DOI issue:
April 11, 1868
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16881#0173
r
166 PUNCH. OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [April 11, 1868.
breakfast. I will merely call upon you to observe that I have nothing
concealed in my sleeve, and l need hardly remark that, situated as
we are, I am in possession of no mechanical contrivances, no sort of
springs, or false bottoms.” ,
She bowed slightly, in token of acquiescence, and he proceeded.
I place this tiny pellet upon your work-table, which I see stands
sadly in need of repairing, and I hide it for one minute from your view
j bv the simple process of covering it with one of the three thimbles
with which you have kindly furnished me. Moving these rapidly from
left to right, and again from right to left, I pause for a moment to ask
you where, in your opinion, the little pellet of toast is at this moment
concealed.
She considered.
At length she replied, with evident hesitation, “ Under the centre
j one.”
He lifted up the thimble on the right side. Underneath it lay the
j pellet.
He tried the experiment several times, and invariably with the same
result, varied only by the situation of the toast-pellet in relation to her
guess.
“ I have taken this means, Miss Marcbmont,” he said, “ to show
you how difficult it is to pronounce with certainty upon the position of
even so small an object as a toast pellet within a narrowly limited cir-
cumference, and therefore, by parity of reasoning, how. magnified
becomes the difficulty, when its subject is the exact position of two
human units within the almost boundless circumference oft.be vast ocean.”
She sat gazing upon him with her large eyes open, in almost childlike
• reverence of a character so gradually revealed—so new to her. Then
she glanced downwards towards his feet. He interpreted her glance,
| and answered it.
“ They are sea-legs,” he said. “ I will make you a pair.”
Presently he came up from below with a beaming face. I have
discovered our exact position.” Grace looked at him inquiringly,
“ We are,” he said confidently, “ Here ! ”
It never occurred to her to doubt his assertion for one moment.
A week ago she would have resented his proffered opinion as an
impertinent outrage.
That day they ate the last of the toast, and drank the remainder of
the cold tea.
Towards evening Grace complained of an unsatisfied craving for
nutritious food. The flight of the Pangofflins was indeed a loss.
Nutt sat silent for a few minutes. Then he turned to her.
“ Will you play on the piano ? ” he asked.
“ I cannot sing the old songs,” she replied, “ but I will comply with
your request.”
While she struck the few remaining notes, he was busy fashioning a
pin into a hook-shape.
Then he dropped his line into the sea.
“ I have no bait,” he said, “ and your music is now our sole chance.
Play something catching.”
A tremendous splash and a heave, which, as appeared to her, nearly
capsized the frail tenement, caused her to leap from her music-stool m
consternation.
“ Ah ! ” she exclaimed in terror. “ He has fallen overboard ! ”
CHAPTER XIV.
“ TE CREDO, MEUS PUER ! ”
Pautus Bed/ordus, in the “ Adelphi."
What feeling at her heart was it that sent the life’s blood coursing
from her face, that forced her to lean against a chair for support ?
He was overboard.
Drowned, perhaps!
Neither.
“ Do not be afraid,” cried the voice of Nutt, reassuring her, “ it is
a terrific looking monster, but he will not hurt you.”
He had hooked and landed an enormous marine creature, which
writhed in grotesque twistings as it opened its jaws, and flapped its
fins and tails against the sides of the drawing-room.
“ Oh, take him away, he will spoil the furniture,” was the feminine
cry which rose to her lips; but she immediately checked herself, and
holding out her hand to Nutt, said smiling, “ Forgive me, I am very
foolish, I know.”
“ We are indeed fortunate in securing such a prize as this, Miss
Marchmont,” said Nutt, securing the creature from committing
further acts of violence, by holding one of his antennae, nipped tightly
in the forceps of the tongs. 11 It is the developed Shrimp of the
Antipodes, and is known in Southern waters as The Colleen Prawn.
Its fin is equal to the most savoury turtle, its flesh just over the ribs
nearly approaches in flavour the delicate Southdown, the brain has all
the qualities of the most plump partridge, while the “coral” which
comes away in clusters, far excels the plover’s eggs, and the tail is far
superior to the ordinary apple-tart, upon which so much store is set in
more northern climes. When stewed it distils from itself a delicious
liquor, scientifically known as Shandegaf. Its presence here shows we
are not far from land.”
He looked at her : her face was pale, and in another second she
would have fallen to the ground but for his support.
“ I have talked too much,” he said, kindly. “ You are hungry.”
So saying he at once proceeded to cut from his new acquisition a
piece of rich juicy meat. The fire was burning, (he had contrived to
keep it perpetually alight, as he had only a few matches, which he
knew could not be easily replaced), and placing the teapot upon it, he
had in a few minutes cooked sufficient to serve for their meal.
Then they sat down and ate heartily. It was like pork-chops.
After the dinner they drank from the thimbles a portion of the
Prawn’s Shandegaf, which indeed was hardly less strong than a liqueur.
Then they suffered from indigestion. But neither spoke of their
sufferings to the other. So they sailed on for three hours.
Grace was the first to arouse herself.
“ If we are so near land, would it not be possible to see it ? But,”
she immediately added, fancying that Nutt was hurt by the insinuation,
“ we have no telescope.”
Nutt, from whose face, all traces of the Boomerang native were fast
disappearing,* looked quickly round.
She watched bis movements eagerly. He seized the drawing-hearth
broomstick, which could be lengthened or shortened at will, and
wrenching off the brush end, pulled it out to its full length, and applied
it to his eye.
Grace was in ecstasies. It was indeed just like a telescope. He
then explained to her how a glass with water in it, possessed magnifying
properties, and one without water did not. The first, a tumbler half
filled with sea-water, he fixed on the larger end, the handle ; the other,
a wine-glass partially filled, he attached at right angles to the smaller
end where the brush had formerly been.
With this instrument he reconnoitred, for some time unsuccessfully.
At length a loud shout escaped him.
We cannot be far distant from the coast of Benicia,” he cried.
She clasped her hands in expectant agitation.
“ Through the large end I distinguish the shape of a buoy. On it
is some writing. They have only one of this sort to mark the ship line
off' the Benecia coast, and as I read it—” he began to spell “ B. E.—”
She waited in agony.
“ It is,” he cried. “ It is-”
The Benicia Buoy!
At that moment one of the fearful Atlantic waves, which had for the
past five hundred miles been collecting for one vast effort its gigantic
force suddenly-
* In fulfilment of the agreement between the Authors and Artists. Most honour-
able.—Editor.
Note.— The Authors rvho have undertaken the Piel Dornton part of the present
tale—that is as appears to them the really interesting and sensational portion—want
to know how long it is before they are to come on again. What the (bad word omitted
by Editor) do the public care about voyages and travels, and all that sort of tbiDg,
what they want is the backbone of the tale, the thrilling 'plot. The aforesaid
Authors further present their compliments to the Editor, and beg to state that if
their Piel Dornton, &c., Chapters in continuation do not appear in the next issue
of the periodical they will at once produce it in a separate form in another magazine
as The Blarney Stone, the principal character being Piel Dornton.
The Editor to the above —All right—yours shall api ear in next number. I’ve
read it—it’s excellent. 1 thinfc where you make-la.ll into the * * * * and
*"'*** hangs on to the * * * * * * ’ is admirable. In the meantime the
Editor does hope that the good feeling, forbearance, and gentlemanly tone of all
concerned will prevent any contretemps occurring just as the work is progressing so
very favourably.
(To be continued.)
SOMETHING MORE FROM OUR ARTIST.
To the (Editor of “ Chikkin Hazard.”
Dear Sir,
The drawing sent herewith requires some little explanations.
I have again, as you see, chosen a subject for illustration out of the
depths of my own consciousness. None of the incidents mentioned in
the MS. are pictorial; moreover, I did not receive the MS. in time ;
moreover, when I did receive it I could not make it out, on account 1
of the numerous erasions and corrections by different hands.
On the other hand it struck me that Grace and the Boomerang
must occasionally have found the time hang rather heavily on their
bands ; and I have tried to show how the Boomerang, being a man of
many parts and possessed of varied and delightful accomplishments,
was able to divert Grace’s mind from her peculiarlv painful position
(on the roof of the ark). Faithfully yours,
Gaston de Malalocil.
P.S. I have pat them in evening costume, to show that, in spite of
their forlorn position, they st.ill preserve their self-respect and cling to
the habits of good society. The bird is intended for a tame pangoffiin ;
the pangoffiin is a variety of the spoonbill, at least so my ornithologist |
tells me. It feeds on lettuce, mustard and cress, beetroot, &c., with
the usual dressing; the peculiar construction of its bill is, according
to my ornithologist, a splendid practical illustration of Mr. Darwin’s
well-known theories on the origin of species. n r M
166 PUNCH. OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [April 11, 1868.
breakfast. I will merely call upon you to observe that I have nothing
concealed in my sleeve, and l need hardly remark that, situated as
we are, I am in possession of no mechanical contrivances, no sort of
springs, or false bottoms.” ,
She bowed slightly, in token of acquiescence, and he proceeded.
I place this tiny pellet upon your work-table, which I see stands
sadly in need of repairing, and I hide it for one minute from your view
j bv the simple process of covering it with one of the three thimbles
with which you have kindly furnished me. Moving these rapidly from
left to right, and again from right to left, I pause for a moment to ask
you where, in your opinion, the little pellet of toast is at this moment
concealed.
She considered.
At length she replied, with evident hesitation, “ Under the centre
j one.”
He lifted up the thimble on the right side. Underneath it lay the
j pellet.
He tried the experiment several times, and invariably with the same
result, varied only by the situation of the toast-pellet in relation to her
guess.
“ I have taken this means, Miss Marcbmont,” he said, “ to show
you how difficult it is to pronounce with certainty upon the position of
even so small an object as a toast pellet within a narrowly limited cir-
cumference, and therefore, by parity of reasoning, how. magnified
becomes the difficulty, when its subject is the exact position of two
human units within the almost boundless circumference oft.be vast ocean.”
She sat gazing upon him with her large eyes open, in almost childlike
• reverence of a character so gradually revealed—so new to her. Then
she glanced downwards towards his feet. He interpreted her glance,
| and answered it.
“ They are sea-legs,” he said. “ I will make you a pair.”
Presently he came up from below with a beaming face. I have
discovered our exact position.” Grace looked at him inquiringly,
“ We are,” he said confidently, “ Here ! ”
It never occurred to her to doubt his assertion for one moment.
A week ago she would have resented his proffered opinion as an
impertinent outrage.
That day they ate the last of the toast, and drank the remainder of
the cold tea.
Towards evening Grace complained of an unsatisfied craving for
nutritious food. The flight of the Pangofflins was indeed a loss.
Nutt sat silent for a few minutes. Then he turned to her.
“ Will you play on the piano ? ” he asked.
“ I cannot sing the old songs,” she replied, “ but I will comply with
your request.”
While she struck the few remaining notes, he was busy fashioning a
pin into a hook-shape.
Then he dropped his line into the sea.
“ I have no bait,” he said, “ and your music is now our sole chance.
Play something catching.”
A tremendous splash and a heave, which, as appeared to her, nearly
capsized the frail tenement, caused her to leap from her music-stool m
consternation.
“ Ah ! ” she exclaimed in terror. “ He has fallen overboard ! ”
CHAPTER XIV.
“ TE CREDO, MEUS PUER ! ”
Pautus Bed/ordus, in the “ Adelphi."
What feeling at her heart was it that sent the life’s blood coursing
from her face, that forced her to lean against a chair for support ?
He was overboard.
Drowned, perhaps!
Neither.
“ Do not be afraid,” cried the voice of Nutt, reassuring her, “ it is
a terrific looking monster, but he will not hurt you.”
He had hooked and landed an enormous marine creature, which
writhed in grotesque twistings as it opened its jaws, and flapped its
fins and tails against the sides of the drawing-room.
“ Oh, take him away, he will spoil the furniture,” was the feminine
cry which rose to her lips; but she immediately checked herself, and
holding out her hand to Nutt, said smiling, “ Forgive me, I am very
foolish, I know.”
“ We are indeed fortunate in securing such a prize as this, Miss
Marchmont,” said Nutt, securing the creature from committing
further acts of violence, by holding one of his antennae, nipped tightly
in the forceps of the tongs. 11 It is the developed Shrimp of the
Antipodes, and is known in Southern waters as The Colleen Prawn.
Its fin is equal to the most savoury turtle, its flesh just over the ribs
nearly approaches in flavour the delicate Southdown, the brain has all
the qualities of the most plump partridge, while the “coral” which
comes away in clusters, far excels the plover’s eggs, and the tail is far
superior to the ordinary apple-tart, upon which so much store is set in
more northern climes. When stewed it distils from itself a delicious
liquor, scientifically known as Shandegaf. Its presence here shows we
are not far from land.”
He looked at her : her face was pale, and in another second she
would have fallen to the ground but for his support.
“ I have talked too much,” he said, kindly. “ You are hungry.”
So saying he at once proceeded to cut from his new acquisition a
piece of rich juicy meat. The fire was burning, (he had contrived to
keep it perpetually alight, as he had only a few matches, which he
knew could not be easily replaced), and placing the teapot upon it, he
had in a few minutes cooked sufficient to serve for their meal.
Then they sat down and ate heartily. It was like pork-chops.
After the dinner they drank from the thimbles a portion of the
Prawn’s Shandegaf, which indeed was hardly less strong than a liqueur.
Then they suffered from indigestion. But neither spoke of their
sufferings to the other. So they sailed on for three hours.
Grace was the first to arouse herself.
“ If we are so near land, would it not be possible to see it ? But,”
she immediately added, fancying that Nutt was hurt by the insinuation,
“ we have no telescope.”
Nutt, from whose face, all traces of the Boomerang native were fast
disappearing,* looked quickly round.
She watched bis movements eagerly. He seized the drawing-hearth
broomstick, which could be lengthened or shortened at will, and
wrenching off the brush end, pulled it out to its full length, and applied
it to his eye.
Grace was in ecstasies. It was indeed just like a telescope. He
then explained to her how a glass with water in it, possessed magnifying
properties, and one without water did not. The first, a tumbler half
filled with sea-water, he fixed on the larger end, the handle ; the other,
a wine-glass partially filled, he attached at right angles to the smaller
end where the brush had formerly been.
With this instrument he reconnoitred, for some time unsuccessfully.
At length a loud shout escaped him.
We cannot be far distant from the coast of Benicia,” he cried.
She clasped her hands in expectant agitation.
“ Through the large end I distinguish the shape of a buoy. On it
is some writing. They have only one of this sort to mark the ship line
off' the Benecia coast, and as I read it—” he began to spell “ B. E.—”
She waited in agony.
“ It is,” he cried. “ It is-”
The Benicia Buoy!
At that moment one of the fearful Atlantic waves, which had for the
past five hundred miles been collecting for one vast effort its gigantic
force suddenly-
* In fulfilment of the agreement between the Authors and Artists. Most honour-
able.—Editor.
Note.— The Authors rvho have undertaken the Piel Dornton part of the present
tale—that is as appears to them the really interesting and sensational portion—want
to know how long it is before they are to come on again. What the (bad word omitted
by Editor) do the public care about voyages and travels, and all that sort of tbiDg,
what they want is the backbone of the tale, the thrilling 'plot. The aforesaid
Authors further present their compliments to the Editor, and beg to state that if
their Piel Dornton, &c., Chapters in continuation do not appear in the next issue
of the periodical they will at once produce it in a separate form in another magazine
as The Blarney Stone, the principal character being Piel Dornton.
The Editor to the above —All right—yours shall api ear in next number. I’ve
read it—it’s excellent. 1 thinfc where you make-la.ll into the * * * * and
*"'*** hangs on to the * * * * * * ’ is admirable. In the meantime the
Editor does hope that the good feeling, forbearance, and gentlemanly tone of all
concerned will prevent any contretemps occurring just as the work is progressing so
very favourably.
(To be continued.)
SOMETHING MORE FROM OUR ARTIST.
To the (Editor of “ Chikkin Hazard.”
Dear Sir,
The drawing sent herewith requires some little explanations.
I have again, as you see, chosen a subject for illustration out of the
depths of my own consciousness. None of the incidents mentioned in
the MS. are pictorial; moreover, I did not receive the MS. in time ;
moreover, when I did receive it I could not make it out, on account 1
of the numerous erasions and corrections by different hands.
On the other hand it struck me that Grace and the Boomerang
must occasionally have found the time hang rather heavily on their
bands ; and I have tried to show how the Boomerang, being a man of
many parts and possessed of varied and delightful accomplishments,
was able to divert Grace’s mind from her peculiarlv painful position
(on the roof of the ark). Faithfully yours,
Gaston de Malalocil.
P.S. I have pat them in evening costume, to show that, in spite of
their forlorn position, they st.ill preserve their self-respect and cling to
the habits of good society. The bird is intended for a tame pangoffiin ;
the pangoffiin is a variety of the spoonbill, at least so my ornithologist |
tells me. It feeds on lettuce, mustard and cress, beetroot, &c., with
the usual dressing; the peculiar construction of its bill is, according
to my ornithologist, a splendid practical illustration of Mr. Darwin’s
well-known theories on the origin of species. n r M