Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/115

Rh could see her with us again, it is as certain as we are talking together that she is no more. It is a horrible idea of yours besides. That our poor darling should have been left alone with those monsters on that vast continent, without a soul to speak to, and certain of a miserable death by starvation or at the hands of that loathsome foe, is a notion which if true would allow me not an hour's happiness for the rest of my days"

"I know," interrupted Gell, "that is just what makes me so miserable."

"But it is not true, William, your reason tells you it can't be true, and were it not that you are overwrought and brainsick I should be very angry with you for entertaining such a thought. Now listen to me. You must drop your work at once, and go for a cruise with Dana round the islands. I want to get a supply of useful plants, shrubs and vegetables of all sorts that the islands produce, to stock our farms and gardens. You are a bit of a botanist, here is a Flora of the Sandwich Islands, and I want you to bring me specimens of all those that I have marked, besides any others that you think will be of value. You must spend all your time in the open air, and take lots of