In Search of an Unknown Race — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

VAN. 217 Just before eight bells Mr. Murray went forward to see that the ship's lights were burning brightly and the lookout attentive to his duty, leaving Van on the quarter. The young fellow looked quickly about him. The sea was of glassy smoothness, nota breath of air stirred, and the darkness was intense. Far away through the gloom shone a tiny pin point of dull flame which he knew must be the schooner’s binnacle light. The man at the wheel had nothing to do but hold one of the spokes in his hand, for the ship was not under steerage way. Beckoning him to the quarter, Van pointed to one of the falls of the gig, and at the same time cast the other from the cleat. , ‘‘ Lower away softly, Bob,” he said, in a whisper; ‘‘I’m going on a bit of a reconnaisance.” It is not likely that the sailor knew the meaning of the word thus used. But was not Mr. Briscoe Captain Peterson’s adopted son, and as such to be obeyed with- out questioning? Of course the captain and Mr. Mur- ray the second mate approved of Van’s intention—and so Bob, not without some little show of hesitation, obeyed. Hardly had the boat touched the water before Van had descended the fall, unhooked and pushed away from the side. His idea was simply to get as near the Rattler as possible, or even alongside, and if he saw no signs of any particular show of precaution to return quickly to the ship, and try and get Captain Peterson’s consent to the plan he had proposed to Mr. Murray. It was a reckless, harebrained undertaking, anddown in his secret soul Van knew he was doing wrong in EOmMicdoo ‘S (E(e) im