Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-13

phasis that he didn't put the log there. when cry of
fright went up from the native in the bow
ooh, Masterson Sahb! This ship is going to sink.
Behold the water rushing in upon feet"
Sink! Nonsense retorted Masterson scrambling
forward "If you idiots had kept sharper lookout
should not have struck that log!"
Then he stepped into three inches of water cursory
inspection disclosed gaping rent in the bow through
which a current pouring freely.
There seems to be trifing leak here, he called
back not wishing to alarm the Others. Il think we'd
better into the shore and investigate Just turn her
head to the bank, Holmes, he instructed.
Holmes put the bow of the launch over while Master
endeavored to stem the thrush of water. They had
swung to the west side at the turn, and quickly
drew in toward the line of jungle, rising higher and
denser they approached its deceptive shadow Sud
denly the bank caved in ahead and they shot into
nulah, creek, overhung with vegetation that
seemed completely dark in comparison to the river
flooded with moonlight. Masterson had barely shouted
warning to Holmes to reduce speed, when the launch
plunged her nose into the mud and stopped with
jerk almost as nerve stralnng as when they struck
the log.
Really, Jack protested Miss Cumnock, "you seem
determined to bring us to destruction. What in the
world is the matter with you? You haven't spoken
word since started, and you've done nothing but
glare and look out of humor India seems to have made
you positively horrid!"
"Oh hang ALL" Holmes fairly broke loose "you never
gave chance to say anything, and how could be
supposed know the navigation of this rotten old rver?
Against him Ksmet surely was fighting, people say
MASTERSON, who foresaw dismal failure advancing
A'A upon his benevolent plan, to the with
endeavor to make light of the situation. "Wel he
laughed, "of this isn't the Botanical Gardens
but there might be substitute We all snug
and comfortable here it seems, and damage has been
done to the tifn basket That is extremely important
because am afraid shall have to remain here hour
think it will be BEST he added ito send my
servants off to hunt up the nearest telegraph line with
Calcutta message for another launch. don't like to
risk attempting to crawl back with that hole in the
bow. Besides, she's stuck fast. l can't move her."
With eyes growing in tune to the change of light they
were able to discern their position clearly The
launch had struck the mud several feet from the Shore
hidden in of tangled underground. Overhead
the spreading branches of tree shut the sky and
swept the creek others sprngng from the
opposite bank. A stout limb had barely missed the
launchs awning, and hung above the stern left free of
the mud in deeper water. 1t rather a weird un-
though in contradiction to his real feelings, Masterson
insisted upon its romantic elements. There had been
commotion of monkeys and parrots the treetops
at the aunchs ntruson but that had died away, and
there sound but human voices, which natu-
rally fell into Subdued accents.
Some difficulty encountered in persuading the
native go upon their errand but with them
1t generally question OF prce tor attempting any real
imaginary danger. When this settled, they
swung up the of the above the launch stern
and crawled into the jungle blackness
MaSerSOn then made brave effort to cheer things up
with the contents of the tfin basket and CHASTITY at
tempt to be humorous. For collector of dry statistics
the latter course was almost OF necessity fatal Mrs
Cumnock was plainly nervous and not in a condition to
laugh jest had been of the first vintage. Neither
Miss Cumnock Holmes seemed to possess appe-
te and by their attitude toward each other impressed
MaSterson with the idea that somehow he had unn-
tenonay caused actual breach where before there
might have been nothing serious than misunder-
standing.
had dined the previous night with the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court; moreover, the Chowringhee
Club imported cigars were positive Joy after