The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adrift on the Pacific, by Edward S. Ellis

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Title: Adrift on the Pacific

Author: Edward S. Ellis

Release Date: August 11, 2009 [EBook #29667]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC

A Boys Story of the Sea and its Perils

By EDWARD S. ELLIS

Author of

"The Young Pioneers," "Fighting to Win," "Adrift in the Wilds,"
"The Boy Patriot," Etc.

A. L. BURT COMPANY; PUBLISHERS

NEW YORK

Copyright, 1911

By A. L. BURT COMPANY

Adrift on the Pacific

ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC

CHAPTER I

CAPTAIN STRATHMORE'S PASSENGER

A few hours before the sailing of the steamer _Polynesia_, from San
Francisco to Japan, and while Captain Strathmore stood on deck
watching the bustle and hurry, he was approached by a nervous,
well-dressed gentleman, who was leading a little girl by the hand.

"I wish you to take a passenger to Tokio for me, Captain Strathmore,"
said the stranger.

The honest, bluff old captain, although tender of the feelings of
others, never forgot the dignity and respect due to his position, and,
looking sternly at the stranger, said:

"You should know, sir, that it is the purser and not the captain whom
you should see."

"I have seen him, and cannot make a satisfactory arrangement."

"And that is no reason, sir, why you should approach me."

The captain was about moving away, when the stranger placed his hand
on his arm, and said, in a hurried, anxious voice:

"It is not I who wish to go--it is this little girl. It is a case of
life and death; she must go! You, as captain, can take her in your own
cabin, and no one will be inconvenienced."

For the first time Captain Strathmore looked down at the little girl,
who was staring around her with the wondering curiosity of childhood.

She was apparently about six years of age, and the picture of
infantile innocence and loveliness. She was dressed with good taste,
her little feet being incased in Cinderella-like slippers, while the
pretty stock