A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder

ira Islands. This yacht Falcon was the property of Lord Featherstone, who, being weary of life in England, had taken a few congenial friends for a winter

d fell at the impulse of the long ocean undulations, and the creaking of the spars sounded out a lazy accompaniment to the motion of the vessel.

e friend of Featherstone, and Dr. Congreve, who had come in the double capacity of friend and medical attendant. These two, like the crew, were in a state of dull and languid repose. Suspended between the two masts, in an Indian hammock, lay Featherstone, with a cigar in his mouth and a novel

ellah I ever saw. By Jove! you're the only

id Melick, in a b

ove!" said Feather

ta," said Melick. "Anythin

gher in his hammock, "that's not a bad idea. A wegatta! By

by a regatta?" ask

these paper boats. We ca

upright, with his legs da

know, Melick, old chap, I think that's a wegular piece of

n't any wind,

's the fun of it. For you see if there was a wind we should be going on ourselves, and the regatta couldn't come off;

t? But how ca

r anything-a bubble'll do, or w

o, eager to take advantage of the new excitement, soon joined him. By this time Melick had finished his paper

ose. But first let us see if there is anything that can be taken as a point of arrival. If

followed by the others, and all lo

speck out there

atherstone. "That'll d

said Melick. "Probably

the doctor; "it's only a round s

lick. "It's one end of it,

ty of some spar, the rest of which was under water. Whatever it was, however, it served well enough for their present purpose,

ly still, and there was no perceptible wind, but there were draughts of air caused by the rise and fall of the yacht, and these affected the tiny boats. Gradually they drew apart, the green one

Featherstone, betting on the

lick, promptly

bet, which was taken b

ty other things which need not be mentioned. All took part in this; the excitement rose high and the betting went on merrily. At length it was noticed that the white was overhauling the red.

e race. On coming near they found the paper boats stuck together, saturated with water, and floating limp on the surface. An animated discussion arose about this. Some of the bets were off, but others

denly. "Pull up, lads, a little; let's see w

erest, were attracted by these words, and looked closely at

of floating vess

" said Melick, wh

A second time he grasped at it, and with both hands. This time he caught it, and then lifted it out of the water into the boat. These proceedings had been

n of preserved meat

k, "for it's made of metal; but as

ghteen inches long and eight wide. The nature of the metal was not easily perceptible, for it was coated with slime, and covered over about half

. "Perhaps something good-game, I dare say-yes, Yor

igh by this time. Man alive! look at those weeds

isions laid in by Noah for his long voyage in the ark. So come,

liquor," sa

shook h

t isn't liquor. It's odd, too. The thing is of foreign make, ev

this is getting exciting. Let's

wed back t

octor. "I'm certain of that. It has come

e and bequeath to you all my right, title, and interest in

Melick, "are never

octor, "they make up pretty large package

linders," said Melick, who had been using his

aimed Oxenden.

selves," said

the knife had cut into the vessel, t

e tin cans for everything. It may be something that'

y contain the mangled remains of one

e produced a knife which was used to open sardine boxes, but after a faithful trial this proved useless. At length Melick, who had gone off in search of something more effec

see?" asked

elick, "but I can't

t out, then shake it

. This served to loosen the contents, which seemed tightly packed, but came gradually down until at length they could be seen a

ld at once have revealed itself, but these packages suggested something more important. What could they be? Were

f some coarse kind of felt, bound tight with strong cords. The other was much smaller, and,

"Let's make a bet on it. Five guin

said O

t looked like paper. It was not paper, however, but some vegetable product which was used for the same purpose. The surface was smo

Melick. "Why,

s, all covered with writing-one in English, another in French, and a third in German. It was the same message, written in these three di

as fo

finder

rrents may bear it within the reach of civilized man. Oh, unknown friend! whoever you are. I entreat you to let this message be made known in some way to my father, Henry More, Keswick, Cumberland, England, so that he may l

M MO

e read the above, "this is really g

he manuscript," said Oxenden,

better than meat," said t

the wrapper. He saw a great collection of leaves, just like those of the le

s," said the doctor. "That was

"Let's have the contents of the manuscript. You, Melick, read; you're the mos

ke a month to read a

his calm will probably last a month, an

was as excited as the rest, and so he