PICKED UP ADRIFT By Prof. James De Mille, Author Of “The B. O. W. C.,” “The Boys Of Grand Pré School,” “Lost In The Fog,” “Fire In The Woods,” “The Treasure Of The Seas,” “Among The Brigands,” “The Seven Hills,” Etc. Illustrated Boston: Lee And Shepard, Publishers 1872. [Illustration: 0006] [Illustration: 0007] TO BE COMPLETED IN SIX VOLS. 1. The “B. O. W. C.” 2. The Boys Of Grand Pré School. 3. Lost In The Fog. 4. Fire In The Woods. 5. Picked Up Adrift. (Others in preparation.) PICKED UP ADRIFT. I. _The enterprising Voyageurs.--A Parliament--Where shall we go next?--The Islands of the Sea.--Captain Corbet’s Confession.--Once more, upon the Waters.--The lonely Isle.--The strange Schooner.--Ashore.--A new Acquaintance.--A Disciple of Progress.--Railroads and Telegraphs for the Magdalen Islands._ THE Antelope had traversed all the waters of the Baie de Chaleur, and the enterprising voyageurs on board had met with many adventures by sea and land; and at length all these were exhausted, and, as the time drew near for their departure, the question arose where next to go, which question was discussed in full council assembled upon the deck; present Bruce, Arthur, Bart, Tom, Phil, Pat, Captain Corbet, Wade, and Solomon, Bruce being in the chair--that is to say, on the taffrail. “All you that are in favor of going home, say ‘Ay’,” said Bruce. There was a dead silence. Not one spoke. “That’s not the way to go about it,” said Bart. “It isn’t parliamentary. Let’s do business regularly. Come. I rise, Mr. President, to make a motion. I move that the B. O. W. C. continue their wanderings as long as the holidays last.” “I second that motion,” cried Phil. “Gentlemen,” said Bruce, “it has been moved and seconded that the B. O. W. C. continue their wanderings as long as the holidays last. All that are in favor of this motion will please manifest it by saying, ‘Ay.’” At this there was a universal chorus of “Ay.” “Contrary minds, ‘No.’” Silence followed. “It’s a vote,” said Bruce; “and now all that remains to do is to decide upon the direction to be taken.” Upon this Captain Corbet smiled benignly, and a glance of approval beamed from his venerable eye. Old Solomon grinned violently, but checked himself in a moment; his grin was drowned in a low chuckle, and he exclaimed, “De sakes now, chil’en alive, how you do go on! Mos’ make dis ole nigga bust hisself to see dese yer mynouvrins.”. “Look here, boys,” cried Bart, suddenly dropping altogether the “parliamentary” style in which he had last spoken; “what do you say to a cruise around the gulf? Let’s visit the islands; there are ever so many; some of them are uninhabited, too. It’ll be glorious!” “Glorious--will it?” cried Tom. “Wait, my boy, till you know as much about uninhabited islands as I do. You don’t catch me putting my foot ashore on anything of that sort.” “O, well, we needn’t be particular about the inhabitants,” said Arthur. “I go in for islands, head over heels.”