Part 19 (1/2)
”Tom--Tom Swift--here?” ejaculated theinventor--of Shopton--don't you know--the lad who saved Mary's life in the runaway--Tom Swift!”
”Tom Swift!” murmured Mr Nestor ”Is it possible!”
”I'ht,” answered the owner of that naet on this island, Mr Nestor?”
”I , Toe to the West Indies, as guests of Mr George Hosbrook, recked in the awful gale We took to the boats and ed to reach this island The yacht sunk, and we only had a little food We are almost starved! But how came you here?”
”Mr Fenwick's airshi+p recked, and we dropped down here What a coincidence! To think that I shouldin the world that we h our airshi+p recked, we have a large supply of food Coive you all you want!”
To hands with Mary's parents, so unexpectedly met with, when Mr Nestor called out:
”Come over here, Mr Hosbrook I want you to meet a friend of mine”
A moment later, thehands with Tom
”I can't understand it,” Mr Hosbrook said ”To think ofother people on this desolate island--this island of earthquakes”
”Oh, please don't speak of earthquakes!” cried Mrs Nestor ”We are in mortal terror! There have been several since we landed in the most terrible storular earthquake island!”
”That's what I call it,” spoke Toees now came up Besides Mr
and Mrs Nestor, and Mr Hosbrook, there was Mr and Mrs Floyd Anderson, friends of the millionaire; Mr Ralph Parker, as spoken of as a scientist, Mr Barcoe Jenks, who see about suspiciously, Captain Mentor, who had been in command of the yacht, and Jake Fordam, the mate of the vessel
”And are these all ere saved?” asked Tom, as he introduced his two friends, and told briefly of their air voyage
”No,” answered Mr Hosbrook, ”two other boatloads, one containing uests, got away before our boat left I trust they have been rescued, but we have heard nothing about the be safe, if these earthquakes continue”
”But did I understand you to say, Mr Swift, that you had food?” he went on ”If you have, I will gladly pay you any price for some, especially for these two ladies, who must be faint I have lost all my ready cash, but if we ever reach civilization, I will--”
”Don't speak of such a thing as pay,” interrupted Mr Fenwick ”All that we have we'll gladly share with you Coh for all, and we can cook on our gasolene stove Don't speak of pay, I beg of you”
”Ah--er, if Mr Hosbrook has no money, perhaps I can offer an equivalent,” broke in the man who had been introduced as Barcoe Jenks ”I have--er--some securities--” He stopped and looked about indefinitely, as though he did not know exactly what to say, and he was fuht contain treasure
”Don't speak of reilance at Mr Jenks ”You are welcome to whatever we have”
”Bless erly
”Well, I--er--I only spoke of it,” said Mr Jenks, hesitatingly, and then he turned away Mr Hosbrook looked sharply at hio to our caood meal, before another earthquake comes”
”I wonder what makes so many of them?” asked Mrs Nestor, with a nervous shi+ver
”Yes, indeed, they are terrifying! One never knohen to expect them,” added Mrs Anderson
”I have a theory about them,” said Mr Parker, the scientist, who, up to this time had spoken but little