Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday alive," the doctor murmured. "But I'm iii^t so sure that an expedition of this kind would be safe for a young girl. There are wild beasts—savages to crjcounter " Arlene Chandos interrupted him. It was as if she wished to sidetrack tlie doctor from his protests, for some reasoji best known to herself—and per- ha[>8 to Ben Arnold. "Doctor," she said, "Bonnie tells me that she hasn't heard from her father for a long lime." Dr. Adams pursed his lips and looked anxious for a moment. " Ves." he muttered; "quite .sojrfe tune. It may be that some disaster has overtaken him." ■■ Your brother's expedition was not properly equipped," put in Ben Arnold. "My ship, tiie Lottie Carson, has every- thing. i>he is eiiginedrivon, but "is rigged for sails in case of an emergency ^a breakdown, for instance. .She carries niotor-boats, and in addition to these— an aeroplane. In fact, there is no hazard or contingency which may possiblv ai'ihe that I have not provided for." "Very thorough preparation, I should say," Dr. Adams declared emphuticallv. "And I'm sure both Bonnie and I are oisisiderahly indebted to you. It's mag- nificent of you to fit out this expedi- tion " "Not at all," said Arnold, with com- placency, hi.s dark eyes shifting for an instaiit towai-ds Arlene Chandos. "I regarded the professor as one of my ' dearest friends, and am willing to do everything in my power to help him. I am afraid, in view of the lack of news, thif he may need help." The door opened at that juncture and a butler appeared on the threshold. "Captain Drake," he announced f.jrmallo'. and at mention of the name Arnold glance<l round. "Oh, show him in," he said, and a moment later a young man of commanil- lag appearance entered the room. He v.-as something over six feet in height, clean of limb and superbly built His free stride and blue, far-seeing ey(>s were characteristic of the man whose trade is the sea. His bronzed face t.houjjh almost youthful in its lines and pleasing in its expression, possessed a certain manly ruggedne^s that told of hglidng qiuilitios. "Hallo. Captain Drake!" Arnold greeted him. "I'm glad you're here, for I can introduce you to the folks while we're all together. This is Dr. Anthonv Adams. This lady is Miss Chandos. And this is Miss Adams." Captain Harry Drake found himself taking the slim, delicate hand tliat Bonnie proffered to him. "Glad to meet you, Miss Afl.tms." he said, and though tile bridge of a ship was home to liim, the intonation of hi = fine, strong voice told of English birth. "How do you do. Captain Drake?" said Bonnie. "Mr. Arnold has been telling us all aiiout you. I understand vou know where Danger Island is " "Well. I think so. Miss Ad.ims," Harry Drake told her with a smile. "It's somewhat out of the track of ships, but I've sailed those waters manv a time." "We have a map here." Bonnie mentioned, indicating the globe. "Won't you show mc where the island is, and just how we get there?" BOY'S CINEMA "I'll be glad to," Harry answered, and. approaching the atlas with her, he began to turn it with his hands, at the same time tracing their intended course across the North and South At- lantic. "You see. Miss Adams," he ex- plained, "we -sail from here direct to the Azores, about eight hundred miles from the west coast of Portugal. We take on fuel and provisions there, then alter our course and run direct for the south. In two weeks from now we should be Hearing this point right here." Dr. Anthony Adams had joined Drake and Bonnie at the atla.s, and was look- ing over the captain's shoulder inter- estedly. Ben Arnold and Arlene Chan- dos did not attach themselves to the group, however. They took the oppor- tunity of drawing aside and convers- ing with each other in a low tone that Bonnie and her companions could nor hear. "Drake knows the exact location of the island." Ben Arnold said, with keen satisfaction. Arlene Chandos favoured him vrith a penetrating glance. ^^"Yes," she retorted significantly, "he knows too much. Take my advice and get rid of him." "Don't worry," Arnold told her with a sardonic smile. "I've had my mate. Bull Black, (rail him ever since he signed on. Once Drake shows me the island. Bull wili take command of the ship!" At Sea. THE Lottie Carson ploughed her way through the waters of the Soiitii K Atlantic, spray dancing from her bows, a trim, three-masted schooner bound for a remote and savage coast. On the after-deck Harry Drake ana Bonnie Adams were talking of tho voyage. "It hardly seems possible that we'vb been at sea two whole weeks.'' the girl declared. "How many days will it be before we reach the "island?" "You won't have much longer to wait. Miss Adams," Harry informed her. "A couple of days at the outside." Bonnie laid a hand on his arm and looked at him earnestlj'. "Captain Drake," she said, "you do believe we'll find my father,' don't you?" "I think he'll be on the beach wait- ing for you," the Englishman aiiswerc-d reassuringly, and he added, with a smile: "Any man would. Miss Adams." There was a good deal of bustle going on aboard the craft at this particular hour, anti further conversation between Harry and his fair companion was in- tcrrupteil by the strident and unmelo dious voice of a hefty young sailor who was hxing a rope. Harry and Bonnie could not see him, for the squat bulk of bridge and wheel- house concealed him from their view, but his cracked tones reached their ears as he gave hideous rendering of a sea- faring ballad: 'Oh, my nanie is Briiiey, on the briney deep; And you'll always find when the other swabs I was born me workin' are asleep!" Harry and Bonnie laughed, but there was a man, sour of temper, whose mood did not coincide with that of the cheer- ful Briney. That man was Bull lilack, mate of the Lottie Car.son. and Harry Drake's immediate subordinate. With a stiong, hrni puli, Ramage wrenched the anou Horn the old man's body. Koveniber 2Stti, 1931.