In Search of an Unknown Race — page 219: what you’re looking at

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

VAN. 205 But what could he do? If he wrote them of his won- derful deliverance, there was more or less danger that it might reach the ears of Flores, who would of course lose no time in escaping with his ill-gotten booty. To return by steamer was a long and expensive operation. So, after consultation with Captain Peterson, Van re- solved to let things remain as they were until the ship reached San Francisco. Then, he would leave the ship, return by rail, and confound his enemies and delight his friends after the most approved style. So the work of discharging the great ship went briskly on, and Van improved his time by seeing something of the Japanese kingdom. Soon the Bellingham was ready for sea again, and sailed for San Francisco. Now just before sailing, Captain Peterson had written to the American consul in Shanghai inquiring as to the schooner Viva. In reply the consul had advised him that a schooner of that name had arrived in ballast, and sailed again with a cargo of beche de mer, trepang, ed- ible birds’ nests, and other delicacies intended for con- sumption by the Chinese colony in San Francisco. So after leaving Japan, Captain Peterson got out his chart for a careful perusal. Having studied the probable course of the schooner after leaving Shanghai, he made certain calculations based on the relative difference of speed between the two vessels, and their respective sailing days. Then he shaped his course accordingly. ‘‘ Stranger things have happened, and it wouldn't sur- prise me very much if we ran across the Viva before we're half way to Frisco,” he said to Van. ‘‘Then we shall see whether Captain Brooks is mistaken or not.” Gomichooks (E(0) im