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

This boat was like a ghost ship during the day. It was kinda creepy it was so quiet. I don’t ever remember being so nervous during the daylight, but that’s how it was, Ma’am. This big ol’ boat was as silent and still as a graveyard statue. I figured we could have at least been motivated by paddle wheel, but these folks went and let their fires in the furnace and the water in the boilers go cold during the daylight hours, and then had to start up all over again once it got dark. Maybe these folks don’t like to work while it’s so hot.”
    “We certainly make up for lost time now, Mr. Temperance. The speed at which we travel is of a singularly fast pace. Did Mr. WrenneFeyldde say what our first scheduled stop would be?”
    “Yes, Ma’am. We are to stop in at Cape São Roque. That is the tippy point of South America that points upward towards Europe before the continent plunges down toward the South Pole.”
    “Do we have an errand to run at this pinnacle point?”
    “It is my understanding that we are to pick up more passengers to be a part of a very important get together of the world’s leading scientists, Ma’am.”
    “I see the crew sending signals to one another, and hear them barking orders in their guttural tongue.”
    “Yes, Ma’am. Looks like we are arriving at Cape São Roque. This is a shallow water port and will necessitate making it to shore in the ship’s longboat.”
    “Indeed, Mr. Temperance. Oh, I say, here is our host. Oh, yoo, hoo, Mr. WrenneFeyldde? I see that we have safely arrived at our first destination. Might Mr. Temperance and I accompany you to shore?”
    “Heh,heh, henh, you’re not going to make a run for it are you? Oops! I mean, we would not want you to be separated from our party, Fraulein Plumtartt.”
    “We left Deazeezipitzo in such a hurry, that I would really like to, eh, yes! I wish to ‘stretch my legs’, so to speak, as it were, if it is not too much trouble.”
    “H-e-e-e-e-nnnnnh... very well. You may accompany me to shore, but it will just be a brief stop. We are to collect a valued scientist and a colleague of mein.  H-e-e-e-ennnh.”
    “How delightful, Mr. WrenneFeyldde. Thank you, ever so much.”
    “H-e-e-e-e-nnnh.”
    I have tried to put aside my misgivings, but this entire operation strikes me cold. Mr. Temperance’s trusting nature is likely to draw us straight into danger if I am not ever wary. This ship, its crew, and this horrid WrenneFeyldde positively smack of evil. Their auras are suffused in a black menace. I am no ‘gullible goose’, and I mean to exercise every precaution possible.
    “Maybe you have changed your mind and wish to stay on the boat, Miss Plumtartt, hennh, yes?”
    “No Mr. WrenneFeyldde, I think that we are very happy to accompany you ashore, though the bay has suddenly become quite choppy at our arrival.”
    whirr, bzz, clink. “If you do not mind, I shall remain aboard and continue my maintenance. I have developed a nasty bit of corrosion in a very intimate and delicate locale. I prefer to stay on ship and see to this very personal bit of crevice cleaning.”
    “Oh, my, eh hem, yes, of course, Mr. Cogito, by all means, I say.”
    “Excuse me, Ma’am, but the crew has got the launch in position alongside the ship, Miss Plumtartt. I’ll scoot down into the dinghy so that I can assist you aboard her in these fast rolling swells.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Temperance. Perhaps you would assist Mr. WrenneFeyldde as well since he appears to be having difficulty in making the transition from ship to launch.”
    Once we are all aboard, a crew of four silent oarsmen pull us through the dark waters of Cape São Roque Bay. Mr. Temperance and I ride in the bow while Mr. WrenneFeyldde rides astern. As we are making landfall in the middle of the night, the docks are deserted. Mr. WrenneFeyldde steps aside to have a brief, private conversation with a representative of the port authority. I have a strong impression that our host has