We'd struck this lava island, and were gradually
succumbing to its intense heat. We rushed madly back to the harbor to
embark; and our ship, gentlemen, and your House-boat, was slowly but
surely disappearing over the horizon, and flying from the flag-staff at
the fore were signals of farewell, with an unfeeling P.S. below to this
effect: '_Don't wait up for us. We may not be back until late._'"
There was a pause, during which Socrates laughed quietly to himself, while
Abeuchapeta and the one-sided Morgan wept silently.
"That, gentlemen of the Associated Shades, is all I know of the
whereabouts of the House-boat," continued Captain Kidd. "I have no doubt
that the ladies practised a deception, to our discomfiture, and I must say
that I think it was exceedingly clever--granting that it was desirable to
be rid of us, which I don't, for we meant well by them, and they would
have enjoyed themselves."
"But," cried Hamlet, "may they not now be in peril? They cannot navigate
that ship."
"They got her out of the harbor all right," said Kidd. "And I judged from
the figure at the helm that Mrs. Noah had taken charge. What kind of a
seaman she is I don't know."
"Almighty bad," ejaculated Shem, turning pale. "It was she who ran us
ashore on Ararat."
"Well, wasn't that what you wanted?" queried Munchausen.
"What we wanted!" cried Shem.
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