In Search of an Unknown Race — page 224: what you’re looking at

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

210 VAN. ‘Her trying to run away is all the more suspicious then,” returned Captain Peterson, shortly, and seeing him so determined to find the offender guilty, neither Van nor the mate ventured further remarks. But the great squaresail, only used in running directly before the wind, availed the schooner but little against the tremendous speed of her pursuer. By three o’clock in the afternoon the breeze began to subside, and seeing that even without the studdingsails the Bellingham could overhaul the schooner, the flying kites were hauled down and stowed and the studding- sail booms rigged in. Mile by mile the distance lessened between the two vessels. The signal for heaving to was set at the ship’s masthead, but those in the schooner paid no attention whatever to it. This was in itself a most suggestive circumstance. ‘I’ve half a mind to do as they used to in old priva- teering days—run alongside, grapple with and board her?” growled Captain Peterson. For though he might heave his own ship to and lower a boat, the schooner of course could outsail the best efforts of the oarsmen, if the breeze only held. ‘‘ The wind is dying out fast, sir,” said the mate, glancing astern and then aloft, where the canvas was beginning to alternately ‘‘ lift” and distend. Mr. Mattox was right. Gradually the steady breath of the strong trades gave place to fitful puffs, which in turn died down till the heave and surge of the wind- tossed sea of the morning subsided into long, even, oily swells, faintly ruffled in spots by the breath of the ex- piring breeze. GComichooksrc