West Wind Drift

southern land before the strenuous, tireless efforts o

mployed in sowing and planting. The soil was rich. Farmers and grain-raisers among the passengers were unanimously of the opinion that almost any vegetable, cereal or fruit indigenous to Argentina (or at the worst, Patagonia), could b

h the temperature averaging between 35 deg. and 10 deg. above zero over a period of four or five months. At the time of the wreck, the thermometers were registering about 70 deg. during the day, and dropping to 50 deg. or thereabouts after nightfall. This would indicate that spring was

een turned, they sowed from the bins of the slumbering ship. Wheat and oats and flax, brought from the Argentina plains; potatoes, squash and beet-root; even beans and peas were tried, but with small hope. And there were wome

here was no eight-hour law in this smiling land, nor was there any other union save that of staunch endeavour, no other Brotherhood except that of Man.

ng and furnishing the huts. The new camp lay not more than a mile and a half from the basin. A road had been cleared through

offee and other commodities entrusted to the steamship company for delivery in the United States. Tobacco, canned and refrigerated meats, olives, flour, figs and dates in large quantities were included in the vast cargo, to say nothing of the enormous supply of canned fruits and vegetables. Washed wool, tanned leather, homespun cotton and woollen cl

nce. Her decks were torn up and the timbers hauled away to make floors in the huts; the doors, mirrors, stairways, windows, rails, carpets, pipes, bathtubs, toilets, lamps, every foot of woodwork from stem to stern, berth

uld be utilized in the construction of a small but sturdy ship, in which a chosen com

machinery, including dynamos, to the camp, where in course of time their skill and ingenuity

single bedchamber. A substantial fireplace, built of stone and mortar, with a tall chimney at the back, was a feature in every house. The cracks between the logs, and all chinks, were sealed with thick layers of mortar; the ceilings, made of stout saplings, were treated in a similar mann

prevent the occupant from subsequently enlarging and improving his house. For th

deride. He had one stormy "run-in," as he described it, with Mr. Landover and his group of satellites. This occurred about the middle of their first week on the island when practically every able-bodied man from the Doraine was at work cutting a way through the forest or in con

crying the brainless scheme to build a camp out there in the open. Their audience included several women, among them Mr

is group. He wasted no tim

emen, and up to date not one of you has turned to

tend to allow any such riff-raff as you to order me to-Oh, pray do not be alarmed, ladies! This rowd

me, Mr. Landover. As I was saying, it was understoo

ladies present? Haven't you

r reminding you in their presence that the boats are leaving for shore and that if you do not get off in the next r

that?" deman

hard glitter came to Percival's

, I'm going to have you thrown overboard and made to swim to your work. I regret exceedingly, ladies, that I have been obli

at hands in an agony of alarm. "Maybe you better go, Moses.

an Landover, explosively, but stopped short as P

look insulted, because by the looks of things they are your friends,-you've been sitting up here talking to the ladies, smoking cigars, and telling every one how successfully you conduct a bank in New York. Now, Mr. Landover, you're not an old man. If

own here on a lonely island. You know how to build and conduct banks, I know how to build and conduct camps. We have no use for scientific bankers here, but we have considerable use for experienced camp builders. I have been put in charge of this work. I'm going to see it through. Up in the h

ery man, woman and child has got to do something. Just at present there isn't much that the women and children can do, but there is work for every man who can stand on his feet. You needn't glare at me. I'm not afraid of you, Mr. Landover. You say you are going to stay on this ship. Well, I've come here to tell you that you are not going to do anything of the sort. The women and children are to remain on board until we've got houses built for them o

aning against the rail a few yards distant, their backs to him. Olga Obosky and Careni-Amori were regarding him with shining, approving eyes, while Mrs. Block

ined the two ladies at the rail. He spoke a few words to them in a lowered tone,

il they disappeared around a corner. Down in his heart he hoped that

-eight. His cleanshaven face was firm, aggressive, domineering. There was not a trace of grey in his dark hair. He typified strength, m

y the lofty conduct of the Money King, "you know you can't do this sort of thing. We won't st

al on board this Ark. I see a couple of boats returning from shore. You've got about fifteen minutes to shed that Stein & Bloch suit and jump into something that wil

ay when Nicklesti

red in some agitation. "We are gentlemen. We got a right

rers you will come in contact with, Mr. Nicklestick, I would suggest a careful study of the first cabin list, the second cabin list, and finally the third cabin list, if you can find such a thing.

iping his brow. "Vat-vat

Percival, an

s. The great soprano was profoundly agitated. Obosky, a pace or two behind her, was tense and silent. Her head was

. "He is a great man. He is a millionaire. He owns part of this steamshi

oot high, Madame Careni

ar him, Obosky? He me

y, drawing alongside of Percival. "

do you

of victory? You may lose

a moment; then, in a flash, the mean

he returned, his jaw set

lways go to the vict

ece," said he, smiling as

inue to do so, who knows? Alas for you, my friend, you may yet have to turn to me for c

ho was behind them, shrieking a comm

think of you, Madame Obosky." Then he grinned. "Good

ould not tell you about zat Crown Prince until we have been married a year or two, so do not look so pleased! In a year you would be hating me so much zat you would rejoice to hear about the Crown Prince, and I would be loathing you so much zat I would probably have to kill you,-because I do not believe in divorce any more than I believe in marriage. You see? Most women hate their husbands. They never hate their lovers. It is so difficult to get rid of the one, and so easy to keep the other,-zat is the explanation. So

onest-eyed, pure-hearted Ruth with this sensual scoffer. There was no denying the physical appeal of the lithe, sinuous Russian; there was n

adore. It was impossible, utterly impossible that they should have possessed the instincts of this woman beside him. But even as the thought raced through his mind he

what I think of you?" he i

f you are not careful. I am your friend. Be warned in time, Mr. Percivail. She is sorry for him. Landover. You have humiliated him before all of us. He is the friend of her family. Go slow, my friend, or she will turn against you and you will lose her. You have still a

ame Obosky," he exclaimed, frankly pu

ged her s

and very, oh, so very wise, Mr. Percivail,

straight to Ca

anything drastic without consulting you. If you say I'm to let him off, that's the end of it so far as I'm concerned. Of cou

ith anxiety, rested for a few seconds on the three boats

the owners of this ste

ndersta

am dismissed from the service if I continue to suppor

sir. A

gnation as master of this ve

ried Perciva

ly up to her pier in New York," said the

cried P

aint that you have threatened to throw

way. I mentioned

f us. You will proceed to throw him overboard, Pe

lped, and t

ers,

der

d away, but the Capt

o after you have had him

ou don't suppose I'd let him drown, do you? And, God knows, nobody else would save it.