In a Latitude of Temperance (The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

be delighted to join our gracious host on this unexpected journey. Rather, yes, I should say so, my word.”
    “But Miss Plumtartt, I thought we were told... Ow! That quick little kick in the shin hurt! Okay, Ma’am. Um, yessir, I reckon we’ll be accompanying you to sunny Tierra del Fuego. I gotta new bathing suit for frolicking in the sun I wanted to try out!”
    The lobby crasher cringes away from Ickity at the horrific image of the Alabama Birminghamster in beach attire. He quickly regathers his cut-rate composure to continue.
    “These things are not on the agenda, Herr Teemperauntz. My associates prefer a nokturnal schedule.”
    “I say, do these associates suffer from a peculiar allergy toward Sol’s gentle radiations?”
    “Heh,heh, h-e-n-nhh, allergy? Oh! Yes! A sunlight allergy! Yes, Frauline Plumtartt, heh,heh,heh, … h-e-n-nhh, zaht eest eet exactly! Heh,heh, h-e-n-nhh.”
    “I see; well, I suppose that Mr. Temperance and I can adjust our schedules for we do wish to be accommodating. Speaking of accommodations, I am assuming that you have already made travel arrangements?”
    “Heh, heh, yes, Fraulein Plumtartt. A privately owned ship has been dispatched under my care to bring you to the project’s site. We shall be collecting more of my associates and members of the scienteefik team along the way. Heh,heh,heh, h-e-n-nhh.”
    “I say, this is all too wonderful for words, Mr.??? I am so sorry, you have the advantage, sir, for you know our names, and we remain reproachfully ignorant of yours.”
    “Heh,heh, h-e-n-nhh, of course, Madame. I am your humble host, if you will, until such time as we reach our destination.”
    “Mien name eest,
                              WrenneFeyldde.”
     
    ---

Chapter Three.
Cape São Roque
    “Hang on, Miss Plumtartt! These seas have gotten pretty rough, but this here is a mighty fine boat we’re sailing on, and that’s a fact. The combination of steam and sail have us traveling at an incredible speed. The large paddle wheels on either side of her black hull propel us at a thrilling pace. At times when we crest a wave, I feel as if we are gonna just keep on going and fly on up into the air. Did you catch this ship’s name when we boarded her, Miss Plumtartt?”
    “Indeed I did, Mr. Temperance,” I answer my cheerful companion. “We are borne along on our midnight voyage aboard the good ship ‘Stoker’ . It is an unusual craft in many ways, to be sure. Beyond her exceptionally strong construction, that appears to be able to withstand assault by cannon, and her unbelievable speeds, I am intrigued by her material of construct. She does not appear to be painted black, so much as she is built of black wood. And I am not sure if I have ever known a ship that was blown along her merry way by actual black sails. They have an unnerving hide-like quality. The ‘snap’ and ‘flap’ of their thick shrouds in the lonesome wind make me think we are flying on the black, leathery wings of some monstrous bat.”
    “Yes, Ma’am. I was trying to overlook it, but I have to agree that there is a disquieting attribute to the sails and the rest of the ship, too. Even the seamen that man her are not the normal jovial sailor I am accustomed to. These boys are a surly and morose bunch. And I can’t place their nationality nor language, neither. I think it is of an East European dialect, but I ain’t too sure.”
    My Alabama beau, as usual, is attempting to see the good in a bad situation; nevertheless, I can easily detect a tone of misgiving in his trusting nature.
    “When we set sail from Deazeezipitzo on Devil’s Island, we had plenty of wind to get us going. It was almost like the land was trying to hurry us along, blowing us away like she didn’t want us around. Perhaps even Devil’s Island is no safe port to this gloomy vessel. Mysteriously, though, at sun rise, our wind died off. I noticed the whole crew packed it up and disappeared until dusk.