Fred Fearnots New Ranch | Page 5

father was a rich New Orleans merchant whom Fred and Terry knew well by reputation, and, of course, the merchant and his family knew them in the same way Evelyn made their acquaintance before the vessel had actually passed through the Narrows. The two sisters fell in love with her at once. The elder sister was about twenty years of age and of exquisite Creole beauty. She was very much surprised when she found out that Evelyn could speak French as fluently as she could.
"Oh," said Evelyn, "I spent a most agreeable time in Paris once. My brother and Mr. Fearnot are both quite good linguists, Mr. Fearnot particularly. He can learn a foreign language more easily and rapidly than any one I ever knew. Brother can learn it easily, too; but not as much so as Mr. Fearnot."
Just as the steamer was passing out of the Narrows both Fred and Terry came up to where Evelyn was talking with the two French girls, and she introduced them to the boys.
Both the New Orleans girls looked at them as though somewhat surprised. "Why, Mr. Fearnot," said one of them, "I've heard a great deal about you, but you are much younger than I expected to find you."
"Oh, I'm a kid yet," he laughed, and Terry proceeded to amuse them with some funny stories.
The elder of the two Creoles remarked that she was very fond of the sea.
"Do you ever get seasick?" Terry asked.
"No; do you?"
"Yes, every time I get out on blue water I have to pay tribute to old King Neptune. I've done my best to make friends with him, but I always fail. He will have his joke with me."
"Ladies," remarked Fred, "if you want something to laugh at until you reach New Orleans just manage to see Olcott when he is seasick."
"Why, what is funny about it?"
"I can't tell you. He makes funny remarks and queer noises."
Evelyn laughed and said:
"Yes, he expresses opinions about old Father Neptune that I think he really ought to be ashamed of."
"Don't you get seasick?"
"Not unless the water is rough and the waves come rolling high, and then I have to retire to my stateroom for at least twenty-four hours; then I'm all right for the rest of the voyage, even if it extends all around the world."
As they were rounding Sandy Hook a great many of the passengers sought the seclusion of their staterooms and cabins, for the waves were rolling very actively.
Evelyn and the two Creole girls, whose name was Elon, remained on deck longer than any of the lady passengers on board.
By and by Evelyn and the younger of the two Elon sisters retired to their rooms.
The elder one laughed and said to Fred:
"Mr. Fearnot, we two seem to be on quite good terms with the old man of the sea."
"Yes," returned Fred. "When I made up my mind to go South by water I began to make preparations to remain on good terms with Father Neptune.
"Why, how in the world did you manage to do that?"
"Why, don't you know a remedy for seasickness, or a pallative, at least?"
"Why, no, indeed. What is it? I have never heard of any except lemons."
"Well, lemons are very good, and will be effective if you tackle them twenty-four hours or more before beginning the voyage. I have a bottle of acid phosphate in my room, and a teaspoonful in half a glass of water soon equips one in such a manner that he can resist the effects of the motion of the ship."
"Oh, my! will you give me a drink of it? I'm not at all seasick, but if the water gets any rougher I will be."
"Certainly," and Fred went to his room and soon returned with a glass with about two teaspoonfuls of acid phosphate in it. He went to the water cooler, filled the glass with cold water and presented it to the young lady.
"Drink about half of it," said he, "and in twenty or thirty minutes drink the other half."
She took the glass, tipped it up and drained every drop of its contents.
"By George," said he, "you took a good dose."
"Oh, I'm used to drinking phosphates; but never heard of it as an antidote for seasickness before. Have you had a drink of it?"
"Oh, yes; I've had two drinks since I left the wharf."
He took the glass to his room, and when he came out he tendered his arms to the girl and went promenading up and down the deck.
Her father went to her and asked her if she felt any seasickness.
"No, father," said she, "not the least bit. This gentleman is Mr. Fearnot, the famous athlete."
"Well, well, well! I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Fearnot. I heard of you several times when you were in New Orleans. What's