Transcriber's Note:
1. Page scan source: http://www.archive.org/details/breakingstormtr00spiegoog
The weather had grown worse towards evening. The groups of navvies ontheir way to the new railroad at Sundin cowered closer together betweenthe piled-up barrels, casks, and chests on the fore-deck, while thepassengers had almost disappeared from the poop. Two elderly gentlemenwho had been talking a good deal together during the journey now stoodon the starboard side, looking at the island round which the steamerhad to pass to the south-west, and whose level shores, sweeping inbroad curves towards the promontory, appeared every moment moredistinctly.
"So that is Warnow?"
"No. I beg your pardon, President--that is Ahlbeck, a fishing village,which is, however, on the Warnow estates. Warnow itself lies fartherinland. You can just see the church tower over the edge of the dunes."
The President dropped the eye-glass with which he had vainly searchedfor the tower.
"You have sharp eyes, General, and are quick at finding out yourbearings!"
"I have only been there once, it is true," answered the General; "butsince then I have had only too much cause for studying this line ofcoast on the map."
The President smiled.
"Yes, yes; it is classical ground," said he; "it has been long foughtover--long and vainly."
"And I am convinced that it was right that the struggle should be invain: at least, that it should have only a negative result," said theGeneral.
"I am not sure that it will not be taken up again," answered thePresident. "Count Golm and Co. have been making immense effortslately."
"After you have so clearly proved that it is impossible that therailway should pay?"
"And you that the harbour would be useless!"
"Pardon me, President, the decision was not left to me: or, to speakmore correctly, I declined to make it. The only place in the leastsuitable for the harbour would be just there, in the southernmostcorner of the bay, protected by Wissow Head--that is to say, on theWarnow property. It is true that I am only a trustee for my sister'sestates----"
"I know, I know," interrupted the President; "old-fashioned Prussianhonesty, which becomes over-scrupulous sometimes. Count Golm and Co.are less scrupulous."
"So much the worse for them," said the General.
The two gentlemen turned and went up to a young girl, who was sittingin a sheltered place under the lee of the deck cabin, and passing thetime as best she could, partly in reading, partly in drawing in alittle album.
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