CHAPTER I. Out to Sea

In 1888 young Lord Greystoke and his bride of three months sailed from Dover on their way to Africa. He had been commissioned to investigate alleged atrocities on black subjects in a British West Coast African colony. Lord Greystoke never made the investigation; in fact, he never reached his destination.
In 1888 young Lord Greystoke and his bride of three months sailed from Dover on their way to Africa. He had been commissioned to investigate alleged atrocities on black subjects in a British West Coast African colony. Lord Greystoke never made the investigation; in fact, he never reached his destination.
Arrived at Freetown, they chartered the Fuwalda, which was to bear them to their final destination. And here, Lord and Lady Greystoke mysteriously vanished forever from the eyes and from the knowledge of man. Two months later, six British war vessels were scouring the South Atlantic for trace of them.
Arrived at Freetown, they chartered the Fuwalda, which was to bear them to their final destination. And here, Lord and Lady Greystoke mysteriously vanished forever from the eyes and from the knowledge of man. Two months later, six British war vessels were scouring the South Atlantic for trace of them.
Beyond sight of land, the Fuwalda's captain, with a terrific blow, felled an old sailor who had accidentally tripped him. The swarthy bully's brutality caused big Black Michael to crush the captain to his knees. This was mutiny. The enraged captain suddenly whipped a revolver from his pocket and fired.
Beyond sight of land, the Fuwalda's captain, with a terrific blow, felled an old sailor who had accidentally tripped him. The swarthy bully's brutality caused big Black Michael to crush the captain to his knees. This was mutiny. The enraged captain suddenly whipped a revolver from his pocket and fired.
Lord Greystoke struck down the captain's arm, saving Black Michael's life, and thus forged the first link of what was destined to form a chain of amazing circumstances ending in a life <i>for one then unborn</i> such as has probably never been paralleled in the history of man.
Lord Greystoke struck down the captain's arm, saving Black Michael's life, and thus forged the first link of what was destined to form a chain of amazing circumstances ending in a life for one then unborn such as has probably never been paralleled in the history of man.
With suspicion of organized mutiny confirmed, they hurried to their quarters. Even their beds had been torn to pieces. A thorough search revealed the fact that only Lord Greystoke's revolvers and ammunition were gone. An undefinable something presaged bloody disaster.
With suspicion of organized mutiny confirmed, they hurried to their quarters. Even their beds had been torn to pieces. A thorough search revealed the fact that only Lord Greystoke's revolvers and ammunition were gone. An undefinable something presaged bloody disaster.
Lord Greystoke, unfolding the scrap of paper that had been pushed in under the cabin door, found it was a message printed in uncouth letters, warning him to refrain from reporting the theft of his revolvers, on pain of death. Lady Greystoke paled, wondering what her fate might be.
Lord Greystoke, unfolding the scrap of paper that had been pushed in under the cabin door, found it was a message printed in uncouth letters, warning him to refrain from reporting the theft of his revolvers, on pain of death. Lady Greystoke paled, wondering what her fate might be.