"Bangs, John Kendrick - Houseboat on the Styx 02 - The Pursuit of the Houseboat" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bangs John Kendrick)

The Pursuit of the House-Boat
John Kendrick Bangs

CHAPTER I: THE ASSOCIATED SHADES TAKE ACTION
CHAPTER II: THE STRANGER UNRAVELS A MYSTERY AND REVEALS HIMSELF
CHAPTER III: THE SEARCH-PARTY IS ORGANIZED
CHAPTER IV: ON BOARD THE HOUSE-BOAT
CHAPTER V: A CONFERENCE ON DECK
CHAPTER VI: A CONFERENCE BELOW-STAIRS
CHAPTER VII: THE "GEHENNA" IS CHARTERED
CHAPTER VIII: ON BOARD THE "GEHENNA"
CHAPTER IX: CAPTAIN KIDD MEETS WITH AN OBSTACLE
CHAPTER X: A WARNING ACCEPTED
CHAPTER XI: MAROONED
CHAPTER XII: THE ESCAPE AND THE END



CHAPTER I: THE ASSOCIATED SHADES TAKE ACTION
The House-boat of the Associated Shades, formerly located upon the River Styx,
as the reader may possibly remember, had been torn from its moorings and
navigated out into unknown seas by that vengeful pirate Captain Kidd, aided and
abetted by some of the most ruffianly inhabitants of Hades. Like a thief in the
night had they come, and for no better reason than that the Captain had been
unanimously voted a shade too shady to associate with self-respecting spirits
had they made off with the happy floating club-house of their betters; and worst
of all, with them, by force of circumstances over which they had no control, had
sailed also the fair Queen Elizabeth, the spirited Xanthippe, and every other
strong-minded and beautiful woman of Erebean society, whereby the men thereof
were rendered desolate.
"I can't stand it!" cried Raleigh, desperately, as with his accustomed grace he
presided over a special meeting of the club, called on the bank of the inky
Stygian stream, at the point where the missing boat had been moored. "Think of
it, gentlemen, Elizabeth of England, Calpurnia of Rome, Ophelia of Denmark, and
every precious jewel in our social diadem gone, vanished completely; and with
whom? Kidd, of all men in the universe! Kidd, the pirate, the ruffian--"
"Don't take on so, my dear Sir Walter," said Socrates, cheerfully. "What's the
use of going into hysterics? You are not a woman, and should eschew that luxury.
Xanthippe is with them, and I'll warrant you that when that cherished spouse of
mine has recovered from the effects of the sea, say the third day out, Kidd and
his crew will be walking the plank, and voluntarily at that."
"But the House-boat itself," murmured Noah, sadly. "That was my delight. It
reminded me in some respects of the Ark."
"The law of compensation enters in there, my dear Commodore," retorted Socrates.
"For me, with Xanthippe abroad I do not need a club to go to; I can stay at home
and take my hemlock in peace and straight. Xanthippe always compelled me to
dilute it at the rate of one quart of water to the finger."
"Well, we didn't all marry Xanthippe," put in Caesar firmly, "therefore we are
not all satisfied with the situation. I, for one, quite agree with Sir Walter
that something must be done, and quickly. Are we to sit here and do nothing,