Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

10 OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. It was Captain Leyard’s turn to speak coaxingly and meekly. What if he had lost this wonderful chance to ex- tricate himself from his troubles?” ‘< Will you be good enough to give me a clear satement of what you require? I promise not to interrupt you again,” he said. Me 1 The stranger condescended to resume his seat. ‘Bring me your charts of the N. and 8. Atlantic,” said he. ‘‘ I want to see the course you expect to make.” The skipper opened his chart--box, and spread out the de- sired maps upon the table. - The courses of previous voyages were marked out upon it in pencil. The unknown visitor followed them with in- terest. Presently he put his finger upon a little island below the equator, a tiny speck in the great space around it. “See!” said he, ‘‘that little island of Trinidad. Do you know anything about it?” ‘“Not much. Iwas never there, though, on the home- ward voyage, I almost always make it out. It is only a few miles of land, and uninhabited.” _ ** Exactly. I suppose if you were a whaler you would know more about it. I am told its water is remarkably pure, and that the whaling ships take pains to fill up their barrels there, and make frequent visits to the tiny oasis. It is in a tropic climate, so there can be no suffering from the inclemency of the weather. Besides, an old sailor told me he helped to build a comfortable little hut, and planted such of our vegetables as would thrive. It is a most eligible site. ' Captain Leyard, your passenger is booked for ‘Trinidad. The captain opened his eyes, but had grown wise enough to bridle his tongue. ‘Well, sir, of course that person is willing,” was all he said, ‘“My dear captain, I oneht I had made you understand comicbooks