in which +there was something of virtuous indignation and +something of pity. "Mr. Craig," said she, "if there +ever was anybody that wanted a guardeen, it's you. +Now, just let me tell you this. That Mr. Enderton +ain't to be trusted no further than you can see him, +and not so fur, neither, if it can be helped. He's +willin' for you to have Miss Ruth now, because he's +pretty much made up his mind that we're goin' to +stay here, and as he considers you the master of this +island, of course he thinks it'll be for his good for +his daughter to be mistress of it. For one thing, he +wouldn't expect to pay no board then. But just let +him get away from this island, and just let him set his +eyes on some smooth-faced young fellow that'll agree +to take him into the concern and keep him for nothin' +on books and tea, he'll just throw you over without +winkin'. And Miss Ruth is not the girl to marry you +against his will, if he opens the Bible and piles texts +on her, which he is capable of doin'. If in any way +you two should get separated when you leave here, +there's no knowin' when you'd ever see each other +again, for where he'll take her nobody can tell. He's +more willin' to set down and stay where he finds himself +comfortable than anybody I've met yet."</p> + +<p>"Of course," I said, "I'm ready to be married at +any moment; but I don't believe Miss Ruth and her +father would consent to anything so speedy."</p> + +<p>"Don't you get into the way," said Mrs. Lecks, "of +beforehand believin' this or that. It don't pay. Just +you go to her father and talk to him about it, and if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +you and him agree, it'll be easy enough to make her +see the sense of it. You attend to them, and I'll see +that everythin' is got ready. And you'd better fix +the day for to-morrow, for we can't stay here much +longer, and there's a lot of house-cleanin' and bakin' +and cookin' to be done before we go."</p> + +<p>I took this advice, and broached the subject to Mr. +Enderton.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir," said he, laying down his book, "your +proposition is decidedly odd; I may say, very odd, +indeed. But it is, perhaps, after all, no odder than +many things I have seen. Among the various denominational +sects I have noticed occurrences quite +as odd; quite as odd, sir. For my part, I have no +desire to object to an early celebration of the matrimonial +rites. I may say, indeed, that I am of the +opinion that a certain amount of celerity in this matter +will conduce to the comfort of all concerned. It +has been a very unsatisfactory thing to me to see my +daughter occupying a subordinate position in our little +family, where she has not even the power to turn +household affairs into the channels of my comfort. +To-morrow, I think, will do very well indeed. Even +if it should rain, I see no reason why the ceremony +should be postponed."</p> + +<p>The proposition of a wedding on the morrow was +not received by Ruth with favor. She was unprepared +for such precipitancy. But she finally yielded +to arguments; not so much to mine, I fear, as to those +offered by Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>For the rest of that day the three mariners were +kept very busy, bringing in green things to deck the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +parlor, and doing every imaginable kind of work +necessary to a wedding which Mrs. Aleshine was willing +to give into their hands. As for herself and her +good friend, they put themselves upon their mettle as +providers of festivals. They made cakes, pies, and +I never knew half so well as the three sailors how +many other kinds of good things. Besides all this, +they assisted Ruth to array herself in some degree in +a manner becoming a bride. Some light and pretty +adornments of dress were borrowed from Emily or +Lucille, they knew not which, and, after having been +"done up" and fluted and crimped by Mrs. Lecks, +were incorporated by Ruth into her costume with so +much taste that on the wedding morning she appeared +to me to be dressed more charmingly than any bride +I had ever seen.</p> + +<p>The three sailors had done their own washing and +ironing, and appeared in cleanly garb, and with hair +and beards well wet and brushed. Mrs. Lecks and +Mrs. Aleshine put on their best bibs and tuckers, and +Mr. Enderton assumed his most clerical air as he +stood behind a table in the parlor and married Ruth +and me.</p> + +<p>"This," said Mr. Enderton, as we were seated at the +wedding-feast, "is a most creditable display of attractive +viands, but I may say, my dear Ruth, that I +think I perceived the influence of the happy event of +to-day even before it took place. I have lately had a +better appetite for my food, and have experienced +a greater enjoyment of my surroundings."</p> + +<p>"I should think so," murmured Mrs. Aleshine in +my ear, "for we'd no sooner knowed that you two<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +were to make a match of it than we put an extry +spoonful of tea into his pot, and stopped scrubbin' the +libr'ry."</p> + +<p>For the next two days all was bustle and work on +the island. Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine would not +consent to depart without leaving everything in the +best possible order, so that the Dusantes might not be +dissatisfied with the condition of their house when +they returned. It was, in fact, the evident desire of +the two women to gratify their pride in their house-wifely +abilities by leaving everything better than +they found it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton was much surprised at these preparations +for immediate departure. He was very well +satisfied with his life on the island, and had prepared +his mind for an indefinite continuance of it, with the +position of that annoying and obdurate Mrs. Lecks +filled by a compliant and affectionate daughter. He +had no reasonable cause for complaint, for the whole +subject of the exhaustion of our supply of provisions, +and the necessity of an open-boat trip to an inhabited +island, had been fully discussed before him; but he +was so entirely engrossed in the consideration of his +own well-being that this discussion of our plans had +made no impression upon him. He now became convinced +that a conspiracy had been entered into against +him, and fell into an unpleasant humor. This, however, +produced very little effect upon any of us, for +we were all too busy to notice his whims. But his +sudden change of disposition made me understand +how correct were the opinions of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine concerning him. If I had left that island +with my marriage with Ruth depending upon Mr. +Enderton's coöperation, my prospects of future happiness +would have been at the mercy of his caprices.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp49" id="i_111" style="max-width: 34.9375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_111.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"THEY ASSISTED RUTH TO ARRAY HERSELF."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_112"></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span></p> + +<p>Very early on a beautiful morning Ruth and I +started out on our wedding journey in the long-boat. +Mr. Enderton was made as comfortable as possible in +the stern, with Ruth near him. Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine sat facing each other, each with a brown-paper +package by her side, containing the life-preserver +on which she had arrived. These were to be +ever cherished as memorials of a wonderful experience. +The three sailors and I took turns at the oars. The +sea was smooth, and there was every reason to believe +that we should arrive at our destination before the +end of the day. Mrs. Aleshine had supplied us with +an abundance of provisions, and, with the exception +of Mr. Enderton, who had not been permitted to take +away any of the Dusante books, we were a contented +party.</p> + +<p>"As long as the flour held out," remarked Mrs. Aleshine, +"I'd never been willin' to leave that island till +the Dusantes came back, and we could have took +Emily or Lucille, whichever it was that kept house, +and showed her everythin', and told her just what we +had done. But when they do come back," she added, +"and read that letter which Mr. Craig wrote and left +for them, and find out all that happened in their +country-place while they was away; and how two of +us was made happy for life; and how two more of us, +meanin' Mrs. Lecks and me, have give up goin' to +Japan, intendin', instid of that, writin' to my son to +come home to America and settle down in the country<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> +he ought to live in,—why, then, if them Dusantes +ain't satisfied, it's no use for anybody to ever try to +satisfy 'em."</p> + +<p>"I should think not," said Mrs. Lecks, "with the +weddin'-cards on the parlor table, not a speck of dust +in any corner, and the board money in the ginger-jar."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp59" id="i_114" style="max-width: 22.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_114.png" alt="Back view of Mrs. ? sitting with parcels"> +</figure> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span></p> + + + + +<hr class="chap"> + +<h2 id="PART_IV">PART IV</h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_115" style="max-width: 53.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_115.png" alt="A boat with sails at sea"> +</figure> + +<p>When the little party, consisting of Mrs. Lecks +and Mrs. Aleshine, Mr. Enderton, my newly +made wife, and myself, with the red-bearded coxswain +and the two sailormen, bade farewell to that island in +the Pacific where so many happy hours had been +passed, where such pleasant friendships had been +formed, and where I had met my Ruth and made her +my wife, we rowed away with a bright sky over our +heads, a pleasant wind behind us, and a smooth sea +beneath us. The long-boat was comfortable and well +appointed, and there was even room enough in it for +Mr. Enderton to stretch himself out and take a noonday +nap. We gave him every advantage of this kind, +for we had found by experience that our party was +happiest when my father-in-law was best contented.</p> + +<p>Early in the forenoon the coxswain rigged a small +sail in the bow of the boat, and with this aid to our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +steady and systematic work at the oars we reached, +just before nightfall, the large island whither we were +bound, and to which, by means of the coxswain's +pocket-compass, we had steered a direct course. Our +arrival on this island, which was inhabited by some +white traders and a moderate population of natives, +occasioned great surprise; for when the boats containing +the crew and passengers of our unfortunate +steamer had reached the island, it was found that +Mrs. Lecks, Mrs. Aleshine, and myself were missing. +There were many suppositions as to our fate. Some +persons thought we had been afraid to leave the +steamer, and, having secreted ourselves on board, had +gone down with her. Others conjectured that in the +darkness we had fallen overboard, either from the +steamer or from one of the boats; and there was even +a surmise that we might have embarked in the leaky +small boat—in which we really did leave the steamer—and +so had been lost. At any rate, we had disappeared, +and our loss was a good deal talked about +and, in a manner, mourned. In less than a week +after their arrival the people from the steamer had +been taken on board a sailing-vessel and carried +westward to their destination.</p> + +<p>We, however, were not so fortunate, for we remained +on this island for more than a month. During +this time but one ship touched there, and she was +western bound and of no use to us, for we had determined +to return to America. Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine had given up their journey to Japan, and +were anxious to reach once more their country homes, +while my dear Ruth and I were filled with a desire to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +found a home on some pleasant portion of the Atlantic +seaboard. What Mr. Enderton intended to do +we did not know. He was on his way to the United +States when he left the leaking ship on which he and +his daughter were passengers, and his intentions regarding +his journey did not appear to have been +altered by his mishaps.</p> + +<p>By the western-bound vessel, however, Mrs. Aleshine +sent a letter to her son.</p> + +<p>Our life on this island was monotonous and to the +majority of the party uninteresting; but as it was the +scene of our honeymoon, Mrs. Craig and I will always +look back to it with the most pleasurable recollections. +We were comfortably lodged in a house belonging to +one of the traders, and although Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine had no household duties to occupy their +time, they managed to supply themselves with knitting-materials +from the stores on the island, and filled +up their hours of waiting with chatty industry. The +pipes of our sailor friends were always well filled, +while the sands of the island were warm and pleasant +for their backs, and it was only Mr. Enderton who +showed any signs of impatient repining at our +enforced stay. He growled, he grumbled, and he +inveighed against the criminal neglect of steamship +companies and the owners of sailing-craft in not +making it compulsory in every one of their vessels +to stop on every voyage at this island, where, at any +time, intelligent and important personages might be +stranded.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span></p> + +<p>At last, however, we were taken off by a three-masted +schooner bound for San Francisco, at which +city we arrived in due time and in good health and +condition.</p> + +<p>We did not remain long in this city, but soon +started on our way across the continent, leaving +behind us our three sailor companions, who intended +to ship from this port as soon as an advantageous +opportunity offered itself. These men heard no news +of their vessel, although they felt quite sure that she +had reached Honolulu, where she had probably been +condemned and the crew scattered. As some baggage +belonging to my wife and my father-in-law had been +left on board this vessel, I had hopes that Mr. Enderton +would remain in San Francisco and order it forwarded +to him there; or that he would even take a +trip to Honolulu to attend to the matter personally. +But in this I was disappointed. He seemed to take +very little interest in his missing trunks, and wished +only to press on to the East. I wrote to Honolulu, +desiring the necessary steps to be taken to forward +the baggage in case it had arrived there; and soon +afterward our party of five started eastward.</p> + +<p>It was now autumn, but, although we desired to +reach the end of our journey before winter set in, we +felt that we had time enough to visit some of the +natural wonders of the California country before +taking up our direct course to the East. Therefore, +in spite of some petulant remonstrances on the part +of Mr. Enderton, we made several trips to points of +interest.</p> + +<p>From the last of these excursions we set out in a +stage-coach, of which we were the only occupants, +toward a point on the railroad where we expected to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +take a train. On the way we stopped to change horses +at a small stage-station at the foot of a range of +mountains; and when I descended from the coach I +found the driver and some of the men at the station +discussing the subject of our route. It appeared that +there were two roads, one of which gradually ascended +the mountain for several miles, and then descended +to the level of the railroad, by the side of which it +ran until it reached the station where we wished to +take the train. The other road pursued its way along +a valley or notch in the mountain for a considerable +distance, and then, by a short but somewhat steep +ascending grade, joined the upper road.</p> + +<p>It was growing quite cold, and the sky and the wind +indicated that bad weather might be expected; and +as the upper road was considered the better one at +such a time, our driver concluded to take it. Six +horses, instead of four, were now attached to our +stage; and as two of these animals were young and +unruly, and promised to be unusually difficult to drive +in the ordinary way, our driver concluded to ride one +of the wheel-horses, postilion fashion, and to put a boy +on one of the leaders. Mr. Enderton was very much +afraid of horses, and objected strongly to the young +animals in our new team. But there were no others +to take their places, and his protests were disregarded.</p> + +<p>My wife and I occupied a back seat, having been +ordered to take this comfortable position by Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, who had constituted themselves +a board of instruction and admonition to Mrs. +Craig, and incidentally to myself. They fancied that +my wife's health was not vigorous, and that she needed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +coddling, and if she had had two mothers she could +not have been more tenderly cared for than by these +good women. They sat upon the middle seat with +their faces toward the horses, while Mr. Enderton +had the front seat all to himself. He was, however, +so nervous and fidgety, continually twisting himself +about endeavoring to get a view of the horses or of +the bad places on the road, that Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine found that a position facing him and in close +juxtaposition was entirely too uncomfortable; and +consequently, the back of their seat being adjustable, +they turned themselves about and faced us.</p> + +<p>The ascent of the mountain was slow and tedious, +and it was late in the afternoon when we reached the +highest point in our route, from which the road descended +for some eight miles to the level of the railroad. +Now our pace became rapid, and Mr. Enderton +grew wildly excited. He threw open the window, and +shouted to the driver to go more slowly; but Mrs. +Lecks seized him by the coat and jerked him back on +his seat before he could get any answer to his appeals.</p> + +<p>"If you want your daughter to ketch her death o' +cold you'll keep that window open!" As she said +this, she leaned back and pulled the window down +with her own strong right arm. "I guess the driver +knows what he is about," she continued, "this not +bein' the first time he's gone over the road."</p> + +<p>"Am I to understand, madam," said Mr. Enderton, +"that I am not to speak to my driver when I wish +him to know my will?"</p> + +<p>To this question Mrs. Lecks made no answer, but +sat up very straight and stiff, with her back square<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +upon the speaker. For some time she and Mr. Enderton +had been "out," and she made no effort to +conceal the fact.</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton's condition now became pitiable, for +our rapid speed and the bumping over rough places +in the road seemed almost to deprive him of his wits, +notwithstanding my assurance that stage-coaches +were generally driven at a rapid rate down long +inclines. In a short time, however, we reached a +level spot in the road, and the team was drawn up +and stopped. Mr. Enderton popped out in a moment, +and I also got down to have a talk with the driver.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp97" id="i_121" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_121.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"THE ASCENT OF THE MOUNTAIN WAS SLOW AND TEDIOUS."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"These hosses won't do much at holdin' back," he +said, "and it worries 'em less to let 'em go ahead +with the wheels locked. You needn't be afraid. If +nothin' breaks, we're all right."</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton seemed endeavoring to satisfy himself +that everything about the running-gear of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +coach was in a safe condition. He examined the +wheels, the axles, and the whiffletrees, much to the +amusement of the driver, who remarked to me that +the old chap probably knew as much now as he did +before. I was rather surprised that my father-in-law +subjected the driver to no further condemnation. On +the contrary, he said nothing except that for the rest +of this downhill drive he should take his place on +the driver's unoccupied seat. Nobody offered any +objection to this, and up he climbed.</p> + +<p>When we started again, Ruth seemed disturbed +that her father should be in such an exposed position, +but I assured her that he would be perfectly +safe, and would be much better satisfied at being able +to see for himself what was going on.</p> + +<p>We now began to go downhill again at a rate as +rapid as before. Our speed, however, was not equal. +Sometimes it would slacken a little where the road +was heavy or more upon a level, and then we would +go jolting and rattling over some long downward +stretch. After a particularly unpleasant descent of +this kind the coach seemed suddenly to change its +direction, and with a twist and an uplifting of one +side it bumped heavily against something, and stopped. +I heard a great shout outside, and from a window +which now commanded a view of the road I saw our +team of six horses, with the drivers pulling and tugging +at the two they rode, madly running away at +the top of their speed.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span></p> + +<figure class="figright illowp53" id="i_123" style="max-width: 22.375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_123.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"'WHAT HAS HAPPENED?' I EXCLAIMED."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Ruth, who had been thrown by the shock into the +arms of Mrs. Aleshine, was dreadfully frightened, +and screamed for her father. I had been pitched forward +upon Mrs. Lecks, but I quickly recovered +myself, and as soon as I found that none of the +occupants of the coach had been hurt, I opened the +door and sprang out.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the road stood Mr. Enderton, entirely +uninjured, with a jubilant expression on his +face, and in one hand a +large closed umbrella.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" +I exclaimed, hurrying +around to the front of the +coach, where I saw that +the pole had been broken +off about the middle of its +length.</p> + +<p>"Nothing has happened, +sir," replied Mr. Enderton. +"You cannot speak of a +wise and discreet act, determinately +performed, as +a thing which has happened. +We have been +saved, sir, from being dashed to pieces behind that +wild and unmanageable team of horses; and I will +add that we have been saved by my forethought and +prompt action."</p> + +<p>I turned and looked at him in astonishment. +"What do you mean?" I said. "What could you +have had to do with this accident?"</p> + +<p>"Allow me to repeat," said Mr. Enderton, "that it +was not an accident. The moment that we began to +go downhill I perceived that we were in a position of +the greatest danger. The driver was reckless, the +boy incompetent, and the horses unmanageable. As +my remonstrances and counsels had no effect upon +the man, and as you seemed to have no desire to join<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +me in efforts to restrain him to a more prudent rate +of speed, I determined to take the affair into my own +hands. I knew that the first thing to be done was to +rid ourselves of those horses. So long as we were +connected with them disaster was imminent. I knew +exactly what ought to be done. The horses must be +detached from the coach. I had read, sir, of inventions +especially intended to detach runaway horses +from a vehicle. To all intents and purposes our +horses were runaways, or would have become so in +a very short time. I now made it my object to free +ourselves from those horses."</p> + +<p>"What!" I exclaimed. "You freed us?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," he answered; "I did. I got out at +our first stop, and thoroughly examined the carriage +attachments. I found that the movable bar +to which the whiffletrees were attached was connected +to the vehicle by two straps and a bolt, the +latter having a ring at the top and an iron nut +at the bottom. While you and that reckless driver +were talking together, and paying no attention to +me, the only person in the party who thoroughly +comprehended our danger, I unbuckled those straps, +and with my strong, nervous fingers, without the aid +of implements, I unscrewed the nut from the bolt. +Then, sir, I took my seat on the outside of the coach, +and felt that I held our safety in my own hands. +For a time I allowed our vehicle to proceed; but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +when we approached this long slope which stretches +before us, and our horses showed signs of increasing +impetuosity, I leaned forward, hooked the handle of +my umbrella in the ring of the bolt, and with a mighty +effort jerked it out. I admit to you, sir, that I had +overlooked the fact that the horses were also attached +to the end of the pole, but I have often noticed that +when we are discreet in judgment and prompt in +action we are also fortunate. Thus was I fortunate. +The hindermost horses, suddenly released, rushed +upon those in front of them, and, in a manner, jumbled +up the whole team, which seemed to throw the +animals into such terror that they dashed to one side +and snapped off the pole, after which they went madly +tearing down the road, entirely beyond the control of +the two riders. Our coach turned and ran into the side +of the road with but a moderate concussion, and as I +looked at those flying steeds, with their riders vainly +endeavoring to restrain them, I could not, sir, keep +down an emotion of pride that I had been instrumental +in freeing myself, my daughter, and my +traveling companions from their dangerous proximity."</p> + +<p>The speaker ceased, a smile of conscious merit +upon his face. For the moment I could not say a +word to him, I was so angry. But had I been able +to say or do anything to indicate the wild indignation +that filled my brain, I should have had no opportunity, +for Mrs. Lecks stepped up to me and took me by the +arm. Her face was very stern, and her expression +gave one the idea of the rigidity of Bessemer steel.</p> + +<p>"I've heard what has been said," she remarked,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> +"and I wish to talk to this man. Your wife is over +there with Mrs. Aleshine. Will you please take a walk +with her along the road? You may stay away for a +quarter of an hour."</p> + +<p>"Madam," said Mr. Enderton, "I do not wish to talk +to you."</p> + +<p>"I didn't ask you whether you did or not," said +Mrs. Lecks. "Mr. Craig, will you please get your +wife away as quick and as far as you can?"</p> + +<p>I took the hint, and, with Ruth on my arm, walked +rapidly down the road. She was very glad to go, for +she had been much frightened, and wanted to be alone +with me to have me explain to her what had occurred. +Mrs. Lecks, imagining from the expression of his +countenance that Mr. Enderton had, in some way, +been at the bottom of the trouble, and fearing that she +should not be able to restrain her indignation when +she found how he had done it, had ordered Mrs. Aleshine +to keep Ruth away from her father. This action +had increased the poor girl's anxiety, and she was glad +enough to have me take her away and tell her all about +our accident.</p> + +<p>I did tell her all that had happened, speaking as +mildly as I could of Mr. Enderton's conduct. Poor +Ruth burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"I do wish," she exclaimed, "that father would +travel by himself! He is so nervous, and so easily +frightened, that I am sure he would be happier when +he could attend to his safety in his own way; and I +know, too, that we should be happier without him."</p> + +<p>I agreed most heartily with these sentiments, although +I did not deem it necessary to say so, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> +Ruth now asked me what I supposed would become +of us.</p> + +<p>"If nothing happens to the driver and the boy," I +replied, "I suppose they will go on until they get to +the station to which we were bound, and there they +will procure a pole, if such a thing can be found, or, +perhaps, get another coach, and come back for us. It +would be useless for them to return to our coach in its +present condition."</p> + +<p>"And how soon do you think they will come back?" +she said.</p> + +<p>"Not for some hours," I replied. "The driver told +me there were no houses between the place where we +last stopped and the railroad-station, and I am sure he +will not turn back until he reaches a place where +he can get either a new pole or another vehicle."</p> + +<p>Ruth and I walked to a turn at the bottom of the +long hill down which our runaway steeds had sped. +At this point we had an extended view of the road as +it wound along the mountain-side, but we could see no +signs of our horses, nor of any living thing. I did not, +in fact, expect to see our team, for it would be foolish +in the driver to come back until he was prepared to do +something for us, and even if he had succeeded in controlling +the runaway beasts, the quicker he got down +the mountain the better.</p> + +<p>By the time we had returned we had taken quite a +long walk, but we were glad of it, for the exercise +tranquilized us both. On our way back we noticed +that a road which seemed to come up from below us +joined the one we were on a short distance from the +place where our accident occurred. This, probably,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> +was the lower road which had been spoken of when we +changed horses.</p> + +<p>We found Mr. Enderton standing by himself. His +face was of the hue of wood-ashes, his expression haggard. +He reminded me of a man who had fallen from +a considerable height, and who had been frightened +and stupefied by the shock. I comprehended the +situation without difficulty, and felt quite sure that +had he had the choice he would have much preferred +a thrashing to the plain talk he had heard from Mrs. +Lecks.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, father?" exclaimed Ruth. +"Were you hurt?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton looked in a dazed way at his daughter, +and it was some moments before he appeared to +have heard what she said. Then he answered abruptly: +"Hurt? Oh, no! I am not hurt in the least. I was +just thinking of something. I shall walk on to the +village or town, whichever it is, to which that man was +taking us. It cannot be more than seven or eight +miles away, if that. The road is downhill, and I can +easily reach the place before nightfall. I will then +personally attend to your rescue, and will see that a +vehicle is immediately sent to you. There is no trusting +these ignorant drivers. No," he continued, deprecatingly +raising his hand; "do not attempt to +dissuade me. Your safety and that of others is +always my first care. Exertion is nothing."</p> + +<p>Without further words, and paying no attention to +the remonstrances of his daughter, he strode off down +the road.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp49" id="i_129" style="max-width: 16.375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_129.png" alt=""> + <figcaption class="caption"><p>"MRS. LECKS WAS SITTING ON A STONE."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>I was very glad to see him go. At any time his +presence was undesirable to me, and under the present +circumstances it would be more objectionable than +ever. He was a good walker, and there was no doubt +he would easily reach the station, where he might possibly +be of some use to us.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks was sitting on a stone by the roadside. +Her face was still stern and rigid, but there was an +expression of satisfaction +upon it +which had not been +there when I left +her. Ruth went to +the coach to get a +shawl, and I said to +Mrs. Lecks:</p> + +<p>"I suppose you +had your talk with +Mr. Enderton?"</p> + +<p>"Talk!" she replied. +"I should +say so! If ever a +man understands +what people think +of him, and knows +what he is, from his +crown to his feet, +inside and outside, +soul, body, bones, +and skin, and what he may expect in this world and +the next, he knows it. I didn't keep to what he has +done for us this day. I went back to the first moment +when he began to growl at payin' his honest board on +the island, and I didn't let him off for a single sin +that he has committed since. And now I feel that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> +I've done my duty as far as he is concerned; and +havin' got through with that, it's time we were lookin' +about to see what we can do for ourselves."</p> + +<p>It was indeed time, for the day was drawing toward +its close. For a moment I had thought we would give +Mr. Enderton a good start, and then follow him down +the mountain to the station. But a little reflection +showed me that this plan would not answer. Ruth +was not strong enough to walk so far, and although +Mrs. Aleshine had plenty of vigor, she was too plump +to attempt such a tramp. Besides, the sky was so +heavily overcast that it was not safe to leave the +shelter of the coach.</p> + +<p>As might have been expected, Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine took immediate charge of the personal comfort +of the party, and the first thing they did was to +make preparations for a meal. Fortunately, we had +plenty of provisions. Mrs. Aleshine had had charge +of what she called our lunch-baskets,—which were, indeed, +much more like market-baskets than anything +else,—and having small faith in the resources of roadside +taverns, and great faith in the unlimited capabilities +of Mr. Enderton in the matter of consuming food +on a journey, she had provided bounteously and even +extravagantly.</p> + +<p>One side of the road was bordered by a forest, and +on the ground was an abundance of dead wood. I +gathered a quantity of this, and made a fire, which was +very grateful to us, for the air was growing colder +and colder. When we had eaten a substantial supper<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +and had thoroughly warmed ourselves at the fire, we +got into the coach to sit there and wait until relief +should come. We sat for a long time—all night, in +fact. We were not uncomfortable, for we each had a +corner of the coach, and we were plentifully provided +with wraps and rugs.</p> + +<p>Contrary to their usual habit, Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine did not talk much. When subjected to the +annoyances of an ordinary accident, even if it should +have been the result of carelessness, their disposition +would have prompted them to take events as they +came, and to make the best of whatever might happen +to them. But this case was entirely different. We +were stranded and abandoned on the road, on the side +of a lonely, desolate mountain, on a cold, bleak night; +and all this was the result of what they considered the +deliberate and fiendish act of a man who was afraid +of horses, and who cared for no one in the world but +himself. Their minds were in such a condition that +if they said anything they must vituperate, and they +were so kindly disposed toward my wife, and had such +a tender regard for her feelings, that they would not, +in her presence, vituperate her father. So they said +very little, and, nestling into their corners, were soon +asleep.</p> + +<p>After a time Ruth followed their example, and, +though I was very anxiously watching out of the window +for an approaching light, and listening for the +sound of wheels, I, too, fell into a doze. It must have +been ten or eleven o'clock when I was awakened by +some delicate but cold touches on my face, the nature +of which, when I first opened my eyes, I could not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +comprehend. But I soon understood what these cold +touches meant. The window in the door of the coach +on my side had been slightly lowered from the top to +give us air, and through the narrow aperture the cold +particles had come floating in. I looked through the +window. The night was not very dark, for, although +the sky was overcast, the moon was in its second +quarter, and I could plainly see that it was snowing, +and that the ground was already white.</p> + +<p>This discovery sent a chill into my soul, for I was +not unfamiliar with snows in mountain regions, and +knew well what this might mean to us. But there +was nothing that we could now do, and it would be +useless and foolish to awaken my companions and +distress them with this new disaster. Besides, I +thought our situation might not be so very bad, after +all. It was not yet winter, and the snowfall might +prove to be but a light one. I gently closed the window, +and made my body comfortable in its corner; +but my mind continued very uncomfortable for I do +not know how long.</p> + +<p>When I awoke I found that there had been a heavy +fall of snow in the night, and that the flakes were +still coming down thick and fast. When Ruth first +looked out upon the scene she was startled and dismayed. +She was not accustomed to storms of this +kind, and the snow frightened her. Upon Mrs. Lecks +and Mrs. Aleshine the sight of the storm produced an +entirely different effect. Here was a difficulty, a discomfort, +a hardship; but it came in a natural way, +and not by the hand of a dastardly coward of a man. +With natural-happening difficulties they were accustomed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +to combat without fear or repining. They +knew all about snow, and were not frightened by this +storm. The difficulties which it presented to their +minds actually raised their spirits, and from the grim +and quiet beings of the last evening they became the +same cheerful, dauntless, ready women that I had +known before.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word," exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, as she +clapped her face to a window of the coach, "if this +isn't a reg'lar old-fashioned snow-storm! I've shoveled +my own way through many a one like it to git to +the barn to do my milkin' afore the men-folks had +begun makin' paths, and I feel jus' like as though I +could do it ag'in."</p> + +<p>"Now, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "if you're +thinkin' of shovelin' your way from this place to +where your cows is, you'd better step right out and +get at it, and I really do think that if you felt they +were sufferin' for want of milkin' you'd make a start."</p> + +<p>"I don't say," answered Mrs. Aleshine, with an illuminating +grin, "that if the case was that way I +mightn't have the hankerin', though not the capableness; +but I don't know that there's any place to +shovel our way to, jus' now."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks and I thought differently. Across the +road, under the great trees, the ground was comparatively +free from snow, and in some places, owing to the +heavy evergreen foliage, it was entirely bare. It was +very desirable that we should get to one of these spots +and build a fire, for, though we had been well wrapped +up, we all felt numbed and cold. In the boot at the +back of the coach I knew that there was an ax, and I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +thought I might possibly find there a shovel. I opened +the coach door, and saw that the snow was already +above the lower step. By standing on the spokes of +the back wheel I could easily get at the boot, and I +soon pulled out the ax, but found no shovel. But this +did not deter me. I made my way to the front wheel, +and climbed up to the driver's box, where I knocked +off one of the thin planks of the foot-board, and this, +with the ax, I shaped into a rude shovel, with a handle +rather too wide, but serviceable. With this I went +vigorously to work, and soon had made a pathway +across the road. Here I chopped off some low dead +branches, picked up others, and soon had a crackling +fire, around which my three companions gathered +with delight.</p> + +<p>A strong wind was now blowing, and the snow +began to form into heavy drifts. The fire was very +cheery and pleasant, but the wind was cutting, and +we soon returned to the shelter of the coach, where +we had our breakfast. This was not altogether a cold +meal, for Mrs. Aleshine had provided a little tea-kettle, +and, with some snow-water which I brought in +boiling from the fire in the woods, we had all the hot +and comforting tea we wanted.</p> + +<p>We passed the morning waiting and looking out, +and wondering what sort of conveyance would be +sent for us. It was generally agreed that nothing on +wheels could now be got over the road, and that we +must be taken away in a sleigh.</p> + +<p>"I like sleigh-ridin'," said Mrs. Aleshine, "if you're +well wrapped up, with good hosses, and a hot brick +for your feet; but I must say I don't know but what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> +I'm goin' to be a little skeery goin' down these long +hills. If we git fairly slidin', hosses, sleigh, and all +together, there's no knowin' where we'll fetch up."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_135" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_135.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"I SOON HAD A CRACKLING FIRE."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"There's one comfort, Barb'ry," remarked Mrs. +Lecks, "and that is that when we do fetch up it'll be +at the bottom of the hills, and not at the top; and as +the bottom is what we want to get to, we oughtn't to +complain."</p> + +<p>"That depends a good deal whether we come down +hind part foremost, or fore part front. But nobody's +complainin' so fur, 'specially as the sleigh isn't here."</p> + +<p>I joined in the outlooking and the conjectures, but +I could not keep up the cheerful courage which animated +my companions; for not only were the two +elder women bright and cheery, but Ruth seemed to +be animated and encouraged by their example, and +showed herself as brave and contented as either of +them. She was convinced that her father must have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span> +reached the railroad-station before it began to snow, +and therefore she was troubled by no fears for his +safety. But my mind was filled with many fears.</p> + +<p>The snow was still coming down thick and fast, +and the wind was piling it into great drifts, one of +which was forming between the coach and a low +embankment on that side of the road near which it +stood.</p> + +<p>About every half-hour I took my shovel and cleared +out the path across the road from the other side of +the coach to the woods. Several times after doing +this I made my way among the trees, where the snow +did not impede my progress, to points from which I +had a view some distance down the mountain; and I +could plainly see that there were several places where +the road was blocked up by huge snow-drifts. It +would be a slow, laborious, and difficult undertaking +for any relief-party to come to us from the station; +and who was there at that place to come? This was +the question which most troubled me. The settlement +at the station was probably a very small one, +and that there should be found at that place a sleigh +or a sled with enough men to form a party sufficiently +strong to open a road up the mountain-side was +scarcely to be expected. Men and vehicles might be +obtained at some point farther along the railroad, but +action of this kind would require time, and it was not +unlikely that the railroad itself was blocked up with +snow. I could form no idea satisfactory to myself +of any plan by which relief could come to us that day. +Even the advent of a messenger on horseback was not +to be expected. Such an adventurer would be lost in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +the storm and among the drifts. On the morrow relief +might come, but I did not like to think too much +about the morrow; and of any of my thoughts and +fears I said nothing to my companions.</p> + +<p>At intervals, after I had freshly cleared out the +pathway, the three women, well bundled up, ran across +the road to the fire under the trees. This was the +only way in which they could keep themselves warm, +for the coach, although it protected us from the storm, +was a very cold place to sit in. But the wind and the +snow which frequently drove in under the trees made +it impossible to stay very long by the fire, and the +frequent passages to and from the coach were attended +with much exposure and wetting of feet. I +therefore determined that some better way must be +devised for keeping ourselves warm; and, shortly +after our noonday meal, I thought of a plan, and immediately +set to work to carry it out.</p> + +<p>The drift between the coach and the embankment +had now risen higher than the top of the vehicle, +against one side of which it was tightly packed. I +dug a path around the back of the coach, and then +began to tunnel into the huge bank of snow. In +about an hour I had made an excavation nearly high +enough for me to stand in, and close to the stage door +on that side; and I cleared away the snow so that this +door could open into the cavern I had formed. At +the end opposite the entrance of my cave, I worked a +hole upward until I reached the outer air. This hole +was, about a foot in diameter, and for some time the +light, unpacked snow from above kept falling and filling +it up; but I managed, by packing and beating the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> +sides with my shovel, to get the whole into a condition +in which it would retain the form of a rude +chimney.</p> + +<p>Now I hurried to bring wood and twigs, and having +made a hearth of green sticks, which I cut with my +ax, I built a fire in this snowy fireplace. Mrs. Lecks, +Mrs. Aleshine, and Ruth had been watching my proceedings +with great interest; and when the fire began +to burn, and the smoke to go out of my chimney, the +coach door was opened, and the genial heat gradually +pervaded the vehicle.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word," exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, "if that +isn't one of the brightest ideas I ever heard of! A +fire in the middle of a snowbank, with a man there +attendin' to it, an' a chimney! 'T isn't every day that +you can see a thing like that!"</p> + +<p>"I should hope not," remarked Mrs. Lecks, "for if +the snow drifted this way every day, I'd be ready to +give up the seein' business out and out! But I think, +Mr. Craig, you ought to pass that shovel in to us so +that we can dig you out when the fire begins to melt +your little house and it all caves in on you."</p> + +<p>"You can have the shovel," said I, "but I don't +believe this snowbank will cave in on me. Of course +the heat will melt the snow, but I think it will dissolve +gradually, so that the caving in, if there is any, won't +be of much account, and then we shall have a big +open space here in which we can keep up our fire."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Ruth, "you talk as if you +expected to stay here ever so long, and we certainly +can't do that. We should starve to death, for one +thing."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span></p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid of that," said Mrs. Aleshine. +"There's plenty of victuals to last till the people +come for us. When I pack baskets for travelin' or +picnickin', I don't do no scrimpin'. An' we've got to +keep up a fire, you know, for it wouldn't be pleasant +for those men, when they've cut a way up the mountain +to git at us, to find us all froze stiff."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks smiled. "You're awful tender of the +feelin's of other people, Barb'ry," she said, "and a +heart as warm as yourn ought to keep from freezin'."</p> + +<p>"Which it has done, so far," said Mrs. Aleshine, +complacently.</p> + +<p>As I had expected, the water soon began to drip +from the top and the sides of my cavern, and the +chimney rapidly enlarged its dimensions. I made a +passage for the melted snow to run off into a hollow, +back of the coach; and as I kept up a good strong +fire, the drops of water and occasional pieces of snow +which fell into it were not able to extinguish it. The +cavern enlarged rapidly, and in a little more than an +hour the roof became so thin that while I was outside +collecting wood it fell in and extinguished the fire. +This accident, however, interrupted my operations but +for a short time. I cleared away the snow at the bottom +of the excavation, and rebuilt my fire on the bare +ground. The high snow walls on three sides of it +protected it from the wind, so that there was no danger +of the flames being blown against the stage-coach, +while the large open space above allowed a free vent +for the smoke.</p> + +<p>About the middle of the afternoon, to the great delight +of us all, it stopped snowing, and when I had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +freshly shoveled out the path across the road, my +companions gladly embraced the opportunity of walking +over to the comparatively protected ground under +the trees and giving themselves a little exercise. +During their absence I was busily engaged in arranging +the fire, when I heard a low crunching sound on +one side of me, and, turning my head, I saw in the +wall of my excavation opposite to the stage-coach, +and at a distance of four or five feet from the ground, +an irregular hole in the snow, about a foot in diameter, +from which protruded the head of a man. This +head was wrapped, with the exception of the face, in +a brown woolen comforter. The features were those +of a man of about fifty, a little sallow and thin, without +beard, whiskers, or mustache, although the cheeks +and chin were darkened with a recent growth.</p> + +<p>The astounding apparition of this head projecting +itself from the snow wall of my cabin utterly paralyzed +me, so that I neither moved nor spoke, but remained +crouching by the fire, my eyes fixed upon the head. +It smiled a little, and then spoke.</p> + +<p>"Could you lend me a small iron pot?" it said.</p> + +<p>I rose to my feet, almost ready to run away. Was +this a dream? Or was it possible that there was a +race of beings who inhabited snowbanks?</p> + +<p>The face smiled again very pleasantly. "Do not +be frightened," it said. "I saw you were startled, and +spoke first of a familiar pot in order to reassure you."</p> + +<p>"Who, in the name of Heaven, are you?" I gasped.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp49" id="i_141" style="max-width: 32.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_141.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"COULD YOU LEND ME A SMALL IRON POT?"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"I am only a traveler, sir," said the head, "who has +met with an accident similar, I imagine, to that which +has befallen you. But I cannot further converse with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142"></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +you in this position. Lying thus on my breast in a +tunnel of snow will injuriously chill me. Could you +conveniently lend me an iron pot?"</p> + +<p>I was now convinced that this was an ordinary +human being, and my courage and senses returned to +me; but my astonishment remained boundless. "Before +we talk of pots," I said, "I must know who you +are, and how you got into that snowbank."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe," said my visitor, "that I can get +down, head foremost, to your level. I will therefore +retire to my place of refuge, and perhaps we can communicate +with each other through this aperture."</p> + +<p>"Can I get through to your place of refuge?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," was the answer. "You are young and +active, and the descent will not be so deep on my side. +But I will first retire, and will then project toward +you this sheepskin rug, which, if kept under you as +you move forward, will protect your breast and arms +from direct contact with the snow."</p> + +<p>It was difficult to scramble up into the hole, but I +succeeded in doing it, and found awaiting me the +sheepskin rug, which, by the aid of an umbrella, the +man had pushed toward me for my use. I was in a +horizontal tunnel barely large enough for the passage +of my body, and about six feet in length. When I +had worked my way through this, and had put my head +out of the other end, I looked into a small wooden +shed, into which light entered only through a pane of +glass set in a rude door opposite to me. I immediately +perceived that the whole place was filled with the +odor of spirituous liquors. The man stood awaiting +me, and by his assistance I descended to the floor. As<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +I did so I heard something which sounded like a +titter, and looking around I saw in a corner a bundle +of clothes and traveling-rugs, near the top of which +appeared a pair of eyes. Turning again, I could discern +in another corner a second bundle, similar to, +but somewhat larger than, the other.</p> + +<p>"These ladies are traveling with me," said the man, +who was now wrapping about him a large cloak, and +who appeared to be of a tall though rather slender +figure. His manner and voice were those of a gentleman, +extremely courteous and considerate. "As I +am sure you are curious—and this I regard as quite +natural, sir—to know why we are here, I will at once +proceed to inform you. We started yesterday in a +carriage for the railway-station, which is, I believe, +some miles beyond this point. There were two roads +from the last place at which we stopped, and we chose +the one which ran along a valley, and which we supposed +would be the pleasanter of the two. We there +engaged a pair of horses which did not prove very +serviceable animals, and, at a point about a hundred +yards from where we now are, one of them gave out +entirely. The driver declared that the only thing to +be done was to turn loose the disabled horse, which +would be certain, in time, to find his way back to his +stable, and for him to proceed on the other animal to +the station to which we were going, where he would +procure some fresh horses and return as speedily as +possible. To this plan we were obliged to consent, as +there was no alternative. He told us that if we did +not care to remain in the carriage, there was a shed +by the side of the road, a little farther on, which was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +erected for the accommodation of men who are sometimes +here in charge of relays of horses. After assuring +us that he would not be absent more than three +hours, he rode away, and we have not seen him since.</p> + +<p>"Soon after he left us I came to this shed, and finding +it tight and comparatively comfortable, I concluded +it would give us relief from our somewhat +cramped position in the carriage, and so conducted +the ladies here. As night drew on it became very +cold, and I determined to make a fire, a proceeding +which, of course, would have been impossible in a +vehicle. Fortunately I had with me, at the back of +the carriage, a case of California brandy. By the aid +of a stone I knocked the top off this case, and brought +hither several of the bottles. I found in the shed an +old tin pan, which I filled with the straw coverings of +the bottles, and on this I poured brandy, which, being +ignited, produced a fire without smoke, but which, as +we gathered around it, gave out considerable heat."</p> + +<p>As the speaker thus referred to his fuel, I understood +the reason of the strong odor of spirits which filled +the shed, and I experienced a certain relief in my +mind.</p> + +<p>The gentleman continued: "At first I attributed +the delay of the driver's return to those ordinary +hindrances which so frequently occur in rural and +out-of-the-way places; but after a time I could not +imagine any reasonable cause for his delay. As it +began to grow dark I brought here our provision-baskets, +and we partook of a slight repast. I then +made the ladies as comfortable as possible, and +awaited with much anxiety the return of the driver.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span></p> + +<p>"After a time it began to snow, and feeling that +the storm might interrupt communication with the +carriage, I brought hither, making many trips for the +purpose, the rest of the brandy, our wraps and rugs, +and the cushions of the carriage. I did not believe +that we should be left here all night, but thought it +prudent to take all precautions, and to prepare for +remaining in a place where we could have a fire. The +morning showed me that I had acted wisely. As you +know, sir, I found the road in each direction completely +blocked up by snow, and I have since been +unable to visit the carriage."</p> + +<p>"Have you not all suffered from cold?" I inquired. +"Have you food enough?"</p> + +<p>"I will not say," replied the gentleman, "that in +addition to our anxiety we have not suffered somewhat +from cold, but for the greater part of this day I have +adopted a plan which has resulted in considerable +comfort to my companions. I have wrapped them up +very closely and warmly, and they hold in each hand +a hard-boiled egg. I thought it better to keep these +for purposes of warmth than to eat them. About +every half-hour I reboil the eggs in a little traveling +tea-pot which we have. They retain their warmth for +a considerable period, and this warmth in a moderate +degree is communicated through the hands to the +entire person."</p> + +<p>As he said this a low laugh again burst forth from +the bundle in one corner of the room, and I could not +help smiling at this odd way of keeping warm. I +looked toward the jocose bundle, and remarked that +the eggs must be pretty hard by this time.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span></p> + +<p>"These ladies," said the gentleman, "are not accustomed +to the cold atmosphere of this region, and I +have therefore forbidden them to talk, hoping thus +to prevent injury from the inhalation of frosty air. +So far we have not suffered, and we still have some +food left. About noon I noticed smoke floating over +this shed, and I forced open the door and made my +way for some little distance outside, hoping to discover +whence it came. I then heard voices on the +other side of the enormous snow-drift behind us; but +I could see no possible way of getting over the drift. +Feeling that I must, without fail, open communication +with any human beings who might be near us, I attempted +to shout; but the cold had so affected my +voice that I could not do so. I thereupon set my +wits to work. At the back of this shed is a small +window closed by a wooden shutter. I opened this +shutter, and found outside a wall of snow packed +closely against it. The snow was not very hard, and +I believed that it would not be difficult to tunnel a +way through it to the place where the voices seemed +to be. I immediately set to work, for I feared that if +we were obliged to remain here another night without +assistance we should be compelled to-morrow +morning to eat those four hard-boiled eggs which +the ladies are holding, and which, very shortly, I must +boil again."</p> + +<p>"How did you manage to cut through the snow?" +I asked. "Had you a shovel?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," replied the other. "I used the tin pan. +I found it answered very well as a scoop. Each time +that I filled it I threw the contents out of our door."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span></p> + +<p>"It must have been slow and difficult work," I said.</p> + +<p>"Indeed it was," he replied. "The labor was arduous, +and occupied me several hours. But when I saw +a respectable man at a fire, and a stage-coach near by, +I felt rewarded for all my trouble. May I ask you, +sir, how you came to be thus snow-bound?"</p> + +<p>I then briefly related the circumstances of our mishap, +and had scarcely finished when a shrill sound +came through the tunnel into the shed. It was the +voice of Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" she screamed, "are you in there? An' +you don't mean to tell me there are other people in +that hole?"</p> + +<p>Feeling quite certain that my wife and her companions +were in a state of mental agitation on the +other side of the drift, I called back that I would be +with them in a moment, and then explained to the +gentleman why I could not remain with him longer. +"But before I go," I said, "is there anything I can do +for you? Do you really want an iron pot?"</p> + +<p>"The food that remains to us," he answered, "is +fragmentary and rather distasteful to the ladies, and +I thought if I could make a little stew of it, it might +prove more acceptable to them. But do not let me +detain you another instant from your friends, and I +advise you to go through that tunnel feet foremost, +for you might, otherwise, experience difficulties in +getting out at the other end."</p> + +<p>I accepted his suggestion, and by his assistance and +the help of the rough window-frame, I got into the +hole feet first, and soon ejected myself into the midst +of my alarmed companions. When they heard where<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +I had been, and what I had seen, they were naturally +astounded.</p> + +<p>"Another party deserted at this very point!" exclaimed +Ruth, who was both excitable and imaginative. +"This looks like a conspiracy! Are we to be +robbed and murdered?"</p> + +<p>At these words Mrs. Aleshine sprang toward me. +"Mr. Craig," she exclaimed, "if it's robbers, don't +lose a minute! Never let 'em get ahead of you! +Pull out your pistol and fire through the hole!"</p> + +<p>"Gracious me! Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, +"you don't suppose the robbers is them poor unfortunates +on the other side of the drift! And I must +say, Mrs. Craig, that if there was any such thing as +a conspiracy, your father must have been in it, for +it was him who landed us just here. But of course +none of us supposes nothin' of that kind, and the first +thing we've got to think of is what we can do for +them poor people."</p> + +<p>"They seem to have some food left, but not much," +I said, "and I fear they must be suffering from +cold."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't we poke some wood to them through this +hole?" said Mrs. Aleshine, whose combative feelings +had changed to the deepest compassion. "I should +think they must be nearly froze, with nothin' to warm +'em but hard-b'iled eggs."</p> + +<p>I explained that there was no place in their shed +where they could build a fire, and proposed that we +should give them some hot tea and some of our provisions.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150a"></span></p> + +<figure class="figleft illowp77" id="i_150a" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_150a.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"WE WERE ABOUT TO"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<figure class="figright illowp77" id="i_150b" style="max-width: 31.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_150b.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"SEND HIM A BASKET."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"That's so!" said Mrs. Aleshine. "Just shout in +to them that if they'll shove them eggs through the +hole, I'll bile 'em fur 'em as often as they want 'em."</p> + +<p>"I've just got to say this," ejaculated Mrs. Lecks, +as she and Mrs. Aleshine were busily placing a portion +of our now very much reduced stock of provisions in +the smallest of our baskets: "this is the first time in +my life that I ever heard of people warmin' themselves +up with hens' eggs and spirits, excep' when mixed up +into egg-nog; and that +they resisted that temptation +and contented +themselves with plain +honest heat, though very +little of it, shows what +kind of people they must +be. And now, do you +suppose we could slide +this basket in without upsettin' +the little kittle?"</p> + +<p>I called to the gentleman +that we were about to +send him a basket, and then, by the aid of an umbrella, +I gently pushed it through the snow tunnel to a point +where he could reach it. Hearty thanks came back to +us through the hole, and when the basket and kettle +were returned, we prepared our own evening meal.</p> + +<p>"For the life of me," said Mrs. Lecks, as she sipped +a cup of tea, "I can't imagine, if there was a shed so +near us, why we didn't know it."</p> + +<p>"That has been puzzling me," I replied; "but the +other road, on which the shed is built, is probably +lower than this one, so that the upper part of the shed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +could not have projected far above the embankment +between the two roads, and if there were weeds and +dead grasses on the bank, as there probably were, +they would have prevented us from noticing the top +of a weather-worn shed."</p> + +<p>"Especially," said Mrs. Lecks, "as we wasn't +lookin' for sheds, and, as far as I know, we wasn't +lookin' for anything on that side of the coach, for all +my eyes was busy starin' +about on the side we got +in and out of, and down +the road."</p> + +<p>"Which mine was too," +added Mrs. Aleshine. +"An' after it begun to +snow we couldn't see +nothin' anyhow, partic'larly +when everything +was all covered up."</p> + +<p>"Well," added Mrs. +Lecks, in conclusion, "as +we didn't see the shed, it's a comfort to think there +was reasons for it, and that we are not born fools."</p> + +<p>It was now growing dark, and but few further +communications took place through the little tunnel.</p> + +<p>"Before we get ready to go to sleep," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"for, havin' no candles, I guess we won't sit up +late, hadn't we better rig up some kind of a little sled +to put in that hole, with strings at both ends, so that +we kin send in mustard-plasters and peppermint to +them poor people if they happen to be sick in the +night?"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span></p> + +<p>This little project was not considered necessary, and +after receiving assurances from the gentleman on the +other side that he would be able to keep his party +warm until morning, we bade each other good night; +and, after having replenished the fire, I got into the +stage, where my companions had already established +themselves in their corners. I slept very little, while +I frequently went out to attend to the fire, and my mind +was racked by the most serious apprehensions. Our +food was nearly gone, and if relief did not come to us +very soon I could see nothing but a slow death before +us, and, so far as I could imagine, there was no more +reason to expect succor on the following day than +there had been on the one just passed. Where were +the men to be found who could cut a road to us +through those miles of snow-drifts?</p> + +<p>Very little was said during the night by my companions, +but I am sure that they felt the seriousness +of our situation, and that their slumbers were broken +and unrefreshing. If there had been anything to do, +Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine would have been cheered +up by the prospect of doing it; but we all felt that +there was nothing we could do.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_152" style="max-width: 31.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_152.png" alt="Trecking in the snow"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="PART_V">PART V</h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_153" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_153.png" alt="Trecking over the mountain-side"> +</figure> + +<p>After a second night spent in the stage-coach on +that lonely and desolate mountain road where we +were now snow-bound, I arose early in the morning, +and went into the forest to collect some fuel; and while +thus engaged I made the discovery that the snow +was covered with a hard crust which would bear my +weight. After the storm had ceased the day before, +the sun had shone brightly and the temperature had +moderated very much, so that the surface of the snow +had slightly thawed. During the night it became cold +again, and this surface froze into a hard coating of ice. +When I found I could walk where I pleased, my spirits +rose, and I immediately set out to view the situation. +The aspect of the road gave me no encouragement. +The snowfall had been a heavy one, but had it not +been for the high wind which accompanied it, it would +have thrown but moderate difficulties in the way of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +our rescue. Reaching a point which commanded a +considerable view along the side of the mountain, I +could see that in many places the road was completely +lost to sight on account of the great snow-drifts piled +up on it. I then walked to the point where the two +roads met, and crossing over, I climbed a slight rise +in the ground which had cut off my view in this direction, +and found myself in a position from which I +could look directly down the side of the mountain +below the road.</p> + +<p>Here, the mountain-side, which I had supposed to +be very steep and rugged, descended in a long and +gradual slope to the plains below, and for the greater +part of the distance was covered by a smooth, shining +surface of frozen snow, unbroken by rock or tree. +This snowy slope apparently extended for a mile or +more, and then I could see that it gradually blended +itself into the greenish-brown turf of the lower +country. Down in the valley there still were leaves +upon the trees, and there were patches of verdure +over the land. The storm which had piled its snows +up here had given them rain down there and had +freshened everything. It was like looking down into +another climate and on another land. I saw a little +smoke coming up behind a patch of trees. It must +be that there was a house there! Could it be possible +that we were within a mile or two of a human habitation? +Yet, what comfort was there in that thought? +The people in that house could not get to us, nor we +to them, nor could they have heard of our situation, +for the point where our road reached the lower country +was miles farther on.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span></p> + +<p>As I stood thus and gazed, it seemed to me that I +could make a run and slide down the mountain-side +into green fields, into safety, into life. I remembered +those savage warriors who, looking from the summits +of the Alps upon the fertile plains of Italy, seated +themselves upon their shields and slid down to conquest +and rich spoils.</p> + +<p>An idea came into my mind, and I gave it glad +welcome. There was no time to be lost. The sun +was not yet high, but it was mounting in a clear sky, +and should its rays become warm enough to melt the +crust on which I stood, our last chance of escape +would be gone. To plow our way to any place +through deep, soft snow would be impossible. I +hurried back to our coach, and found three very grave +women standing around the fire. They were looking +at a small quantity of food at the bottom of a large +basket.</p> + +<p>"That's every crumb there is left," said Mrs. Aleshine +to me, "and when we pass in some to them unfortunates +on the other side of the drift,—which, of +course, we're bound to do,—we'll have what I call a +skimpy meal. And that's not the worst of it. Until +somebody gets up to us, it will be our last meal."</p> + +<p>I took my poor Ruth by the hand, for she was looking +very pale and troubled, and I said: "My dear +friends, nobody can get up to this place for a long, +long time; and before help could possibly reach us we +should all be dead. But do not be frightened. It is +not necessary to wait for any one to come to us. The +snow is now covered with a crust which will bear our +weight. I have thought of a way in which we can<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +slide down the mountain-side, which, from a spot +where I have been standing this morning, is no steeper +than some coasting-hills, though very much longer. +In a few minutes we can pass from this region of +snow, where death from cold and starvation must soon +overtake us, to a grassy valley where there is no snow, +and where we shall be within walking distance of a +house in which people are living."</p> + +<p>Ruth grasped my arm. "Will it be safe?" she exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I think so," I answered. "I see no reason why +we should meet with any accident. At any rate, it is +much safer than remaining here for another hour; +for if the crust melts, our last chance is gone."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Craig," said Mrs. Lecks, "me and Mrs. Aleshine +is no hands at coastin' downhill, havin' given +up that sort of thing since we was little girls with +short frocks and it didn't make no matter anyway. +But you know more about these things than we do; +and if you say we can get out of this dreadful place +by slidin' downhill, we're ready to follow, if you'll +just go ahead. We followed you through the ocean, +with nothin' between our feet and the bottom but +miles o' water and nobody knows what sorts of dreadful +fish; and when you say it's the right way to save +our lives, we're ready to follow you again. And as +for you, Mrs. Ruth, don't you be frightened. I don't +know what we're goin' to slide on, but, whatever it is, +even if it's our own selves, me and Mrs. Aleshine will +take you between us, and if anything is run against, +we'll get the bumps, and not you."</p> + +<p>I was delighted to see how rapidly my proposition<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +was accepted, and we made a hasty breakfast, first +sending in some of our food to the other party. The +gentleman reported through the hole of communication +that they were all fairly well, but a good deal +stiffened by cold and want of exercise. He inquired, +in a very anxious voice, if I had discovered any signs +of approaching relief. To this I replied that I had +devised a plan by which we could get ourselves out of +our present dangerous situation, and that in a very +short time I would come round to the door of his shed—for +I could now walk on the crusted snow—and tell +him about it. He answered that these words cheered +his heart, and that he would do everything possible to +coöperate with me.</p> + +<p>I now went to work vigorously. I took the cushions +from the coach, four of them all together, and +carried them to the brink of the slope down which I +purposed to make our descent. I also conveyed thither +a long coil of rawhide rope which I had previously +discovered in the boot of the coach. I then hurried +along the other road, which, as has been said before, +lay at a somewhat lower level than the one we were +on, and when I reached the shed I found the door had +been opened, and the gentleman, with his tin pan, had +scooped away a good deal of the snow about it, so as +to admit of a moderately easy passage in and out. +He met me outside, and grasped my hand.</p> + +<p>"Sir, if you have a plan to propose," he said, "state +it quickly. We are in a position of great danger. +Those two ladies inside the shed cannot much longer +endure this exposure, and I presume that the ladies +in your party—although their voices, which I occasionally<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +hear, do not seem to indicate it—must be in a +like condition."</p> + +<p>I replied that, so far, my companions had borne up +very well, and without further waste of words proceeded +to unfold my plan of escape.</p> + +<p>When he had heard it the gentleman put on a very +serious expression. "It seems hazardous," he said, +"but it may be the only way out of our danger. +Will you show me the point from which you took +your observations?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said I; "but we must be in haste. The sun +is getting up in the sky, and this crust may soon begin +to melt. It is not yet really winter, you know."</p> + +<p>We stepped quickly to the spot where I had carried +the cushions. The gentleman stood and silently gazed +first at the blocked-up roadway, then at the long, +smooth slope of the mountain-side directly beneath +us, and then at the verdure of the plain below, which +had grown greener under the increasing brightness of +the day. "Sir," said he, turning to me, "there is +nothing to be done but to adopt your plan, or to +remain here and die. We will accompany you in the +descent, and I place myself under your orders."</p> + +<p>"The first thing," said I, "is to bring here your +carriage cushions, and help me to arrange them."</p> + +<p>When he had brought the three cushions from the +shed, the gentleman and I proceeded to place them +with the others on the snow, so that the whole formed +a sort of wide and nearly square mattress. Then, +with the rawhide rope, we bound them together in a +rough but secure network of cordage. In this part of +the work I found my companion very apt and skilful.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span></p> + +<p>When this rude mattress was completed, I requested +the gentleman to bring his ladies to the place, while +I went for mine.</p> + +<p>"What are we to pack up to take with us?" said +Mrs. Aleshine, when I reached our coach.</p> + +<p>"We take nothing at all," said I, "but the money in +our pockets, and our rugs and wraps. Everything else +must be left in the coach, to be brought down to us +when the roads shall be cleared out."</p> + +<p>With our rugs and shawls on our arms, we left the +coach, and as we were crossing the other road we saw +the gentleman and his companions approaching. +These ladies were very much wrapped up, but one of +them seemed to step along lightly and without difficulty, +while the other moved slowly and was at times +assisted by the gentleman.</p> + +<p>A breeze had sprung up which filled the air with +fine frozen particles blown from the uncrusted beds +of snow along the edge of the forest, and I counseled +Ruth to cover up her mouth and breathe as little of +this snow powder as possible.</p> + +<p>"If I'm to go coastin' at all," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"I'd as lief do it with strangers as friends; and a +little liefer, for that matter, if there's any bones to +be broken. But I must say that I'd like to make +the acquaintance of them ladies afore I git on to +the sled, which"—at that moment catching sight of +the mattress—"you don't mean to say that that's +it?"</p> + +<p>"Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, from underneath +her great woolen comforter, "if you want to +get your lungs friz, you'd better go on talkin'. Manners<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span> +is manners, but they can wait till we get to the +bottom of the hill."</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding this admonition, I noticed that as +soon as the two parties met, both Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine advanced and shook hands with the ladies +who had been their neighbors under such peculiar +circumstances, and that Mrs. Lecks herself expressed +a muffled hope that they might all get down +safely.</p> + +<p>I now pushed the mattress which was to serve as +our sled as close as was prudent to the edge of the +descent, and requested the party to seat themselves +upon it. Without hesitation Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine +sat down, taking Ruth between them, as they +had promised to do. My young wife was very nervous, +but the cool demeanor of her companions, and +my evident belief in the practicability of the plan, +gave her courage, and she quietly took her seat. The +younger of the two strange ladies stepped lightly on +the cushions, and before seating herself stood up for +a good look at the far-extending bed of snow over +which we were to take our way. The prospect did not +appear to deter her, and she sat down promptly and +with an air that seemed to say that she anticipated a +certain enjoyment from the adventure. The elder +lady, however, exhibited very different emotions. She +shrank back from the cushions toward which the gentleman +was conducting her, and turned her face away +from the declivity. Her companion assured her that +it was absolutely necessary that we should descend +from the mountain in this way, for there was no other; +and asserting his belief that our slide would be a perfectly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +safe one, he gently drew her to the mattress +and induced her to sit down.</p> + +<p>I now noticed, for the first time, that the gentleman +carried under one arm, and covered by his long cloak, +a large package of some sort, and I immediately said +to him: "It will be very imprudent for us to attempt +to carry any of our property except what we can put +in our pockets or wrap around us. Everything else +should be left here, either in your carriage or our +coach, and I have no fear that anything will be lost. +But even if our luggage were in danger of being molested, +we cannot afford to consider it under circumstances +such as these."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," said the gentleman, speaking very +gravely, "I appreciate the hazards of our position as +keenly as yourself. Our valises, and all the light luggage +which we had with us in our carriage, I have +left there, and shall not give them another thought. +But with the parcel I hold under this arm I cannot +part, and if I go down the mountain-side on these +cushions, it must go with me. If you refuse in such +a case to allow me to be one of your party, I must +remain behind, and endeavor to find a board or something +else on which I can make the descent of the +mountain."</p> + +<p>He spoke courteously, but with an air of decision +which showed me that it would be of no use to argue +with him. Besides, there was no time for parleying, +and if this gentleman chose to take his chances with +but one arm at liberty, it was no longer my affair. I +therefore desired him to sit down, and I arranged the +company so that they sat back to back, their feet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +drawn up to the edge of the mattress. I then took +the place which had been reserved for me as steersman, +and having tied several shawls together, end to +end, I passed them around the whole of us under our +arms, thus binding us all firmly together. I felt that +one of our greatest dangers would be that one or more +of the party might slip from the mattress during the +descent.</p> + +<p>When all was ready I asked the gentleman, who, +with the elder lady, sat near me at the back of the +mattress, to assist in giving us a start by pushing outward +with his heels while I thrust the handle of my +wooden shovel into the crust and thus pushed the +mattress forward. The starting was a little difficult, +but in a minute or two we had pushed the mattress +partly over the brink, and then, after a few more +efforts, we began to slide downward.</p> + +<p>The motion, at first slow, suddenly became quite +rapid, and I heard behind me a cry or exclamation, +from whom I knew not, but I felt quite sure it did +not come from any of my party. I hoped to be able +to make some use of my shovel in the guidance of +our unwieldy raft or mattress-sled, but I soon found +this impossible, and down we went over the smooth, +hard-frozen slope, with nothing to direct our course +but the varying undulations of the mountain-side. +Every moment we seemed to go faster and faster, and +soon we began to revolve, so that sometimes I was in +front and sometimes behind. Once, when passing +over a very smooth sheet of snow, we fairly spun +around, so that in every direction feet were flying out +from a common center and heels grating on the frozen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +crust. But there were no more cries or exclamations. +Each one of us grasped the cordage which held the +cushions together, and the rapidity of the motion +forced us almost to hold our breath.</p> + +<p>Down the smooth, white slope we sped, as a bird +skims through the air. It seemed to me as if we +passed over miles and miles of snow. Sometimes my +face was turned down the mountain, where the snow-surface +seemed to stretch out illimitably, and then it +was turned upward toward the apparently illimitable +slopes over which we had passed.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_163" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_163.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"WE BEGAN TO SLIDE DOWNWARD."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Presently, my position now being in front of the +little group that glanced along its glittering way, I +saw at some distance below me a long rise or terrace, +which ran along the mountain-side for a considerable +distance, and which cut off our view of everything +below us. As we approached this hillock the descent +became much more gradual and our progress slower, +and at last I began to fear that our acquired velocity +would not be sufficient to carry us up the side of this +elevation and so enable us to continue our descent. +I therefore called to everybody in the rear to kick<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +out vigorously, and with my shovel I endeavored to +assist our progress. As we approached the summit of +the elevation we moved slower and slower. I became +very anxious, for, should we slide backward, we +might find it difficult or impossible to get ourselves +and the mattress up this little hill. But the gentleman +and myself worked valiantly, and as for Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, they kicked their heels +through the frozen crust with such energy that we +moved sidewise almost as much as upward. But in a +moment the anxious suspense was over, and we rested +on the ridge of the long hillock, with the mountain-side +stretching down to the plain, which lay not very far +below us.</p> + +<p>I should have been glad to remain here a few minutes +to regain breath, and give some consideration to +the rest of our descent, but as some of those behind +continued to push, the mattress slid over the edge of +the terrace, and down again we went. Our progress +now was not so rapid, but it was very much more +unpleasant. The snow was thinner; there was little or +no crust upon it, and we very soon reached a wide +extent of exposed turf, over which we slid, but not +without a good deal of bumping against stones and +protuberances. Then there was another sheet of snow, +which quickened our downward impetus; and, after +that, the snow was seen only in occasional patches, +and our progress continued over a long slope of short, +partly dried grass, which was very slippery, and over +which we passed with considerable quickness.</p> + +<p>I wished now to bring our uncouth sled to a stop, +and to endeavor to make the rest of the descent on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +foot. But although I stuck out my heels, and tried to +thrust the handle of my shovel into the ground, it was +of no use. On we went, and the inequalities of the +surface gave an irregularity of motion which was uncomfortable +and alarming. We turned to this side +and that; we bounced and bumped; and the rawhide +ropes, which must have been greatly frayed and cut +by the snow-crust, now gave way in several places, +and I knew that the mattress would soon separate into +its original cushions, if indeed they still could be +called cushions. Fearing increased danger should we +now continue bound together in a bunch, I jerked +apart the shawl-knot under my arms, and the next +moment, it seemed to me, there was a general dissolution +of our connection with each other. Fortunately, +we were now near the bottom of the slope, for while +some of us stuck fast to the cushions, others rolled +over, or slid, independent of any projection, while I, +being thrown forward on my feet, actually ran downhill! +I had just succeeded in stopping myself when +down upon me came the rest of the company, all prostrate +in some position or other.</p> + +<p>Now from an unwieldy mass of shawls came a cry:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Albert Dusante! Where are you? Lucille! +Lucille!"</p> + +<p>Instantly sprang to one foot good Mrs. Aleshine, her +other foot being entangled in a mass of shawls which +dragged behind her. Her bonnet was split open and +mashed down over her eyes. In her left hand she +waved a piece of yellow flannel, which in her last mad +descent she had torn from some part of the person of +Mrs. Lecks, and in the other a bunch of stout dead<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> +weeds, which she had seized and pulled up by the +roots as she had passed them. Her dress was ripped +open down her rotund back, and the earth from the +weed roots had bespattered her face. From the midst +of this dilapidation her round eyes sparkled with excitement. +Hopping on one foot, the shawls and a part +of a cushion dragging behind her, she shouted:</p> + +<p>"The Dusantes! They are the Dusantes!"</p> + +<p>Then, pitching forward on her knees before the two +strange ladies, who had now tumbled into each other's +arms, she cried:</p> + +<p>"Oh, which is Emily, and which is Lucille?"</p> + +<p>I had rushed toward Ruth, who had clung to a cushion +and was now sitting upon it, when Mrs. Lecks, +who was close beside her, arose to her feet and stood +upright. One foot was thrust through her own bonnet, +and her clothes gave evidence of the frenzy and +power of Mrs. Aleshine's grasp, but her mien was +dignified and her aspect stately.</p> + +<p>"Barb'ry Aleshine!" she exclaimed, "if them Dusantes +has dropped down from heaven at your very +feet, can't you give 'em a minute to feel their ribs and +see if their legs and arms is broken?"</p> + +<p>The younger lady now turned her head toward Mrs. +Aleshine. "I am Lucille," she said.</p> + +<p>In a moment the good woman's arms were around +her neck. "I always liked you the best of the two," +she whispered into the ear of the astonished young +lady.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp49" id="i_167" style="max-width: 33em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_167.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"OH, WHICH IS EMILY, AND WHICH IS LUCILLE?"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Having found that Ruth was unhurt, I ran to the +assistance of the others. The gentleman had just +arisen from a cushion, upon which, lying flat on his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168"></span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169"></span> +back, he had slid over the grass, still holding under +one arm the package from which he had refused to +part. I helped him to raise the elder lady to her feet. +She had been a good deal shaken, and much frightened, +but although a little bruised, she had received +no important injury.</p> + +<p>I went to fill a leather pocket-cup from a brook nearby, +and when I returned I found the gentleman standing, +confronted by Mrs. Lecks, Mrs. Aleshine, and +Ruth, while his own companions were regarding the +group with eager interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he was saying, "my name is Dusante. But +why do you ask at this moment? Why do you show +such excited concern on the subject?"</p> + +<p>"Why?" exclaimed Mrs. Lecks. "I will tell you +why, sir. My name is Mrs. Lecks, and this is Mrs. +Aleshine, and if you are the Mr. Dusante with the +house on the desert island, this is the Mrs. Craig who +was married in that very house, and the gentleman +here with the water is Mr. Craig, who wrote you the +letter, which I hope you got. And if that isn't reason +enough for our wanting to know if you are Mr. +Dusante, I'd like to be told what more there could +be!"</p> + +<p>"It's them! Of course it's them!" cried Mrs. Aleshine. +"I had a feelin' while we were scootin' downhill +that they was near and dear to us, though exactly +why and how, I didn't know. And she's told me +she's Lucille, and of course the other must be Emily, +though what relations—"</p> + +<p>"Am I to understand," interrupted the gentleman, +looking with earnest animation from one to the other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +of us, "that these are the good people who inhabited +my house on the island?"</p> + +<p>"The very ones!" cried Mrs. Aleshine. "And what +relation are you to Emily? and Lucille to her?"</p> + +<p>The gentleman stepped backward and laid down the +package which he had held under his arm, and advancing +toward me with outstretched hands, and with +tears starting to his eyes, he exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"And this man, then, to whom I owe so much, is +Mr. Craig!"</p> + +<p>"Owe me!" I said. "It is to you that we owe our +very lives, and our escape from death in mid-ocean."</p> + +<p>"Do not speak of it," he said, shaking his head, with +a sorrowful expression on his face. "You owe me +nothing. I would to Heaven it were not so! But +we will not talk of that now. And this is Mrs. Craig," +he continued, taking Ruth by the hand, "the fair lady +whose nuptials were celebrated in my house. And +Mrs. Lecks, and Mrs. Aleshine." As he spoke he +shook hands with each. "How I have longed to meet +you! I have thought of you every day since I returned +to my island and discovered that you had +been—I wish I could say—my guests. And where is +the reverend gentleman? and the three mariners? I +hope that nothing has befallen them!"</p> + +<p>"Alas!—for three of them at least," ejaculated Mrs. +Aleshine; "they have left us, but they are all right. +And now, sir, if you could tell us what relation you +are to Emily, and what Lucille—"</p> + + +<p>"Barb'ry!" cried Mrs. Lecks, making a dash toward her friend, "can't you +give the man a minute to breathe? Don't you see he's so dumflustered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> +that he hardly knows who he is himself! If them two women was to sink +down dead with hunger and hard slidin' right afore your very eyes while +you was askin' what relation they was to each other and to him, it would +no more'n serve you right! We'd better be seem' if anythin' 's the +matter with 'em, and what we can do for 'em."</p> + +<p>At this moment the younger of Mr. Dusante's ladies quickly stepped +forward. "Oh, Mrs. Craig, Mrs. Lecks, and Mrs. Aleshine!" she exclaimed, +"I'm just dying to know all about you!"</p> + +<p>"And which, contrariwise," cried Mrs. Aleshine, "is +the same with us, exactly."</p> + +<p>"And of all places in the world," continued the +young lady, "that we should meet here!"</p> + +<p>No one could have been more desirous than I was to +know all about these Dusantes, and to discuss the +strange manner of our meeting; but I saw that Ruth +was looking very pale and faint, and that the elder +Dusante lady had sat down again upon the ground as +though obliged to do so by sheer exhaustion, and I +therefore hailed with a double delight the interruption +of further explanations by the appearance of two men +on horseback who came galloping toward us.</p> + +<p>They belonged to the house which I had noticed +from the road above, and one of them had seen our +swift descent down the mountain-side. At first he +had thought the black object he saw sliding over the +snow-slopes was a rock or a mass of underbrush, but +his keen eye soon told him that it was a group of +human beings, and summoning a companion, he had +set out for the foot of the mountain as soon as horses +could be caught and saddled.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span></p> + +<p>The men were much surprised when they heard the +details of our adventure, but as it was quite plain that +some members of our party needed immediate nourishment +and attention, the questions and explanations +were made very short. The men dismounted from +their horses, and the elder Dusante lady was placed +upon one of them, one man leading the animal and +the other supporting the lady. Ruth mounted the +other horse, and I walked by her to assist her in keeping +her seat; but she held fast to the high pommel of +the saddle, and got on very well. Mr. Dusante took +his younger companion on one arm, and his package +under the other, while Mrs. Lecks, having relieved +her foot from the encircling bonnet, and Mrs. Aleshine, +now free from the entangling shawls, followed +in the rear. The men offered to come back with the +horses for them, if they would wait; but the two +women declared that they were quite able to walk, and +intended to do no waiting, and they trudged vigorously +after us. The sun was now high, and the air +down here was quite different from that of the mountain-side, +being pleasant and almost warm. The men +said that the snows above would probably soon melt, +as it was much too early in the season for snow to lie +long on these lower sides of the mountains.</p> + +<p>Our way lay over an almost level plain for about a +mile. A portion of it was somewhat rough, so that +when we reached the low house to which we were +bound, we were all very glad indeed to get there. The +house belonged to the two men, who owned a small +ranch here. One of them was married, and his wife +immediately set herself to work to attend to our needs.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span> +Her home was small, its rooms few, and her larder +very plain in quality; but everything she had was +placed at our disposal. Her own bed was given to +the elder Dusante lady, who took immediate possession +of it; and after a quickly prepared but plentiful +meal of fried pork, corn-bread, and coffee, the rest of +us stretched ourselves out to rest wherever we could +find a place. Before lying down, however, I had, at +Ruth's earnest solicitation, engaged one of the men to +ride to the railroad-station to inquire about Mr. Enderton, +and to inform him of our safety. By taking a +route which ran parallel with the mountain-chain, but +at some distance from it, the station, the man said, +could be reached without encountering snow.</p> + +<p>None of us had had proper rest during the past two +nights, and we slept soundly until dark, when we were +aroused to partake of supper. All of us, except the +elder Dusante lady, who preferred to remain in bed, +gathered around the table. After supper a large fire, +principally of brushwood, was built upon the hearth; +and with the bright blaze, two candles, and a lamp, the +low room appeared light and cheery. We drew up +about the fire—for the night was cool—on whatever +chairs, stools, or boxes we could find, and no sooner +had we all seated ourselves than Mrs. Aleshine exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Dusante, it ain't in the power of mortal +man, nor woman neither,—an' if put the other way it +might be stronger,—to wait any longer before knowin' +what relation Lucille is to Emily, an' you to them, +an' all about that house of yours on the island. If +I'd blown up into bits this day through holdin' in my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +wantin' to know, I shouldn't have wondered! An' +if it hadn't been for hard sleep, I don't believe I +could have held in, nohow!"</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp94" id="i_174" style="max-width: 53.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_174.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"WE DREW UP ABOUT THE FIRE."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"That's my mind exactly," said Mrs. Lecks; "and +though I know there's a time for all things, and don't +believe in crowdin' questions on played-out people, I +do think, Mr. Dusante, that if I could have caught up +with you when we was comin' over here, I'd have +asked you to speak out on these p'ints. But you're +a long-legged walker, which Mrs. Aleshine is not, and +it wouldn't have done to leave her behind."</p> + +<p>"Which she wouldn't 'a' been," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"long legs or short."</p> + +<p>Ruth and I added our entreaties that Mr. Dusante +should tell his story, and the good ranchman and his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +wife said that if there was anything to be done in the +story-telling line they were in for it, strong; and quitting +their work of clearing away supper things, they +brought an old hair trunk from another room, and sat +down just behind Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>The younger Dusante lady, who, having been divested +of her wraps, her veil, and the woolen shawl +that had been tied over her head, had proved to be a +very pretty girl with black eyes, here declared that it +had been her intention at the first opportunity to get +us to tell our story, but as we had asked first, she supposed +we ought to be satisfied first.</p> + +<p>"I do not wish, my good friends," said Mr. Dusante, +"to delay for a moment longer than necessary your +very pardonable curiosity concerning me and my +family; and I must say at the same time that, although +your letter, sir, gave me a very clear account of your +visit to my island, there are many things which naturally +could not be contained within the limits of a +letter, and about which I am most anxious to make +inquiries. But these I will reserve until my own narration +is finished.</p> + +<p>"My name is Albert Dusante. It may interest you +to know that my father was a Frenchman and my +mother an American lady from New England. I was +born in France, but have lived very little in that +country, and for a great part of my life have been a +merchant in Honolulu. For the past few years, however, +I have been enabled to free myself in a great +degree from the trammels of business, and to devote +myself to the pursuits of a man of leisure. I have +never married, and this young lady is my sister."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span></p> + +<p>"Then what relation," began Mrs. Aleshine, "is she +to—?"</p> + +<p>At this moment the hand of Mrs. Lecks, falling +heavily into the lap of the speaker, stopped this question, +and Mr. Dusante proceeded:</p> + +<p>"Our parents died when Lucille was an infant, and +we have no near blood relations."</p> + +<p>At this the faces of both Mrs. Aleshine and Mrs. +Lecks assumed expressions as if they had each just +received a letter superscribed in an unknown hand, +and were wondering who it could possibly be from.</p> + +<p>"The lady who is now resting in the adjoining +room," continued Mr. Dusante, "is a dear friend who +has been adopted by me as a mother."</p> + +<p>"Upon my word!" burst from Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine, in as much unison of time and tone as if the +words had been a response in a church service, while +Miss Lucille leaned back against the wall near which +she sat, and laughed gleefully. Mr. Dusante, however, +continued his statements with the same quiet gravity +with which he had begun.</p> + +<p>"This lady was a dear friend of my mother, although +younger than she. I adopted her as a mother to my +little orphan sister, and, consequently, placed her in +the same maternal relation to myself, doing this with +much earnest satisfaction, for I hoped to be able to +return, as a son, something of the tender care and +affection which she would bestow on Lucille as a +daughter."</p> + +<p>"And she is Emily?" cried Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"She adopted our name," answered the speaker, +"and she is Mrs. Emily Dusante."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span></p> + +<p>"And she is your adopted <i>mother?</i>" said Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"Adopted mother!" ejaculated Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Mr. Dusante.</p> + +<p>"And that is the only relation she is to you two?" +said Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"And you to her?" added Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"Most assuredly," answered Mr. Dusante.</p> + +<p>Here Mrs. Lecks leaned back in her chair, folded +her hands in her lap, and ejaculated, "Well, well!" +and then allowed her face to assume a rigid intention +of having nothing more to say at the present +moment.</p> + +<p>"One thing is certain," remarked Mrs. Aleshine, in +a tone which indicated that she did not care who heard +her; "I always liked Lucille the best!"</p> + +<p>At this Ruth and I exchanged smiles with Miss +Lucille, and Mr. Dusante proceeded:</p> + +<p>"I do not wish to occupy too much of your time +with our personal affairs, and will therefore state that +the island on which you found refuge, and where I +wish most heartily I had been present to act as +host, was bought by me as a retreat from the annoyances +of business and the exactions of society. I +built there a good house—"</p> + +<p>"Which it truly was," said Mrs. Aleshine, "with +fixtures in it for water, and letting it off, which I never +saw in a house so far out of town."</p> + +<p>"I furnished it suitably," said Mr. Dusante. "We +had books and music, and for several years we passed +vacations there which were both enjoyable and profitable. +But of late my sister has found the place<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> +lonely, and we have traveled a good deal, making +intermittent and often short visits to the island.</p> + +<p>"As I never cared to leave any one on that lonely +spot during our absences from it, I arranged a gateway +of bars across the only opening in the reef, with +the intention of preventing marauding visits from +fishing-boats or other small craft which might be passing +that way. As the island was out of the ordinary +track of vessels, I did not imagine that my bars would +ever prove an obstacle to unfortunate castaways who +might seek a refuge there."</p> + +<p>"Which they didn't," remarked Mrs. Aleshine, "for +under we bobbed."</p> + +<p>"I never exactly understood," said Mr. Dusante, +"and I hope to have it explained to me in due time, +how you passed my bars without removing them; +and I have had a sore weight upon my conscience +since I discovered that shipwrecked persons, fleeing to +my house from the perils of the sea, should have found +those inhospitable bars in their way—"</p> + +<p>"Which is a weight you might as well cast off, and +be done with it," said Mrs. Lecks, her deep-set notions +on the rights of property obliging her to speak; "for +if a man hasn't a right to lock up his house when he +goes away and leaves it, I don't know what rights +anybody has about anything. Me, or Mrs. Aleshine, +or anybody else here who has a house, might just as +well go off travelin', or to town visitin', and leave our +front door unlocked, and the yard gate swingin' on its +hinges, because we was afraid that some tramp or +other body with no house or home might come along +and not be able to get in and make himself comfortable.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +Your business, sir, when you left that house +and all your belongin's on that island, was to leave +everything tight and safe; and the business of people +sailin' in ships was to go on their proper way, and not +be runnin' into each other. And if these last mentioned +didn't see fit to do that, and so got into trouble, +they should have gone to some island where there +were people to attend to 'em, just as the tramps should +go to the poorhouse. And this is what we would have +done—not meanin' the poorhouse—if we hadn't been +so over long-headed as to get into a leaky boat, which, +I wish it understood, is sayin' nothin' against Mr. +Craig."</p> + +<p>"That's true," said Mrs. Aleshine, "for nobody has +got a right to complain that a fellow-bein' locks his +own door after him. But it does seem to me, sir, that +in such scattered neighborhoods as your island is in, +it might be a good thing to leave something to eat an' +drink—perhaps in a bottle or in a tin pail—at the +outside of your bars for them as might come along +shipwrecked, an' not be able to get inside on account +of bein' obliged to come in a boat, an' not as we did; +an' so, when they found they'd have to go on, they +might have somethin' to keep up their strength till +they got to another house."</p> + +<p>"Now, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, "when +you start off on a journey to Japan or any other place, +an' leave mince-pies and buttered toast a-stickin' on +the p'ints of your pickets for tramps that might come +along and need 'em, you can do that kind of talkin'. +But as that time hasn't come, let's hear the rest of +Mr. Dusante's story."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span></p> + +<p>"When I first visited my island this year," continued +the narrator, "we made but a short stay, as we +were all desirous of taking a somewhat extended sea-voyage +in my steam-yacht. We visited several places +of interest, and when we returned, just six weeks ago +to-day—"</p> + +<p>"Just one week, lackin' a day," exclaimed Mrs. +Lecks, "after we left that spot!"</p> + +<p>"If I'd 'a' knowed," said Mrs. Aleshine, rising to +her feet, "that you'd be back so soon, I'd 'a' made +them sailormen live on fish, I'd 'a' eat garden-truck +myself, and I'd be bound I'd 'a' made the flour hold +out for six days more for the rest of 'em, if I'd 'a' had +to work my fingers to the skin and bone to do it!" +Then she sat down solemnly.</p> + +<p>"When we returned," continued Mr. Dusante, "I +was pleased to find my bars intact; and when these +were unlocked, and the boat from our yacht went +through with ourselves and our servants, it was very +agreeable to notice the good order which seemed to +prevail everywhere. As we passed from the wharf to +the house, not even fallen boughs or weeds were seen +to indicate that we had been away from the place for +more than two months. When we entered the house, +my mother and sister immediately ascended to their +chambers, and when the windows had been opened I +heard them from above calling to each other and +remarking upon the freshness and cleanliness of the +rooms. I went to my library, and when I had thrown +open the window I was struck with the somewhat +peculiar air of order which seemed to obtain in the +room. The books stood upon their shelves with a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +remarkable regularity, and the chairs and other furniture +were arranged with a precision which impressed +me as unusual. In a moment, sir, I saw your letter +upon the table addressed to me. Greatly astonished, +I opened and read it.</p> + +<p>"When I had finished it my amazement was great +indeed; but obeying an instant impulse, I stepped into +the dining-room, which a servant had opened, and +took the ginger-jar from the mantelpiece. When +I lifted from it the little brown-paper parcel, and +beneath it saw the money which had been mentioned +in the letter, you may imagine the condition of my +mind. I did not take out the money, nor count it; +but covering it again with the paper parcel, which I +believed contained fish-hooks, and with the jar in my +hands, I returned to the library, where I sat down +to ponder upon these most astounding revelations. +While so doing my mother and sister hastily entered +the room. Lucille declared in an excited manner that +she believed that the brownies or some other fairies +had been there while we were away and had kept the +house in order. The whole place was actually cleaner, +she said, than when we left it. She had taken down +a thin dress from her closet, and it looked as if it +had just come from the hand of a laundress, with +the ruffles ironed smoother and more evenly than +they had ever been since it was first stitched together. +'Albert,' said my mother, her face pale, 'there has been +somebody in this house!' Then she went on to say +that the windows, which were left unwashed because +we went away in somewhat of a hurry, were as bright +and clean as if the maids had just been rubbing them;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +the floors and furniture were cleaner and freer from +dust than they had ever been before; and the whole +house looked as if we had just left it yesterday. 'In +fact,' she said, 'it is unnaturally clean!'"</p> + +<p>During this part of Mr. Dusante's story Mrs. Lecks +and Mrs. Aleshine sat very quiet, with an air of sedate +humility upon their faces; but I could see by the +proud light in their eyes that they felt their superiority +to ordinary women, although they were properly +resolved not to show such feeling.</p> + +<p>"At that moment," continued Mr. Dusante, "a servant +came hurrying into the room, and informed us +that the flour was all gone, and that there was scarcely +anything in the pantries to eat. At this my mother +and my sister, who knew that an abundance of provisions +had been left in the house, looked at each other +aghast. But before they could express their consternation +in words, I addressed them. 'My dear mother,' +said I, 'and Lucille, there truly has been some one in +this house. By this letter I am informed that for +several weeks eight persons have lived here under this +roof; a marriage has been solemnized, and the happy +couple have gone forth from our doors. These persons +have eaten our food, they have made use of our property, +and this has been their temporary home. But +they are good people, honest and true-hearted, for they +have left the house in better order than they found it, +and more than the price of all they have consumed is +in that ginger-jar.' And thereupon I read them your +letter, sir.</p> + +<p>"I cannot undertake to describe the wonder and +absorbing interest with which this letter filled our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +minds. All needful stores were brought ashore from +the yacht, which lay outside the reef, and we began +our usual life on the island; but none of the occupations +or recreations in which we formerly employed +our time now possessed any attractions for us. Our +minds were filled with thoughts of the persons who +had been so strangely living in our house; and our +conversation was mainly made up of surmises as to +what sort of people they were, whether or not we +should ever see them, and similar suppositions."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Miss Lucille. "I thought +of you by day and by night, and pictured you all in +various ways, but never as you really are. Sometimes +I used to think that the boat in which you went away +had been sunk in a storm in which you were all +drowned, and that perhaps your ghosts would come +back and live in our house, and sleep in our beds, and +clean our windows, and wash and iron our clothes, +and do all sorts of things in the night."</p> + +<p>"Goodnessful, gracious me!" cried Mrs. Aleshine, +"don't talk that way! The idea of bein' a cold ghost, +goin' about in the dark, is worse than slidin' down a +snow-mountain, even if you had to do it on the bare +of your back."</p> + +<p>"Barb'ry!" said Mrs. Lecks, severely.</p> + +<p>"The idea is jus' as chillin'," replied her undaunted +friend.</p> + +<p>"Two things connected with this matter," continued +Mr. Dusante, "weighed heavily on my mind. One of +these I have already mentioned—the cruel inhospitality +of the barred entrance."</p> + +<p>I had refrained from adding to the interruptions to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> +Mr. Dusante's narrative, but I now felt impelled to +assure the gentleman, on behalf of myself and wife, +that we shared the opinions of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine, and felt that he could in no way be blamed +for thus protecting his private property.</p> + +<p>"You are very good," said Mr. Dusante, "but I will +say here that there are now no bars to that entrance. +I have left some people on the island, who will take +care of my property and succor any unfortunate castaways +who may arrive there. The other matter to +which I alluded was, however, the heavier load which +oppressed me. This was the money in the ginger-jar. +I could not endure to reflect that I had been paid actual +money for the hospitality I would have been so +glad to offer to you poor shipwrecked people. Every +sentiment of my being rebelled against such a thing. +I was grieved. I was ashamed. At last I determined +I would bear no longer the ignominy of this brand of +inhospitality, and that, with the ginger-jar in my +hand, I would search over the world, if necessary, for +the persons who in my absence had paid board to me, +and return to them the jar with its contents uncounted +and untouched. Your letter informed me of the island +to which you were bound, and if I did not find you +there I could discover to what port you had taken +your departure. There I could make further inquiries, +and so follow you. When I proposed this plan to my +family they agreed to it instantly, for their interest in +the matter was almost as great as mine; and in a day +or two we started on our quest.</p> + +<p>"I easily traced you to San Francisco, and found +the hotel at which you had stopped. Here I obtained<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span> +fresh news of you, and learned that you had started +East, and that the destination of the party was believed +to be Philadelphia. I had hoped that I should +meet with you before you left California; but supposing +that by that time you had reached your destination, +or were, at least, far on your way, I yielded to +the solicitations of my sister and made some excursions +in California, intending then to follow you to +Philadelphia, and there to advertise for Mr. Craig, if +he could not otherwise be found. However, by the +rarest and most fortunate of chances, we have met +thus early, and for this I can never be too devoutly +thankful."</p> + +<p>"Nor we," said I, earnestly; "for our greatly desired +acquaintance with you and your family could not +have begun too soon."</p> + +<p>"Now," said Mr. Dusante, "I will perform the duty +for which my journey was undertaken, and I assure +you it is a great pleasure to me to be able so soon to +carry out this cherished purpose."</p> + +<p>He then took up from the floor by his side the package +which he had so safely guarded during his swift +and perilous descent of the mountain-side, and which +he had since kept close by him. Placing this upon +his knee, he removed the light shawl in which it had +been rolled, and then several pieces of wrapping-paper, +revealing to our eyes the familiar fat little ginger-jar +which had stood on the mantelpiece of the dining-room +in the house on the island, and in which we had +deposited our board money.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span></p> + +<figure class="figleft illowp46" id="i_186" style="max-width: 17.375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_186.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"REVEALING THE FAMILIAR FAT LITTLE GINGER-JAR."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"It would be simply impossible for me," said Mr. +Dusante, "to consent to retain in my possession +money paid for the aid which I involuntarily rendered +to shipwrecked people. Had I been present on the +island, that aid would have been most heartily and +freely given, and the fact of my absence makes no +difference whatever in regard to my feelings on the +subject of your paying for +the food and shelter you +found at my house. Having +understood from Mr. +Craig's letter that it was +Mrs. Lecks who superintended +the collection and +depositing of the money, I +now return to you, madam, +this jar with its contents."</p> + +<p>"And which," said Mrs. +Lecks, sitting up very rigidly, +with her hands clasped +behind her, "I don't take. +If it had been a day and a +night, or even two nights +and over a Sunday, it wouldn't +have mattered; but +when me and Mrs. Aleshine—and the rest of the +party can speak for themselves—stays for weeks and +weeks, without leave or license, in a man's house, we +pay our board—of course deductin' services. Good +night."</p> + +<p>With that she arose, and walked, very erect, into +the adjoining room.</p> + +<p>"It was all very well, Mr. Dusante," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"for you to try to carry out what you thought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +was right; but we have our ideas as to what our duty +is, an' you have your ideas as to what your duty is, +an' consciences is even."</p> + +<p>Having said this, she followed her friend.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante looked surprised and troubled, and he +turned toward me. "My dear sir," said I, "those two +good women are very sensitive in regard to right and +justice, and I think it will be well not to press this +subject upon them. As for my wife and me, neither +of us would consent to touch money which was placed +in that jar by Mrs. Lecks with the expectation that no +one but you or one of your family would take it out."</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir," said Mr. Dusante, replacing the +wrapping-paper around the jar; "I will drop the subject +for the present. But you will allow me to say, +sir, that I also am very sensitive in regard to right +and justice."</p> + +<p>Early the next morning the man who had been sent +to the railroad-station came back, bringing news that +a four-horse wagon would shortly be sent for us, and +also bearing a letter from Mr. Enderton to Ruth. In +this that gentleman informed his daughter that he was +quite well, but that he had suffered anxiety on account +of her probable hardships in the abandoned stage-coach. +He had hoped, however, that the snow which +had precluded his return with assistance had fallen +lightly in the elevated position in which she had been +left; and he had trusted also that Mr. Craig had bethought +himself to build a fire somewhere near the +coach, where his daughter might be warmed; and that +the provisions, of which he knew an ample quantity +had been packed for the trip, had been properly heated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +for her and given to her at suitable intervals. This +anxiety, he said, had added very much to his own +mental disquietude occasioned by the violent vituperations +and unjust demands of the driver of the stage-coach, +who had seen fit to attack him with all manner +of abuse, and might even have resorted to personal +violence had it not been for the interference of by-standers +and the locking of his room door. He was +now, however, much relieved by the departure of this +driver, and by the news that his daughter had reached +a place of safety, which, of course, he had supposed +she would do, her detention having occurred on an +ordinary route of travel.</p> + +<p>While waiting for the arrival of the wagon, the +adventures of Mrs. Lecks, Mrs. Aleshine, and myself, +as well as those of Ruth and her father, from the time +the one party left America and the other China, were +related at length to the Dusantes, who showed a deep +interest in every detail, and asked many questions.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dusante, whose nervous equilibrium had been +fully restored by her night's rest, and who, although +feeling a little stiff and bruised, now declared herself +quite well, proved to be a very pleasant lady of fifty-five +or thereabouts. She was of a quiet disposition, +but her speech and manner showed that in former +years, at least, she had been a woman of society, and +I soon found out that she was much interested in the +study of character. This interest was principally +shown in the direction of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, +whom she evidently looked upon as most remarkable +women. If any of her sentiments were those +of admiration, however, they were not returned in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +kind; Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine had but a small +opinion of her.</p> + +<p>"There's mother-in-laws, and stepmothers, and real +mothers, and grandmothers, and sometimes great-grandmothers +livin'," said Mrs. Lecks to me, apart; +"but though Mr. Dusante may be a well-meanin' +man,—and I don't doubt he is,—and wishin', I haven't +the least reason to disbelieve, to do his whole duty by +his fellow-men, still I must say, bein' brought up as +I was, he hasn't any right to make a new kind of +mother. To be sure, a man can adopt children, but +that isn't goin' backward, like this is, which is ag'in' +nat'ral law and gospel."</p> + +<p>"I expect," said Mrs. Aleshine, who was with us, +"that them French has got fashions that we don't +know about, and thankful we ought to be that we +don't! I never had no patience with French heels an' +French arsenic-green beans; an' now, if there's to be +adoptin' of mothers in this country, the next thing +will be gullotynes."</p> + +<p>"I don't see," said I, "why you look upon the +Dusantes as French people. They are just as much +American as French."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mrs. Lecks, "it's not for me and Mrs. +Aleshine to set ourselves up to judge other people. +In our part of the country we don't adopt mothers; +but if they do it in France, or the Sandwich Islands, +or down East, I don't know that we ought to have +anything to say."</p> + +<p>"He might as well have adopted a father at the +same time," said Mrs. Aleshine, "although, to be +sure, he would 'a' had to been particular to take one<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +that was acquainted with Mrs. Dusante, and not had +'em strangers to each other, though parents to him."</p> + +<p>"If I was you, Barb'ry Aleshine," said Mrs. Lecks, +"I'd adopt some sort of rag to the top of my head to +serve for a bonnet; for here comes the wagon, and I +suppose now we'll be off."</p> + +<p>We took leave of the kind-hearted ranch people, +who looked upon us as a godsend into their lonely life, +and disposed ourselves as comfortably as we could in +the large wagon. Our journey of seven or eight miles +to the railroad-station was slow, and over ways that +were rough. Mrs. Dusante was a delicate woman and +not used to hardship, whereas Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. +Aleshine were exceedingly vigorous and tough. The +consequence of this difference was that the kindly +hearts of the latter prompted them to do everything +they could to prevent Mrs. Dusante feeling the bumps +and jolts, and to give her such advantages of wraps +and position as would help her to bear better the +fatigues of the journey.</p> + +<p>In doing this these good women gradually forgot +the adopted mother, and came to think only of the +very pleasant lady who needed their attentions, and +who took such a lively and agreeable interest in their +family histories, their homes, their manner of living, +and everything that pertained to them; and before we +reached the end of our trip these three were talking +together like old friends. Ruth and Miss Lucille had +also struck up a warm acquaintance, while I found +Mr. Dusante a very entertaining man—of sedate and +careful speech, ingenious ideas, and of a very courteous +disposition.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span></p> + +<p>When we arrived at the railroad-station we were +met by Mr. Enderton, who showed a moderate degree +of pleasure at seeing us, and an immoderate amount +of annoyance, exhibited principally to me, in being +obliged to give up to the women of our party the +large room he had occupied in the only lodging-house +in the little settlement.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_191" style="max-width: 46.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_191.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"RUTH AND MISS LUCILLE STRUCK UP A WARM ACQUAINTANCE."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>When I informed him that the strangers with us +were the Dusantes, on whose island we had been staying, +he at first listened vaguely. He had always +looked upon the Dusante family as a sort of fable used +by Mrs. Lecks to countenance her exactions of money +from the unfortunate sojourners on the island. But +when I told him what Mr. Dusante had done, and related +how he had brought the board money with him, +and had offered to pay it back to us, an eager interest +was aroused in him.</p> + +<p>"I do not wonder," he exclaimed, "that the conscience-stricken +man wishes to give the money back, +but that any one should refuse what actually belongs +to him or her is beyond my comprehension! One<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +thing is certain—I shall receive my portion. Fifteen +dollars a week for my daughter and myself that +woman charged me, and I will have it back."</p> + +<p>"My dear sir," I said, "your board was reduced to +the same sum as that paid by the rest of us—four +dollars a week each."</p> + +<p>"I call to mind no reduction," said Mr. Enderton. +"I remember distinctly the exorbitant sum charged +me for board on a desert island. It made a deep impression +upon me."</p> + +<p>"I do not care to talk any further on this subject," +I said. "You must settle it with Mrs. Lecks."</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton gave a great sniff, and walked away +with dignity. I could not but laugh as I imagined +his condition two minutes after he had stated his +opinions on this subject to Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Dusante had started from San Francisco +on his search for us, he had sent his heavy baggage +ahead of him to Ogden City, where he purposed to +make his first stop. He supposed that we might possibly +here diverge from our homeward-bound route in +order to visit the Mormon metropolis; and, if we had +done so, he did not wish to pass us. It was therefore +now agreed that we should all go to Ogden City, and +there await the arrival of our effects left in the snowed-up +vehicles on the mountain-side. We made arrangements +with the station-master that these should be +forwarded to us as soon as the stage-coach and the +carriage could be brought down. All the baggage of +my party was on the coach, and it consisted only of +a few valises bought in San Francisco, and a package +containing two life-preservers, which Mrs. Lecks and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> +Mrs. Aleshine said they would take home with them, +if they took nothing else.</p> + +<p>On the morning after our arrival at Ogden City, +Mr. Dusante took me aside. "Sir," he said, "I wish +to confide to you my intentions regarding the jar containing +the money left by your party in my house, +and I trust you will do nothing to thwart them. +When your baggage arrives, you, with your party, +will doubtless continue your eastern way, and we shall +return to San Francisco. But the jar, with its contents, +shall be left behind to be delivered to Mrs. +Lecks. If you will take charge of the jar, and hand +it to her, sir, I shall be obliged greatly."</p> + +<p>I promised Mr. Dusante that I would not interfere +with his intentions, but asserted that I could, on no +account, take charge of the jar. The possession of +that piece of pottery, with its contents, was now a +matter of dispute between him and Mrs. Lecks, and +must be settled by them.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then, sir," he said. "I shall arrange +to depart before you and your company, and I shall +leave the jar, suitably packed, in the care of the clerk +of this hotel, with directions to hand it to Mrs. Lecks +after I am gone. Thus there will be nothing for her +to do but to receive it."</p> + +<p>Some one now came into the smoking-room, where +we were sitting, and no more was said on this subject. +Mr. Dusante's statement of his intention very much +amused me, for Mrs. Lecks had previously taken me +into her confidence in regard to her intentions in this +matter. "Mr. Dusante," she had said, "hasn't +dropped a word more about the money in that ginger-jar,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +but I know just as well as he does what he's +goin' to do about it. When the time comes to go, he's +goin' to slip off quietly, leavin' that jar behind him, +thinkin' then I'll be obliged to take it, there bein' +nobody to give it back to. But he'll find me just as +sharp as he is. I've got the street and number of his +business place in Honolulu from his sister,—askin' +about it in an offhand way, as if it didn't mean anything,—an' +if that jar is left for me, I'll pack it in a +box, money and all, and I'll express it to Mr. Dusante; +and when he gets to Honolulu he'll find it there, and +then he'll know that two can play at that sort of +game."</p> + +<p>Knowing Mr. Dusante, and knowing Mrs. Lecks, I +pictured to myself a box containing a ginger-jar, and +covered with numerous half-obliterated addresses, +traveling backward and forward between the Sandwich +Islands and Pennsylvania during the lifetime of +the contestants, and, probably, if testamentary desires +should be regarded, during a great part of the lifetime +of their heirs. That the wear and tear of the box +might make it necessary to inclose it in a keg, and +that, eventually, the keg might have to be placed in a +barrel, and that, after a time, in a hogshead, seemed +to me as likely as any other contingencies which might +befall this peregrinating ginger-jar.</p> + +<p>We spent three days in Ogden City, and then, the +weather having moderated very much, and the snow +on the mountains having melted sufficiently to allow +the vehicles to be brought down, our effects were forwarded +to us, and my party and that of Mr. Dusante +prepared to proceed on our different ways. An eastward-bound<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +train left that evening an hour after we +received our baggage, but we did not care to depart +upon such short notice, and so determined to remain +until the next day.</p> + +<p>In the evening Mr. Dusante came to me to say that +he was very glad to find that the westward train would +leave Ogden City early in the morning, so that he and +his family would start on their journey some hours +before we should leave. "This suits my plans exactly," +he said. "I have left the ginger-jar, securely wrapped, +and addressed to Mrs. Lecks, with the clerk of the +hotel, who will deliver it to-morrow immediately after +my departure. All our preparations are made, and +we purpose this evening to bid farewell to you and +our other kind friends, from whom, I assure you, we +are most deeply grieved to part."</p> + +<p>I had just replied that we also regretted extremely +the necessity for this separation, when a boy brought +me a letter. I opened it, and found it was from Mr. +Enderton. It read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><b>D</b><span class="smcapa">EAR</span> S<span class="smcapa">IR</span><b>:</b> I have determined not to wait here until to-morrow, +but to proceed eastward by this evening's train. I desire +to spend a day in Chicago, and as you and the others will probably +not wish to stop there, I shall, by this means, attain my +object without detaining you. My sudden resolution will not +give me time to see you all before I start, but I have taken a +hurried leave of my daughter, and this letter will explain my +departure to the rest.</p> + +<p>I will also mention that I have thought it proper, as the natural +head of our party both by age and position, to settle the +amicable dispute in regard to the reception and disposition of +the money paid, under an excusable misapprehension, for our +board and lodging upon a desert island. I discovered that the <span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> +receptacle of this money had been left in the custody of the +clerk, addressed to Mrs. Lecks, who has not only already refused +to receive it, and would probably do so again, but who is, in my +opinion, in no wise entitled to hold, possess, or dispose of it. +I therefore, without making any disturbance whatever, have +taken charge of the package, and shall convey it with me to +Chicago. When you arrive there, I will apportion the contents +among us according to our several claims. This I regard as a +very sensible and prudent solution of the little difficulty which +has confronted us in regard to the disposition of this money. +Yours hurriedly,</p> + +<p><b>D</b><span class="smcapa">AVID</span> <b>J. E</b><span class="smcapa">NDERTON.</span></p> + +<p>P.S. I shall stop at Brandiger's Hotel, where I shall await you.</p></blockquote> + + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_196" style="max-width: 25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_196.png" alt="Bottles, jars and umbrella"> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span></p> + + + + +<hr class="chap"> +<h2 id="PART_VI">PART VI</h2> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_197" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_197.png" alt="I was reading a letter and my companion was smoking a pipe"> +</figure> + +<p>Mr. Enderton's letter astonished and angered +me, but in spite of my indignation, I could not +help smiling at the unexpected way in which he had +put a stop to the probable perpetual peregrinations +of the ginger-jar. I handed the letter to Mr. Dusante, +and when he had read it his face flushed, and I could +see that he was very angry, although he kept his temper +under excellent control.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he said presently, "this shall not be allowed. +That jar, with its contents, is my property until Mrs. +Lecks has consented to receive it. It is of my own +option that I return it at all, and I have decided to +return it to Mrs. Lecks. Any one interfering with my +intentions steps entirely beyond the line of just and +warrantable procedure. Sir, I shall not go westward +to-morrow morning, but, with my family, will accompany +you to Chicago, where I shall require Mr. Enderton<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +to return to me my property, which I shall then +dispose of as I see fit. You must excuse me, sir, if +anything I have said regarding this gentleman with +whom you are connected has wounded your sensibilities."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't think of that," I exclaimed. "Pitch into +Enderton as much as you please, and you may be sure +that I shall not object. When I took the daughter to +wife, I did not marry the father. But, of course, for +my wife's sake I hope this matter will not be made the +subject of public comment."</p> + +<p>"You need have no fear of that," said Mr. Dusante; +"and you will allow me to remark that Mr. Enderton's +wife must have been a most charming lady."</p> + +<p>"Why do you think so?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"I judge so," he answered, with a bow, "from my +acquaintance with Mrs. Craig."</p> + +<p>I now went immediately to Ruth, who, I found, +knew nothing of what had occurred, except that her +father had gone on to Chicago in advance of our +party, and had had time only to bid her a hasty +good-by. I made no remarks on this haste, which +would not allow Mr. Enderton to take leave of us, but +which gave him time to write a letter of some length; +and as Ruth knew nothing of this letter, I determined +not to mention it to her. Her father's sudden departure +surprised her but little, for she told me that he +always liked to get to places before the rest of the +party with whom he might be journeying.</p> + +<p>"Even when we go to church," she said, "he always +walks ahead of the rest of us. I don't understand +why he likes to do so, but this is one of his habits."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span></p> + +<p>When I informed Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine of +what had happened, they fairly blazed.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what Mr. Dusante calls it," exclaimed +Mrs. Lecks, "but I know what I call it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed!" cried Mrs. Aleshine, her round +eyes sparkling with excitement; "if that isn't ex-honesty, +then he ain't no ex-missionary! I pity the +heathen he converted!"</p> + +<p>"I'll convert him," said Mrs. Lecks, "if ever I lay +eyes on him! Walkin' away with a package with my +name on it! He might as well take my gold spectacles +or my tortoise-shell comb! I suppose there's no +such thing as ketchin' up with him, but I'll telegraph +after him; an' I'll let him know that if he dares to +open a package of mine, I'll put the law on him!"</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Mrs. Aleshine. "You kin send +telegraphs all along the line to one station an' another +for conductors to give to him in the cars, an' directed +to Mr. Enderton, a tall man with gray-mixed hair an' +a stolen bundle. That's the way they did in our place +when Abram Marly's wife fell into the cistern, an' he'd +jus' took the cars to the city, an' they telegraphed to +him at five different stations to know where he'd left +the ladder."</p> + +<p>"Which ain't a bad idea," said Mrs. Lecks, "though +his name will be enough on it without no description; +an' I'll do that this minute, an' find out about the +stations from the clerk."</p> + +<p>"You must be very careful," I said, "about anything +of that kind, for the telegrams will be read at +the stations, and Mr. Enderton might be brought into +trouble in a way which we all should regret; but a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> +despatch may be worded so that he, and no one else, +would understand it."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Mrs. Lecks, "an' let's get at it; +but I must say that he don't deserve bein' saved no +trouble, for I'm as sure as that I'm a livin' woman +that he never saved nobody else no trouble sence the +first minute he was born."</p> + +<p>The following despatch was concocted and sent on +to Bridger, to be delivered to Mr. Enderton on the +train:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The package you know of has been stolen. You will recognize +the thief. If he leaves it at Chicago hotel, let him go. If +he opens it, clap him in jail.</p> + +<p><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">RS.</span> <b>L</b><span class="smcapa">ECKS.</span><br></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>"I think that will make him keep his fingers off it," +said Mrs. Lecks; "an' if Mr. Dusante chooses to send +somethin' of the same kind to some other station, it +won't do no harm. An' if that Enderton gets so +skeered that he keeps out of sight and hearin' of all of +us, it'll be the best thing that's happened yet. An' +I want you to understan', Mr. Craig, that nothin' 's +goin' to be said or done to make your wife feel bad; +an' there's no need of her hearin' about what's been +done or what's goin' to be done. But I'll say for +her that though, of course, Mr. Enderton is her father, +and she looks up to him as such, she's a mighty deal +livelier and gayer-hearted when he's away than when +he's with her. An' as for the rest of us, there's no +use sayin' anything about our resignedness to the loss +of his company."</p> + +<p>"I should say so," said Mrs. Aleshine; "for if there +ever was a man who thought of himself ninety-nine<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> +times before he thought of anybody else once, an' +then as like as not to forgit that once, he's the man. +An' it's not, by no means, that I'm down on missionaries, +for it's many a box I've made up for 'em, +an' never begrudged neither money nor trouble, an' +will do it ag'in many times, I hope. But he oughtn't +to be called one, havin' given it up,—unless they gave +him up, which there's no knowin' which it was,—for +if there's anything which shows the good in a man, it's +his bein' willin' to give up the comforts of a Christian +land an' go an' convert heathens; though bein' willin' +to give up the heathens an' go for the comforts shows +him quite different, besides, as like as not, chargin' +double, an' only half convertin'."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante was fully determined to go on with us +until he had recovered possession of the ginger-jar. +His courteous feelings toward Mrs. Craig and myself +prevented his saying much about Mr. Enderton, but +I had good reason to believe that his opinions in regard +to my father-in-law were not very different from +those of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. Ever since +Mr. Enderton had shown his petulant selfishness, when +obliged to give up his room at the railroad-station for +the use of the women of his party, Mr. Dusante had +looked upon him coldly, and the two had had but +little to say to each other.</p> + +<p>We were all very glad that our pleasant party was +not to be broken up; and although there was no resignation +at the absence of the ginger-jar, we started on +our journey the next day in a pleasanter mood for the +absence of Mr. Enderton. Before we left, Mr. Dusante +sent a telegram to Kearney Junction, to be delivered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +to Mr. Enderton when he arrived there. What this +message was I do not know, but I imagine its tone +was decided.</p> + +<p>Our journey to Chicago was a pleasant one. We +had now all become very well acquainted with each +other, and there was no discordant element in the +combined party. Some of us were a little apprehensive +of trouble, or annoyance at least, awaiting us in +Chicago, but we did not speak of it; and while Ruth +knew nothing of her father's misbehavior, it might +have been supposed that the rest had forgotten it.</p> + +<p>At Chicago we went at once to Brandiger's Hotel, +and there we found, instead of Mr. Enderton, a letter +from him to Ruth. It read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">Y DEAR</span> <b>D</b><span class="smcapa">AUGHTER</span><b>:</b> I have determined not to wait here, as +originally intended, but to go on by myself. I am sorry not to +meet you here, but it will not be long before we are together +again, and you know I do not like to travel with a party. Its +various members always incommode me in one way or another. +I had proposed to go to Philadelphia and wait for you there, +but have since concluded to stop at Meadowville, a village in +the interior of Pennsylvania, where, as they have informed me, +the two women, Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, reside. I wish +to see the party all together before I take final leave of them, +and I suppose the two women will not consent to go any farther +than the country town in which they live. Inclosed is a note to +your husband relating to business matters. I hope that he will +take the best of care of you during the rest of the journey, and +thus very much oblige</p> + +<p><b>Y</b><span class="smcapa">OUR AFFECTIONATE</span> <b>F</b><span class="smcapa">ATHER</span>.<br></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>This was my note:<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span></p> + +<blockquote><p><b>M</b><span class="smcapa">R.</span> <b>C</b><span class="smcapa">RAIG.</span> <b>S</b><span class="smcapa">IR</span><b>:</b> I should have supposed that you would have +been able to prevent the insolent messages which have been +telegraphed to me from some members of your party, but it is +my lot to be disappointed in those in whom I trust. I shall +make no answer to these messages, but will say to you that I +am not to be browbeaten in my intention to divide among its +rightful claimants the money now in my possession. It is not +that I care for the comparatively paltry sum that will fall to +myself and my daughter, but it is the principle of the matter for +which I am contending. It was due to me that the amount +should have been returned to me, and to no other, that I might +make the proper division. I therefore rest upon my principles +and my rights; and, desiring to avoid needless altercations, +shall proceed to Meadowville, where, when the rest of my party +arrive, I shall justly apportion the money. I suppose the man +Dusante will not be foolish enough to protract his useless journey +farther than Chicago. It is your duty to make him see the +impropriety of so doing. Yours, etc.,</p> + +<p><b>D. J. E</b><span class="smcapa">NDERTON.</span><br> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Ruth's letter was shown to all the party, and mine +in private to Mr. Dusante, Mrs. Lecks, and Mrs. Aleshine. +When the first moments of astonishment were +over, Mrs. Lecks exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Well, after all, I don't know that I'm so very +sorry that the old sneak has done this, for now we're +rid of him for the rest of the trip; and I'm pretty +certain, from the way he writes, that he hasn't dipped +into that jar yet. We've skeered him from doin' +that."</p> + +<p>"But the impidence of him!" said Mrs. Aleshine. +"Think of his goin' to the very town where we live +an' gittin' there fust! He'll be settin' on that tavern +porch, with every loafer in the place about him, an' +tellin' 'em the whole story of what happened to us from +beginnin' to end, till by the time we git there it'll be +all over the place an' as stale as last week's bread."</p> + +<p>"'The man Dusante,'" quietly remarked that individual,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> +"will not abandon the purpose of his journey. +He left his island to place in the hands of Mrs. Lecks, +on behalf of her party, the ginger-jar with the money +inclosed. He will therefore go on with you to Meadowville, +and will there make formal demand, and, if +necessary, legal requisition, for the possession of that +jar and that money; after which he will proceed to +carry out his original intentions."</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp93" id="i_204" style="max-width: 50em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_204.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"'THE IMPIDENCE OF HIM!'"</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>We all expressed our pleasure at having him, with +his ladies, as companions for the remainder of our +journey, and Mrs. Lecks immediately offered them the +hospitalities of her house for as long a time as they +might wish to stay with her.</p> + +<p>"The weather there," she said, "is often splendid +till past Thanksgivin' day, an' nobody could be welcomer +than you."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span></p> + +<p>"I'd have asked you myself," said Mrs. Aleshine, +"if Mrs. Lecks hadn't done it,—which of course she +would, bein' alive,—but I'm goin' to have Mr. Craig +an' his wife, an' as our houses is near, we'll see each +other all the time. An' if Mr. Enderton chooses to +stay awhile at the tavern, he can come over to see +his daughter whenever he likes. I'll go as fur as +that, though no further can I go. I'm not the one to +turn anybody from my door, be he heathen, or jus' as +bad, or wuss. But tea once, or perhaps twice, is all +that I can find it in my heart to offer that man after +what he's done."</p> + +<p>As the Dusantes and Ruth expressed a desire to see +something of Chicago, where they had never been before, +we remained in this city for two days, feeling +that, as Mr. Enderton would await our coming, there +was no necessity for haste.</p> + +<p>Early in the afternoon of the second day I went into +the parlor of the hotel, where I expected to find our +party prepared for a sight-seeing excursion; but I +found the room tenanted only by Mrs. Aleshine, who +was sitting with her bonnet and wraps on, ready to +start forth. I had said but a few words to her when +Mrs. Lecks entered, without bonnet or shawl, and +with her knitting in her hand. She took a seat in a +large easy-chair, put on her spectacles, and proceeded +to knit.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Lecks!" exclaimed her friend, in surprise, +"don't you intend goin' out this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Mrs. Lecks. "I've seen all I want to +see, an' I'm goin' to stay in the house an' keep +quiet."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span></p> + +<p>"Isn't Mr. Dusante goin' out this afternoon?" asked +Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks laid her knitting in her lap; then she +took off her spectacles, folded them, and placed them +beside the ball of yarn, and, turning her chair around, +she faced her friend. "Barb'ry Aleshine," said she, +speaking very deliberately, "has any such a thing got +into your mind as that I'm settin' my cap at Mr. +Dusante?"</p> + +<p>"I don't say you have, an' I don't say you haven't," +answered Mrs. Aleshine, her fat hands folded on her +knees, and her round face shining from under her new +bonnet with an expression of hearty good will; "but +this I will say,—an' I don't care who hears it,—that if +you was to set your cap at Mr. Dusante, there needn't +nobody say anythin' ag'in' it, so long as you are content. +He isn't what I'd choose for you, if I had the choosin', +for I'd git one with an American name an' no islands. +But that's neither here nor there, for you're a grown +woman an' can do your own choosin'. An' whether +there's any choosin' to be done is your own business, +too, for it's full eleven years sence you've been done +with widder fixin's; an' if Mr. Lecks was to rise up +out of his grave this minute, he couldn't put his hand +on his heart an' say that you hadn't done your full +duty by him, both before an' after he was laid away. +An' so, if you did want to do choosin', an' made up +your mind to set your cap at Mr. Dusante, there's no +word to be said. Both of you is ripe-aged an' qualified +to know your own minds, an' both of you is well off +enough, to all intents an' purposes, to settle down +together, if so inclined. An' as to his sister, I don't<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +expect she will be on his hands for long. An' if you +can put up with an adopted mother-in-law, that's your +business, not mine; though I allus did say, Mrs. +Lecks, that if you'd been 'Piscopalian, you'd been +Low-church."</p> + +<p>"Is that all?" said Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the other; "it's all I have to say jus' +now, though more might come to me if I gave my +mind to it."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said Mrs. Lecks, "I've somethin' to +say on this p'int, and I'm very glad Mr. Craig is here +to hear it. If I had a feelin' in the direction of Mr. +Dusante that he was a man, though not exactly what +I might wish, havin' somethin' of foreign manners, +with ties in the Sandwich Islands, which I shouldn't +have had so if I'd had the orderin' of it, who was still +a Christian gentleman,—as showed by his acts, not his +words,—a lovin' brother, an' a kind an' attentive son +by his own adoption, and who would make me a good +husband for the rest of our two lives, then I'd go +and I'd set my cap at him—not bold nor flauntin' nor +unbecomin' to a woman of my age, but just so much +settin' of it at him that if he had any feelin's in my +direction, and thought, although it was rather late in +life for him to make a change, that if he was goin' to +do it he'd rather make that change with a woman +who had age enough, and experience enough, in downs +as well as ups, and in married life as well as single, to +make him feel that as he got her so he'd always find +her, then I say all he'd have to do would be to come +to me an' say what he thought, an' I'd say what I +thought, an' the thing would be settled, an' nobody in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> +this world need have one word to say, except to wish +us joy, an' then go along and attend to their own +business.</p> + +<p>"But now I say to you, Barb'ry Aleshine, an' just +the same to you, Mr. Craig, that I haven't got no such +feelin's in the direction of Mr. Dusante, an' I don't +intend to set my cap at him; an' if he wore such a +thing, and set it at me, I'd say to him, kind, though +firm, that he could put it straight again as far as I was +concerned, an' that if he chose to set it at any other +woman, if the nearest an' dearest friend I have on +earth, I'd do what I could to make their married lives +as happy as they could be under the circumstances, +and no matter what happened, I wouldn't say one +word, though I might think what I pleased. An' now +you have it, all straight and plain: if I wanted to set +caps, I'd set 'em; and if I didn't want to set 'em, I +wouldn't. I don't want to, and I don't."</p> + +<p>And, putting on her spectacles, she resumed her +knitting.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Aleshine turned upon her friend a beaming +face.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Lecks," she said, "your words has lifted a +load from off my mind. It wouldn't ha' broke me +down, an' you wouldn't never have knowed I carried +it; but it's gone, an' I'm mighty glad of it. An' as +for me an' my cap,—an' when you spoke of nearest +and dearest friends you couldn't mean nobody but +me,—you needn't be afraid. No matter what I was, +nor what he was, nor what I thought of him, nor what +he thought of me, I couldn't never say to my son, +when he comes to his mother's arms all the way from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> +Japan: 'George, here's a Frenchman who I give to +you for a father!'"</p> + +<p>Here I burst out laughing; but Mrs. Lecks gravely +remarked: "Now I hope this business of cap-settin' is +settled an' done with."</p> + +<p>"Which it is," said Mrs. Aleshine, as she rose to +meet the rest of our party as they entered the room.</p> + +<p>For several days I could not look upon the dignified +and almost courtly Mr. Dusante without laughing internally, +and wondering what he would think if he +knew how, without the slightest provocation on his +side, a matrimonial connection with him had been discussed +by these good women, and how the matter had +been finally settled. I think he would have considered +this the most surprising incident in the whole series +of his adventures.</p> + +<p>On our journey from Chicago to the little country +town in the interior of Pennsylvania we made a few +stops at points of interest for the sake of Ruth and the +Dusante ladies, Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine generously +consenting to these delays, although I knew they +felt impatient to reach their homes. They were now +on most social terms with Mrs. Dusante, and the three +chatted together like old friends.</p> + +<p>"I asked her if we might call her Emily," said Mrs. +Aleshine in confidence to me, "an' she said yes, an' +we're goin' to do it. I've all along wanted to, because +it seemed to come nat'ral, considerin' we knowed +'em as Emily and Lucille before we set eyes on 'em. +But as long as I had that load on my mind about Mrs. +Lecks and Mr. Dusante I could n't 'Emily' his adopted +mother. My feelin's wouldn't ha' stood it. But now<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +it's all right; an' though Emily isn't the woman I expected +her to be, Lucille is the very picter of what I +thought she was. And as for Emily, I never knowed +a nicer-mannered lady, an' more willin' to learn from +people that's had experience, than she is."</p> + +<p>We arrived at Meadowville early in the afternoon, +and when our party alighted from the train we were +surprised not to see Mr. Enderton on the platform of +the little station. Instead of him, there stood three +persons whose appearance amazed and delighted us. +They were the red-bearded coxswain and the two sailormen, +all in neat new clothes, and with their hands +raised in maritime salute.</p> + +<p>There was a cry of joy. Mrs. Aleshine dropped her +bag and umbrella, and rushed toward them with outstretched +hands. In a moment Mrs. Lecks, Ruth, and +myself joined the group, and greeted warmly our +nautical companions of the island.</p> + +<p>The Dusante party, when they were made acquainted +with the mariners, were almost as much delighted as +we were, and Mr. Dusante expressed in cordial words +his pleasure in meeting the other members of the party +to whom his island had given refuge.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad to see you," said Mrs. Aleshine, "that +I don't know my bonnet from my shoes! But how, +in the name of all that's wonderful, did you get +here?"</p> + +<p>"'T ain't much of a story," said the coxswain, "an' +this is just the whole of it. When you left us at +'Frisco we felt pretty downsome, an' the more that +way because we couldn't find no vessel that we cared +to ship on; an' then there come to town the agent of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +the house that owned our brig, and we was paid off +for our last v'yage. Then, when we had fitted +ourselves out with new togs, we began to think different +about this shippin' on board a merchant-vessel, an' +gettin' cussed at, an' livin' on hard-tack an' salt prog, +an' jus' as like as not the ship springin' a leak an' all +hands pumpin' night an' day, an' goin' to Davy Jones, +after all. An' after talkin' this all over, we was struck +hard on the weather-bow with a feelin' that it was a +blamed sight better—beggin' your pardon, ma'am—to +dig garden-beds in nice soft dirt, an' plant peas, an' +ketch fish, an' all that kind of shore work, an' eatin' +them good things you used to cook for us, Mrs. +Aleshine, and dancin' hornpipes for ye, and tamin' birds +when our watch was off. Wasn't that so, Jim an' +Bill?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!" said the black-bearded sailormen.</p> + +<p>"Then says I, 'Now look here, mates; don't let's +go and lark away all this money, but take it an' make +a land trip to where Mrs. Aleshine lives'—which port +I had the name of on a piece of paper which you gave +me, ma'am."</p> + +<p>And here Mrs. Aleshine nodded vigorously, not +being willing to interrupt this entrancing story.</p> + +<p>"'An' if she's got another garden, an' wants it dug +in, an' things planted, an' fish caught, an' any other +kind of shore work done, why, we're the men for her; +an' we'll sign the papers for as long a v'yage as she +likes, and stick by her in fair weather or foul, bein' +good for day work an' night work, an' allus ready to +fall in when she passes the word.' Ain't that so, Jim +an' Bill?"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span></p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!" returned the sailormen, with +sonorous earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Upon my word!" cried Mrs. Aleshine, tears of joy +running down her cheeks, "them papers shall be +signed, if I have to work night an' day to find somethin' +for you to do. I've got a man takin' keer of my +place now; but many a time have I said to myself that +if I had anybody I could trust to do the work right, +I'd buy them two fields of Squire Ramsey's, an' go into +the onion business. An' now you sailormen has come +like three sea angels, an' if it suits you we'll go into +the onion business on sheers."</p> + +<p>"That suits us tiptop, ma'am," said the coxswain; +"an' we'll plant inyans for ye on the shears, on the +stocks, or in the dry-dock. It don't make no dif'rence +to us where you have 'em; just pass the word."</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said Mrs. Lecks, "I don't know how +that's goin' to work, but we won't talk about it now. +An' so you came straight on to this place?"</p> + +<p>"That did we, ma'am," said the coxswain. "An' +when we got here we found the parson, but none of +you folks. That took us aback a little at fust, but he +said he didn't live here, an' you was comin' pretty +soon. An' so we took lodgin's at the tavern, an' for +three days we've been down here to meet every train, +expectin' you might be on it."</p> + +<p>Our baggage had been put on the platform, the train +had moved on, and we had stood engrossed in the +coxswain's narrative; but now I thought it necessary to +make a move. There was but one small vehicle to +hire at the station. This would hold but two persons, +and in it I placed Mrs. Dusante and Ruth, the first<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> +being not accustomed to walking, and the latter very +anxious to meet her father. I ordered the man to +drive them to the inn, where we would stay until Mrs. +Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine' should get their houses +properly aired and ready for our reception.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Craig will be glad to get to the tavern and +see her father," said Mrs. Aleshine. "I expect he +forgot all about its bein' time for the train to come."</p> + +<p>"Bless you, ma'am!" exclaimed the coxswain, "is +she gone to the tavern? The parson's not there!"</p> + +<p>"Where is he, then?" asked Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"He's at your house, ma'am," replied the coxswain.</p> + +<p>"An' what, in the name of common sense, is he doin' +at my house?" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, her eyes +sparkling with amazement and indignation.</p> + +<p>"Well, ma'am, for one thing," said the coxswain, +"he's had the front door painted."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine, in one +breath.</p> + +<p>"Yes," continued the coxswain; "the parson said +he hated to see men hangin' around doin' nothin'. +An' then he looked about, an' said the paint was all +wore off the front door, an' we might as well go to +work an' paint that; an' he sent Jim to a shop to git +the paint an' brushes—"</p> + +<p>"An' have 'em charged to me?" cried Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am," continued the coxswain. "An' Jim an' +Bill holystoned all the old paint off the door, an' I +painted it, havin' done lots of that sort of thing on +shipboard; an' I think it's a pretty good job, ma'am—red +at top and bottom, an' white in the middle, like a +steamer's smoke-stack."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine looked at each other. +"An' he told you to do that?" said Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"Yes, ma'am," answered the coxswain. "The +parson said he never liked to be nowhere without doin' +what good he could. An' there was some other +paintin' he talked of havin' done, but we ain't got at +it yet. I s'posed he was actin' under your orders, an' +I hope I haven't done no wrong, ma'am."</p> + +<p>"You're not a bit to blame," said Mrs. Aleshine; +"but I'll look into this thing. No fear about that! +An' how did he come to go to my house? An' how +did he get in, I'd like to know?"</p> + +<p>"All I know about that," said the coxswain, "is +what the gal that's livin' there told me, which she did +along of askin' us if we was comin' to live there too, +an' if she should rig up beds for us somewhere in the +top-loft; but we told her no, not havin' no orders, an' +payin' our own way at the tavern. She said, said she, +that the parson come there, an' 'lowed he was a friend +of Mrs. Aleshine's an' travelin' with her, an' that if she +was at home she wouldn't let him stay at no tavern; +an' that, knowin' her wishes, he'd come right there, an' +'spected to be took care of till she come. She said she +felt uncertain about it, but she tuck him in till she +could think it over, an' then we come an' certified that +he was the parson who'd been along with Mrs. Aleshine +an' the rest of us. Arter that she thought it +was all right, an', beggin' your pardon if we was +wrong, so did Jim an' Bill an' me, ma'am."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span></p> + +<figure class="figright illowp71" id="i_215" style="max-width: 17.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_215.png" alt="Profile of Mrs. Lecks"> +</figure> + +<p>"Now," exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, "if that isn't +exactly like Elizabeth Grootenheimer! To think of +Elizabeth Grootenheimer thinkin'! The Grootenheimers +always was the dumbest family in the township, +an' Elizabeth Grootenheimer is the dumbest of +'em all! I did say to myself, when I went away: +'Now, Elizabeth Grootenheimer is so stone dumb that +she'll jus' stay here an' do the +little I tell her to do, an' hasn't +sense enough to get into no +mischief.' An' now, look at +her!"</p> + +<p>She waved her hand in the +direction of the invisible Elizabeth +Grootenheimer.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks had said very little +during this startling communication, +but her face had assumed a stern and +determined expression. Now she spoke:</p> + +<p>"I guess we've heard about enough, an' we'd better +be steppin' along an' see what else Mr. Enderton an' +Elizabeth Grootenheimer is doin'."</p> + +<p>The homes of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine were +not far from each other, and were situated about midway +between the station and the village inn, and in the +direction of these our party now started. Mrs. Aleshine, +contrary to her custom, took the lead, and +walked away with strides of unusual length. Mrs. +Lecks was close behind her, followed by the two +Dusantes and myself, while the three mariners, who +insisted upon carrying all the hand-baggage, brought +up the rear. We stepped quickly, for we were all +much interested in what might happen next; and very +soon we reached Mrs. Aleshine's house. It was a +good-sized and pleasant-looking dwelling, painted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +white, with green shutters, and with a long covered +piazza at the front. Between the road and the house +was a neat yard with grass and flower-beds, and from +the gate of the picket-fence in front of the yard a +brick-paved path led up to the house.</p> + +<p>Our approach had been perceived, for on the piazza, +in front of the gaily painted door, stood Mr. Enderton, +erect, and with a bland and benignant smile upon his +face. One hand was stretched out as if in welcome, +and with the other he gracefully held the ginger-jar, +now divested of its wrappings.</p> + +<p>At this sight Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine made a +simultaneous dash at the gate; but it was locked. The +two women stamped their feet in fury.</p> + +<p>"Put down that jar!" shouted Mrs. Lecks.</p> + +<p>"Elizabeth Grootenheimer! Elizabeth Grootenheimer!" +screamed Mrs. Aleshine. "Come here and +open this gate."</p> + +<p>"Break it down!" said Mrs. Lecks, turning to the +sailors.</p> + +<p>"Don't you do it!" exclaimed Mrs. Aleshine, throwing +herself in front of it. "Don't you break my gate! +Elizabeth Grootenheimer!"</p> + +<p>"My friends," said Mr. Enderton, in clear, distinct +tones, "be calm. I have the key of that gate in my +pocket. I locked it because I feared that on your +first arrival you would hurry up to the house in a +promiscuous way, and give heed to irrelevant matters. +I wished to address you in a body, and in a position +where your attention would not be diverted from me. +I hold here, my friends, the receptacle containing the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> +money which, under a misapprehension, was paid for +our board while on a desert island. This money I +have taken care of, and have carefully guarded for the +benefit of us all. Unfortunately, objections have arisen +to this guardianship, which were forwarded to me by +telegraph; but I have not heeded them. If you cannot +see for yourselves the propriety of my assumption +of this trust, I will not now undertake to enlighten +you. But I hope there is no necessity for this, for, +having had time to give the matter your fullest attention, +I doubt not that you entirely agree with me. I +will merely add, for I see you are impatient, that the +sum which will fall to the share of each of us is comparatively +insignificant and in itself not worth striving +for; but what I have done has been for the sake +of principle. For the sake of principle I have insisted +that this money should be received by its rightful owners; +for the sake of principle I assumed the custody +of it; and for the sake of principle I shall now empty +the contents of this jar—which by me has not been +examined or touched—upon the floor of this piazza, +and I shall then proceed to divide said contents into +five suitable portions—the three mariners, as I understand, +having paid no board. The gate can then be +opened, and each one can come forward and take the +portion which belongs to him or to her. The portion of +my daughter, whom I saw pass here in a carriage, going, +doubtless, to the inn, will be taken charge of by myself."</p> + +<p>"You man!" shrieked Mrs. Lecks, shaking her fist +over the fence, "if you as much as lift that paper of +fish-hooks from out the top of that ginger-jar, I'll—"<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span></p> + +<figure class="figleft illowp44" id="i_218" style="max-width: 14.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_218.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"'YOU MAN!' SHRIEKED MRS. LECKS."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Here she was interrupted by the loud, clear voice of +Mr. Dusante, who called out: "Sir, I require you to +put down that jar, which is my property."</p> + +<p>"I'll let you know," said Mrs. Lecks, "that other +people have principles!"</p> + +<p>But what more she said was drowned by the voice +of Mrs. Aleshine, who screamed for Elizabeth Grootenheimer, +and who was +now so much excited +that she was actually +trying to break open +her own gate.</p> + +<p>I called out to Mr. +Enderton not to make +trouble by disturbing +the contents of the +jar; and even Miss +Lucille, who was intensely +amused at the +scene, could be heard +joining her voice to +the general clamor.</p> + +<p>But the threats and +demands of our united +party had no effect +upon Mr. Enderton. +He stood up, serene +and bland, fully appreciating +the advantage of having the key of the +gate's padlock in his pocket and the ginger-jar in his +hand.</p> + +<p>"I will now proceed," said he. But at that moment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> +his attention was attracted by the three mariners, who +had clambered over the pointed pales of the fence, and +who now appeared on the piazza, Bill to the right hand +of Mr. Enderton, Jim to the left, and the red-bearded +coxswain at his back. They all seemed to speak at +once, though what they said we could not hear, +nothing but a few hoarse mutterings coming down +to us.</p> + +<p>But in consequence of what Bill said, Mr. Enderton +handed him the key of the gate; and in consequence +of what Jim said, Mr. Enderton delivered to him the +ginger-jar; and in consequence of what the coxswain +said, he and Mr. Enderton walked off the piazza; and +the two proceeded to a distant corner of the yard, +where they stood out of the way, as it were, while the +gate was opened. Bill bungled a little, but the padlock +was soon removed, and we all hurried through the +gate and up to the piazza, where Jim still stood, the +ginger-jar held reverently in his hands.</p> + +<p>The coxswain now left Mr. Enderton, and that +gentleman proceeded to the open gate, through which +he passed into the road, and then turned, and in a loud +and severe tone addressed Mrs. Aleshine:</p> + +<p>"I leave your inhospitable house, and go to join my +daughter at the inn, where I request you to send my +valise and umbrella as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Aleshine's indignation at this invasion of her +home and this trampling on her right to open her own +gate had entirely driven away her accustomed geniality, +and in angry tones she cried:</p> + +<p>"Jus' you stop at that paint-shop, when you git to +the village, an' pay for the paint you had charged to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +me; an' when you've done that you can send for your +things."</p> + +<p>"Come, now, Barb'ry," said Mrs. Lecks, "don't let +your feelin's run away with you. You ought to be +thankful that he's let you off so easy, an' that he's +gone."</p> + +<p>"I'm all that," said Mrs. Aleshine; "an', on second +thoughts, every whip-stitch of his bag and baggage +shall be trundled after him as soon as I kin git it +away."</p> + +<p>We all now stood upon the piazza, and Mrs. Aleshine, +in calmer tones, but with her face still flushed from +her recent excitement, turned to us and said: "Now, +isn't this a pretty comin' home? My front gate +fastened in my very face; my front door painted red +and white; the inside of the house, as like as not, +turned upside down by that man jus' as much as the +outside; an' where in the world, I'd like to know, is +Elizabeth Grootenheimer?"</p> + +<p>"Now don't you be too hard on her," said Mrs. +Lecks, "after havin' been away from her so long. I +haven't a doubt she's feedin' the pigs; and you know +very well she never would leave them as long as she +felt they needed her. You needn't mind if your +house is upset, for none of us is comin' in, havin' only +intended to see you to your door, which I must say is +a pretty blazin' one."</p> + +<p>"And now, Mrs. Lecks," said Mr. Dusante, taking, +as he spoke, the ginger-jar from the hand of Jim, "I +think this is a suitable opportunity for me to accomplish +the object for which my present journey was undertaken, +and to return to you the contents of this jar."<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span></p> + +<p>"Which," said Mrs. Lecks, in a very decided tone, +"I don't take now no more'n I did before."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante looked surprised and troubled. After +all the dangers and adventures through which that +ginger-jar had gone, I believe that he expected Mrs. +Lecks would at last relent and consent to accept it from +him.</p> + +<p>"Now, look here," said Mrs. Aleshine, "don't let us +have any more fuss about the ginger-jar, or anything +else. Let's put off talkin' about that till we're all +settled and fixed. It won't do for you to take the jar +to the tavern with you, Mr. Dusante, for like as not +Mr. Enderton will git hold of it ag'in, an' I know Mrs. +Lecks won't let it come into her house; so, if you like, +you may jus' leave it here for the present, and you may +make up your minds nobody'll touch it while I'm +about. An' about I intend to be."</p> + +<p>This arrangement was gladly agreed upon, and the +jar being delivered to Mrs. Aleshine, we took our leave +of her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks found no difficulty in entering her gate, +where she was duly welcomed by a man and his wife +she had left in charge, while the Dusantes and myself +walked on to the inn, or "Hotel," as its sign imported, +about which the greater part of the little town clustered. +The three mariners remained behind to await +further orders from Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>By the afternoon of the next day the abodes of those +two most energetic and capable housewives, Mrs. Lecks +and Mrs. Aleshine, were fully prepared for the reception +of their visitors, and the Dusante family were ensconced +beneath the roof of the one, while my wife and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +I were most warmly welcomed at the gaily adorned +door of the other.</p> + +<p>Mr. Enderton remained at the inn, where he found +very comfortable quarters, an arrangement satisfactory +to all parties.</p> + +<p>In Mrs. Aleshine's dwelling, where, from the very +first, Lucille took her position as a most constant visitor, +being equally welcomed by Ruth and the mistress +of the house, all was satisfaction and high good humor. +The ceaseless activity and cheerful spirits of our hostess +seemed to animate us all. At Mrs. Lecks's home the +case was different. There, I could plainly see, there +was a certain uneasiness amounting almost to stiffness +between Mrs. Lecks and Mr. Dusante. The latter had +not accomplished the purpose for which he had made +this long journey; and though, if things had turned +out as he wished, he would have been very glad to be +the guest of Mrs. Lecks, still, under the present circumstances, +the situation did not suit him. Mrs. +Lecks, too, possessed an unsettled mind. She did not +know when Mr. Dusante would again endeavor to +force back upon her the board money in the ginger-jar, +and in this state of uneasy expectancy she was not +at her best.</p> + +<p>"He's not satisfied," said she to me, on the morning +after the Dusantes had come to her; "he wants to do +somethin', or else to go away. I wish that ginger-jar +had dropped into the bottom of the sea while he was +bringin' it, or else had smashed itself into a thousand +bits while he was slidin' down the mountain, and the +money had melted itself into the snow. S'posin' at the +end of the week he was to come to me and offer to pay<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +me board for himself and his family, sayin' that was +no more than I'd done to him! Of course the two +cases are not a bit alike; for we went to his house +strangers, without leave or license, while he comes to +mine as a friend, bein' fully invited and pressed. But +I don't suppose I could make him see it in that light, +and it worries me."</p> + +<p>I was convinced that something ought to be done to +end this unpleasant state of affairs, and I took my wife +and Miss Lucille into council on the subject. After +we had deliberated a little while an idea came to Ruth.</p> + +<p>"In my opinion," said she, "the best thing we can +do with that board money is to give it to those three +sailors. They are poor and will be glad to get it; Mr. +Dusante and Mrs. Lecks ought to be fully satisfied, for +the one doesn't keep it and the other doesn't take it +back; and I'm sure that this plan will please all the +rest of us."</p> + +<p>This proposition was agreed to by the council, and +I was appointed to go immediately and lay it before +the parties interested.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante gave his ready consent to this proposal. +"It is not what I intended to do," said he, "but it +amounts to almost the same thing. The money is in +fact restored to its owners, and they agree to make a +certain disposition of it. I am satisfied."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lecks hesitated a little. "All right," said she. +"He takes the money and gives it to who he chooses. +I've nothin' to say against it."</p> + +<p>Of course no opposition to the plan was to be expected +from anybody else, except Mr. Enderton. +But when I mentioned it to him, I found, to my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +surprise, that he was not unwilling to agree to it. +Half closing the book he had been reading, he said: +"What I have done was on behalf of principle. I did +not believe, and do not believe, that upon an entirely +deserted island money should be paid for board. I +paid it under protest, and I do not withdraw that protest. +According to all the laws of justice and hospitality, +the man who owned that island should not retain +that money, and Mrs. Lecks had no right to insist +upon such retention. But if it is proposed to give +the sum total to three mariners who paid no board, +and to whom the gift is an absolute charity, I am content. +To be sure, they interfered with me at a moment +when I was about to make a suitable settlement +of the matter, but I have no doubt they were told to +do so; and I must admit that while they carried out +their orders with a certain firmness, characteristic of +persons accustomed to unreasoning obedience, they +treated me with entire respect. If equal respect had +been shown to me at the beginning of these disputes, +it would have been much better for all concerned."</p> + +<p>And opening his book, he recommenced his reading.</p> + +<p>That afternoon all of us, except Mr. Enderton, assembled +on Mrs. Aleshine's piazza to witness the presentation +of the board money. The three sailors, who +had been informed of the nature of the proceedings, +stood in line on the second step of the piazza, clad in +their best toggery, and with their new tarpaulin hats +in their hands. Mrs. Aleshine went into the house, and +soon reappeared carrying the ginger-jar, which she +presented to Mr. Dusante. That gentleman took it, +and stood holding it for a moment as if he were about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +to speak; but even if he had intended to say anything, +he had no further opportunity, for Mrs. Lecks now +stepped forward and addressed him.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Dusante," said she, "from what I have seen of +you myself and heard tell of you from others, I believe +you are a man who tries to do his duty, as he sees it, +with a single heart and no turnin' from one side to the +other. You made up your mind that you'd travel +over the whole world, if it had to be done, with that +ginger-jar and the board money inside of it, till you'd +found the people who'd been livin' in your house; and +then that you'd give back that jar, jus' as you'd found +it, to the person who took upon herself the overseein' +of the reg'lar payin' of the money and the puttin' of +it therein. With that purpose in your mind you carried +that jar over the ocean; you wandered with it up +and down California; and holdin' it tight fast in your +arms, you slid down the slipperiest mountain that was +ever made yet, I believe, and if it had been your only +infant child, you couldn't have held it firmer, nor regarded +it more careful. Through ups and downs, and +thicks and smooths, you carried that jar or followed +it, and for the sake of doin' what you'd set your mind +on you came all the way to this place; to which, if it +hadn't been for that one idea, it isn't likely you'd +ever dreamed of comin'. Now, Mr. Dusante, we've +all agreed on what we think is the right thing to do, +and you agreed with us, but I can see by your face +that you're disapp'inted. The thing you set out to do +you haven't done; and I'm not goin' to have it to say +to myself that you was the only one of all of us that +wasn't satisfied, and that I was the stumblin'-block<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> +that stood in your way. So I'll back down from sayin' +that I'd never touch that jar again, and you can +put it into my hands, as you set out to do."</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante made no answer, but stepped forward, +and taking Mrs. Lecks's large brown and work-worn +hand, he respectfully touched it with his lips. It is not +probable that Mrs. Lecks's hand had ever before been +kissed. It is not probable that she had ever seen any +one kiss the hand of another. But the hard sense and +keen insight of that independent countrywoman made +her instantly aware of what was meant by that old-fashioned +act of courteous homage. Her tall form +grew more erect; she slightly bowed her head, and +received the salute with a quiet dignity which would +have become a duchess.</p> + +<p>This little scene touched us all, and Mrs. Aleshine +afterward informed me that for a moment she hadn't +a dry eye in her head.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante now handed the ginger-jar to Mrs. +Lecks, who immediately stepped toward Ruth and +Lucille.</p> + +<p>"You two young ones," she said, "can jus' take this +jar, an' your hands can be the first to lift off that paper +of fish-hooks and take out the money, which you +will then divide among our good friends, these sailormen."</p> + +<p>Ruth and Lucille immediately sat down on the floor +of the piazza, and the one emptied the board money +into the lap of the other, where it was speedily divided +into three equal portions, one of which was placed in +the hands of each mariner.</p> + +<p>The men stood motionless, each holding his money<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +in his open right hand, and then the red-bearded coxswain spoke.</p> + +<p>"It ain't for me, nor for Bill, nor for Jim nuther, to +say a word ag'in' what you all think is right and square. +We've stood by ye an' obeyed orders since we first +shipped on that island, an' we intend to do so straight +along. Don't we, Jim an' Bill?"</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp69" id="i_227" style="max-width: 31.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_227.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"HE RESPECTFULLY TOUCHED IT WITH HIS LIPS."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!" said Jim and Bill, in hearty hoarse +response.</p> + +<p>"There's some of ye, specially Mrs. Aleshine, +though meanin' no disrespec' to anybody else, that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +we'd follow to the crosstrees of the topgallantmast of +the tallest ship that ever floated in the middle of the +ragin'est typhoon that ever blowed. Wouldn't we, +Jim an' Bill?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!" sang out Jim and Bill.</p> + +<p>"But though we stand ready to obey orders," said +the coxswain, "we made up our minds, when we heard +what was goin' to be done, that we'd listen keerful fer +one thing, an' we have listened keerful, an' we haven't +heard that one thing, an' that thing was what we +should do with this money. An' not havin' heard it, +an' so bein' under no orders as to the spendin' of it, +we take the money, an' thank you kindly, one an' all. +Don't we, Jim an' Bill?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, sir!" said Jim and Bill.</p> + +<p>And into the pocket of each mariner clinked the +money.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dusante now took up the ginger-jar, and approached +Mrs. Lecks. "I hope, madam," he said, +"that as the subject of our little differences has now +been removed from this jar, you will consent to accept +it from me as a memento of the somewhat remarkable +experiences through which it has accompanied us."</p> + +<p>"Take it, sir?" said she. "To be sure I will. An' +very glad am I to get it. As long as I live it shall +stand on the mantelpiece in my parlor; an' when I die +it shall be left to my heirs, to be taken care of as long +as it holds together."</p> + +<p>Every reason for dissatisfaction having now been +banished from our little company, we all settled down +for a season of enjoyment. Even Mr. Enderton, who +had found on the top shelf of a closet in his room at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +the inn a lot of old books, appeared to be in a state +of perfect content. To the Dusantes a residence in +this absolutely rural portion of our Middle States in +the autumnal season was an entirely novel experience. +The crisp and invigorating air, the mists and +the glowing hues of the Indian-summer time, the softness +of the sunshine, and even those masses of limbs +and twigs which had already dropped their leaves and +spread themselves in a delicate network against the +clear blue sky, were all full of a novel beauty for these +people who had lived so long in tropical lands and +among perennial foliage, and had never known the +delights of an American country life out of season. +Having enjoyed Mrs. Lecks's hospitality for a suitable +period, they proposed to that sensible woman that she +should receive them as boarders until the winter +should set in; and to this practical proposition she +gave a ready assent, hoping that the really cold weather +would long defer its coming.</p> + +<p>Ruth and I established ourselves on the same terms +with Mrs. Aleshine. A prolonged holiday from the +labors of my business had been the object of my +attempted journey to Japan, and I could think of no +place where it would better please my young wife and +myself to rest for a time than here among these good +friends.</p> + +<p>A continual source of amusement to us were the +acts and doings of Mrs. Aleshine and her three sailormen. +These bold mariners had enlisted, soul and +body, into the service of the thrifty housewife; and as +it was impossible to do anything in connection with +the growing of the onions until the desired fields should<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +be acquired and the spring should open, many and +diverse were the labors at which the coxswain and +those two able-bodied seamen Bill and Jim set themselves, +or were set by Mrs. Aleshine.</p> + +<p>The brilliantly painted front door, which at first had +excited the good woman's ire, gradually came to command +her admiration; and when her sailormen had +done everything else that they could in the barns, the +fields, or at the woodpile, she gave them the privilege +to paint various portions of her property, leaving designs +and colors to their own taste and fancy. Whether +they milked the cows, cut the wood, or painted the sides +of the house, they always worked like good fellows, +and in nautical costume. They holystoned the front +deck, as they called the floor of the piazza, until it +seemed sacrilegious to set foot upon it; and when the +house and the pale-fence had been suitably painted, +they allowed their fancies lofty flights in the decoration +of the smaller outbuildings and various objects in the +grounds. One of the men had a pocket-chart of the +colors adopted by the different steamship companies +all over the world, and now smoke-houses, corn-cribs, +chicken-houses, and so on, down to pumps and hitching-posts, +were painted in great bands of blue and red +and white and black, arranged in alternating orders, until +an observer might have supposed that a commercial +navy had been sunk beneath Mrs. Aleshine's house +grounds, leaving nothing but its smoke-stacks visible.</p> + +<p>The greatest work of decoration, however, was reserved +by the red-bearded coxswain for himself, designed +by his own brain, and executed by his own hands.</p><p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp51" id="i_231" style="max-width: 30.25em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_231.png" alt=""> +<figcaption class="caption"><p>"THE GREATEST WORK OF DECORATION WAS RESERVED BY THE RED-BEARDED COXSWAIN FOR HIMSELF."</p></figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232"></span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span></p> + +<p>This was the tattooing of the barn. Around this +building, the sides of which were already of a color +sufficiently resembling a well-tanned human skin, the +coxswain painted, in blue spots resembling tattooing, +an immense cable passing several times about the +structure, a sea-serpent almost as long as the cable, +eight anchors, two ships under full sail, with a variety +of cannons and flags which filled up all the remaining +spaces. This great work was a long time in execution, +and before it was half finished its fame had spread +over the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>The decoration of her premises was greatly enjoyed +by Mrs. Aleshine. "It gives 'em somethin' to do," +said she, "till the onion season comes on; it makes 'em +happy; an' the leaves an' flowers bein' pretty nigh +gone, I like to see the place blossomin' out as if it was +a cold-weather garden."</p> + +<p>In the evenings, in the large kitchen, the sailormen +danced their hornpipes, and around the great fireplace +they spun long yarns of haps and mishaps on distant +seas. Mrs. Aleshine always, and the rest of us often, +sat by the fire and enjoyed these nautical recreations.</p> + +<p>"Havin' myself done housekeepin' in the torrid +zone," she once said, "a lot of the things they tell come +home to me quite nat'ral. An' I'd do anything in the +world to make 'em content to live on dry land like +common Christians, instead of cavortin' about on the +pitchin' ocean, runnin' into each other, an' springin' +leaks, with no likelihood of findin' a furnished island +at every p'int where their ship happened to go down."</p> + +<p>On one subject only did any trouble now come into +the mind of Mrs. Aleshine, and she once had a little +talk with me in regard to it.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span></p> + +<p>"I've been afeard from the very beginnin'," she +said, "an' after a while I more'n half believed it, that +Elizabeth Grootenheimer was settin' her cap at the +coxswain; so I just went to him an' I spoke to him +plain. 'This sort o' thing won't do at all,' says I; 'an' +although I haven't a doubt you see it for yourself, +I thought it my dooty to speak my mind about it. +There's plenty of young women in this township that +would make you sailormen fust-rate wives, an' glad +enough I'd be to see you all married an' settled an' +gone to farmin' right here amongst us; but Elizabeth +Grootenheimer won't do. Settin' aside everythin' +else, if there was to be any children, they might be +little coxswains, but they'd be Grootenheimers too, +stone-dumb Grootenheimers; an' I tell you plain that +this county can't stand no more Grootenheimers!' +To which he says, says he, 'I want you to understan', +ma'am, that if ever me or Jim or Bill makes up our +mind to set sail for any sort of a weddin' port, we +won't weigh anchor till we've got our clearance papers +from you.' By which he meant that he'd ask my advice +about courtin'. An' now my mind is easy, an' I +can look ahead with comfort to onion-time."</p> + +<p>I found it necessary to go to Philadelphia for a day +or two to attend to some business matters; and, the +evening before I started, the coxswain came to me and +asked a favor for himself and his mates.</p> + +<p>"It mayn't have passed out of your mind, sir," said +he, "that when me an' Jim an' Bill took that money +that you all give us, which wasn't 'zackly like prize-money, +because the rest of the crew, to put it that way, +didn't get any, we listened keerful to see if anything<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> +was said as to what we was to do with the money; an' +nothin' bein' said, we took it, and we wasn't long +makin' up our minds as to what we was goin' to do +with it. What we wanted to do was to put up some +sort of signal what couldn't get blowed away, or, +more like, a kind of reg'lar moniment as would make +them that looked at it remember the rough squalls and +the jolly larks we've gone through with together; an' +it was when we was talkin' about Mrs. Lecks bein' give' +the ginger-jar to put on her mantelpiece an' keep forever +that me an' Jim an' Bill we said, says we, that +Mrs. Aleshine should have a ginger-jar too, havin' as +much right to one as her mate, an' that that would be +the signal-flag or the moniment that we'd put up. +Now, sir, as you're goin' to town, we ask you to take +this money, which is the whole lot that was give' us, +an' have a ginger-jar built, jus' the size an' shape an' +gen'ral trim of that other one, but of no pottery-stuff, +for you kin buy 'em jus' like that, an' that ain't what we +want. We want her built of good oak, stout an' strong, +with live-oak knees inside to keep her stiff an' save her +from bein' stove in, in case of a collision. We want +her bottom coppered up above the water-line with real +silver, an' we want a turtle-back deck with a round +hatchway, with a tight-fittin' hatch, jus' like common +jars. We want her sides calked with oakum, an' well +scraped an' painted, so that with water inside of her +or outside of her she won't leak. An' on the bottom +of her, so they kin be seen if she keels over, we wants +the names of me an' Jim an' Bill, which we've wrote +on this piece of paper. An' on her sides, below the +water-line, on the silver copperin', we want the names<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> +of all the rest of you, an' the latitood an' longitood of +that island, an' anything out of the logs that might 'a' +been kep' by any of you, as might help to be remembered +the thing what happened. An' then, if there's +any room left on the copperin', an' any money lef' to +pay for 'em, you might have cut on as many anchors, +an' hearts, an' bits of cable, an' such like suitable things +as would fill up. An' that jar we're goin' to give to +Mrs. Aleshine to put on her mantelpiece, to stay there +as long as she lives, or anybody that belongs to her. +An', by George, sir!" he added behind his hand, although +there was nobody to hear, "if ever them two +jars run into each other, it won't be Mrs. Aleshine's that'll go +down!”</p> + +<p>I undertook this commission, and in due course of +time there came to the village the most astonishing +ginger-jar that was ever built, and which satisfied the +three mariners in every particular. When it was presented +to Mrs. Aleshine, her admiration of this work +of art, her delight in its ownership, and her gratitude +to the donors were alike boundless.</p> + +<p>"However could I have had the idee," said she +privately to me, "that any one of them noble sailormen +could have brought himself down to marry +Elizabeth Grootenheimer!"</p> + +<p>It was not long after this happy event that another +great joy came to Mrs. Aleshine. Her son returned +from Japan. He had heard of the loss of the steamer +in which his mother and Mrs. Lecks had set sail, and +was in great trouble of mind until he received a letter +from his mother which brought him speedily home. +He had no intention of settling in Meadowville,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +but it had been a long time since he had seen his +mother.</p> + +<p>He was a fine young man, handsome and well educated, +and we were all delighted with him; and in a +very short time he and Lucille Dusante, being the only +young bachelor and maiden of the company, became +so intimate and super-friendly that it was easy to see +that to Mrs. Aleshine might come the unexpected rapture +of eventually being the mother of Lucille.</p> + +<p>We stayed much later at Meadowville than we had +expected. Even after the little hills and vales had +been well covered with snow, sleighing and coasting +parties, led by the lively new-comer, offered attractions, +especially to Lucille, which bound us to the cheery +homes of Mrs. Lecks and Mrs. Aleshine. But, after +a time, the Dusantes considered it prudent to go to +Florida for the rest of the winter; Mr. Enderton had +long since read all the books on his closet shelf and +departed for New York; and Ruth and I determined +that we, too, must move eastward.</p> + +<p>But, before our little company separated, Mrs. Aleshine's +son and Lucille Dusante had settled it between +them that when the springtime came they would set +sail for a wedding port. This match was a highly +satisfactory one to all concerned, for Mr. Dusante +could scarcely have found a young brother-in-law who +would make his sister so happy, and who was, at the +same time, so well fitted by disposition and previous +occupation to assist in his increasing business cares.</p> + +<p>In the spring the Dusante family came North again, +and Lucille and her lover were married; and then all +of us, except Mr. Enderton, who had obtained a most<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> +congenial position as assistant librarian in a public +institution seldom visited, gathered at Meadowville +to spend a week or two together, after which Ruth +and I would repair to the New England town which +was to be our home, and the Dusante family, the +young husband included, would set out on a tour, +partly of business and partly of pleasure, through +Canada and the far Northwest.</p> + +<p>It was arranged that, whenever it should be possible, +Lucille and Mrs. Dusante should spend their summers +at Meadowville; and as this would also give her +much of the society of her son, the heart of Mrs. +Aleshine could ask no more.</p> + +<p>This visit to Meadowville was in the onion season; +and one morning Ruth and I sat upon a fence and +watched the three sailormen busily at work. The soil +looked so fine and smooth that one might almost have +supposed that it had been holystoned; and the three +nautical farmers, in their tight-waisted, loose-bottomed +trousers, their tarpaulin hats, and their wide-collared +shirts, were seated on the ground at different points, +engrossed in the absorbing task of setting out young +onions as onions had never been set out before. All +the careful attention to patient minutiæ which nautical +handiwork had taught them was now displayed in their +new vocation. In a portion of the field which had been +first planted the onions had sprouted, and we could see +evidences of astonishing designs. Here were anchors in +onions; hearts in onions; brigs, barks, and schooners +in onions; and more things pertaining to ships, the +heart's affections, and the raging main outlined in +onions than Ruth and I could give names to.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span></p> + +<p>"It seems to me," said I, "that there must have been +some sort of enchantment in that little island in the +Pacific, for in one way or another it has made us all +very happy."</p> + +<p>"That is true," answered Ruth, "and, do you know, +I believe the cause of a great part of that happiness +was the board money in the ginger-jar!"</p> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp100" id="i_239" style="max-width: 27em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/i_239.png" alt="Two pots"> +</figure> + +<hr class="chap"> + + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CASTING AWAY OF MRS. LECKS AND MRS. ALESHINE ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part +of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ +concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, +and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following +the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use +of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for +copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very +easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation +of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project +Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may +do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected +by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark +license, especially commercial redistribution. +</div> + +<div style='margin-top:1em; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE</div> +<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE</div> +<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full +Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at +www.gutenberg.org/license. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or +destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your +possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a +Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound +by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person +or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this +agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ +electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the +Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection +of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual +works in the collection are in the public domain in the United +States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the +United States and you are located in the United States, we do not +claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, +displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as +all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope +that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting +free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ +works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the +Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily +comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the +same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when +you share it without charge with others. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are +in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, +check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this +agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, +distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any +other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no +representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any +country other than the United States. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other +immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear +prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work +on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, +performed, viewed, copied or distributed: +</div> + +<blockquote> + <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> + This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most + other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions + whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms + of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online + at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you + are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws + of the country where you are located before using this eBook. + </div> +</blockquote> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is +derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not +contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the +copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in +the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are +redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply +either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or +obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ +trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any +additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms +will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works +posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the +beginning of this work. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg™ License. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including +any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access +to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format +other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official +version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website +(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense +to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means +of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain +Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the +full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +provided that: +</div> + +<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed + to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has + agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project + Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid + within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are + legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty + payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project + Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in + Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg + Literary Archive Foundation.” + </div> + + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ + License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all + copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue + all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ + works. + </div> + + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of + any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of + receipt of the work. + </div> + + <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> + • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. + </div> +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project +Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than +are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing +from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of +the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set +forth in Section 3 below. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project +Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ +electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may +contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate +or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or +other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or +cannot be read by your equipment. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium +with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you +with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in +lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person +or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second +opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If +the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing +without further opportunities to fix the problem. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO +OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of +damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement +violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the +agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or +limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or +unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the +remaining provisions. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in +accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the +production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ +electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, +including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of +the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this +or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or +additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any +Defect you cause. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of +computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It +exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations +from people in all walks of life. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future +generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see +Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by +U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, +Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up +to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website +and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread +public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND +DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state +visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To +donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate +</div> + +<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project +Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be +freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and +distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of +volunteer support. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in +the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not +necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper +edition. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Most people start at our website which has the main PG search +facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +</div> + +</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/35570-h/images/cover.jpg b/35570-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b75de2 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_000a.png b/35570-h/images/i_000a.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3c3d8fe --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_000a.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_000b.png b/35570-h/images/i_000b.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f76ff33 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_000b.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_000c.png b/35570-h/images/i_000c.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..775be56 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_000c.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_000d.png b/35570-h/images/i_000d.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a1ca3c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_000d.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_000e.png b/35570-h/images/i_000e.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..67f8d71 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_000e.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_001.png b/35570-h/images/i_001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c2b504 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_001.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_006.png b/35570-h/images/i_006.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cefc47b --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_006.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_011.png b/35570-h/images/i_011.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b94e432 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_011.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_015.png b/35570-h/images/i_015.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..af14310 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_015.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_023.png b/35570-h/images/i_023.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..070a525 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_023.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_024.png b/35570-h/images/i_024.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee2a391 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_024.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_027.png b/35570-h/images/i_027.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6ac769 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_027.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_031.png b/35570-h/images/i_031.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d231d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_031.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_038.png b/35570-h/images/i_038.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79c8b7a --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_038.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_039.png b/35570-h/images/i_039.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..554aee3 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_039.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_045.png b/35570-h/images/i_045.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..102d054 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_045.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_048.png b/35570-h/images/i_048.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e4a15d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_048.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_052.png b/35570-h/images/i_052.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b43de3 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_052.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_055.png b/35570-h/images/i_055.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cafefb1 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_055.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_061.png b/35570-h/images/i_061.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c4838f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_061.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_067.png b/35570-h/images/i_067.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6f26437 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_067.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_072.png b/35570-h/images/i_072.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbd91c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_072.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_073.png b/35570-h/images/i_073.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b189cb2 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_073.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_074.png b/35570-h/images/i_074.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a525ac1 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_074.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_083.png b/35570-h/images/i_083.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a82cd01 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_083.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_087.png b/35570-h/images/i_087.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9bb924e --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_087.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_091.png b/35570-h/images/i_091.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dcf0089 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_091.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_099.png b/35570-h/images/i_099.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..67f0d02 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_099.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_102.png b/35570-h/images/i_102.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5457718 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_102.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_105.png b/35570-h/images/i_105.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..08c5da8 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_105.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_111.png b/35570-h/images/i_111.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6de7ea9 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_111.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_114.png b/35570-h/images/i_114.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d98e355 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_114.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_115.png b/35570-h/images/i_115.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4824045 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_115.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_121.png b/35570-h/images/i_121.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..129f5da --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_121.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_123.png b/35570-h/images/i_123.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b9e0ff --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_123.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_129.png b/35570-h/images/i_129.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b2860f --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_129.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_135.png b/35570-h/images/i_135.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..73cf03a --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_135.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_141.png b/35570-h/images/i_141.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d9ff2ef --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_141.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_150a.png b/35570-h/images/i_150a.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ceac46 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_150a.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_150b.png b/35570-h/images/i_150b.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e0d3ce --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_150b.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_152.png b/35570-h/images/i_152.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c30b77d --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_152.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_153.png b/35570-h/images/i_153.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9749a32 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_153.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_163.png b/35570-h/images/i_163.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..00c323c --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_163.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_167.png b/35570-h/images/i_167.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..168c8ac --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_167.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_174.png b/35570-h/images/i_174.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b4da14 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_174.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_186.png b/35570-h/images/i_186.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb72f8e --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_186.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_191.png b/35570-h/images/i_191.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..854c140 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_191.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_196.png b/35570-h/images/i_196.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..85b09c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_196.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_197.png b/35570-h/images/i_197.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2cbb86 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_197.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_204.png b/35570-h/images/i_204.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..458d3f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_204.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_215.png b/35570-h/images/i_215.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9e66ee --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_215.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_218.png b/35570-h/images/i_218.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..03a06aa --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_218.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_227.png b/35570-h/images/i_227.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f167fc8 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_227.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_231.png b/35570-h/images/i_231.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..762bb03 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_231.png diff --git a/35570-h/images/i_239.png b/35570-h/images/i_239.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbf21b3 --- /dev/null +++ b/35570-h/images/i_239.png |
