Adventure Magazine Cover — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= He Sgehe > ha = d to olight a fresh cigaret. end began to talk about what he would do in Calcutta again. iis = The bells of the watch clanged heavily on the hot air. The tall figure in white of the Second coming from his dinner below passed and went down to his quarters. “T know!” exclaimed Selwyn, suddenly springing with unexpected agility to his feet. “Come along aft. There'll be more air there, and we can watch the phos- phorus in the wake. Awfully jolly stuff although F’ve never seen it. Game?” “Tf you like.” Vi hesitated. “Oh, I haven’t enough energy to get up.” “T’ll help you!” And, bending, he caught her arms and almost lifted her on to her - feet. “Oh, you are clumsy!” she complained. “‘You’ve nearly crushed what blood I’ve left out of my arms.” “Come on!” he laughed. “T’ll carry you all the way there if you like.” “No, thanks. You’re too rough.” suum THEY made their way off the bridge W: and across the iron deck, which re- tained the heat of the baking sun, behind the spare wheel-box, and leaned on the wooden taffrail by the log. “Ves,” agreed Vi after a minute, regard- ing the phosphorescent turmoil made by the propeller, “it certainly is wonderful. And what a funny row that thing makes there every few seconds. 2 eg log, isn’t it?” “Yes, I think so,” said Sahin absently. He moved closer and placed an arm lightly on her neck, saying: “Oh, leok at that fuss over there! Must be a fish or something.” “Where?” demanded Vi, placing a foot on to a ee to slide along the Fait, “No, not there. I mean— _ Vi!” His arm tightened around her neck and suddenly forced her head back so that her - mouth was free to his ips. With a smoth- ered exclamation she tried to turn her head away. For an instant in a tight grip he held her. Then with a force which surprized him she wrenched her shoulders free and effectively killed an amorous protest with a left-handed swing of the palm on his emcate “That for your —— impertinence!” ejacu- a: lated Vi furiously. ~ He slid a foot along ‘the rail, almost losing his balance. For an instant he clasped his hand to his mouth and with a muffled oath launched himself straight at her. Vi was rather off her guard. He caught her around the neck again and under the left arm-and forced her backward, muttering hercely— “Tl get you, you ——”.- _- The last word was choked as two power- ful hands closed around his throat. As he loosed his hold he was lifted into the air and literally flung across the deck into the scup- pers. Gasping with rage, Vi nearly turned upon the tall form in white. ‘Are you all right?” came Carnell’s voice sharply. “I— You—” spluttered Vi in astonish- ment. “Oh, thank— How did you come here?” “I—I came to look at the log,” asserted Carnell. ‘Are you all right, Miss Kelvett?” “I— Yes, thanks. Oh, thank you very much, Mr. Carnell,” she added more quietly. “I—TI think the brute’s torn my dress. Where is the creature? Oh, you didn’t throw him overboard?” “No, I don’t think so. No; here he is.” A quick step on the iron "deck brought them round to face Selwyn, who stood with his fists clenched, staring through the dark- ness to identify his assailant. “Oh, it’s the second mate is it, you ——!” he said. “And who in —— asked you to interfere?”’ “I did!” said Vi sharply. “Tf you weren’t a blooming mate I’d give you the thrashing you deserve, you hound,” he continued, ignoring Vi. “T’m at your. service,” replied Carnell in a low voice, advancing a step. “One does not fight with a common sailor,” sneered Selwyn. “T’ll have you put in irons, my good fellow, and when we get to Calcutta I’ll see you get a few months to teach you better manners, and by —— you woh’t sail on my ship again. Under- stand?” | “T’ll have you put in irons—” began Car- nell when a hand upon his arm stopped him. Selwyn glared at him and then at Vi and, turning, limped off toward the bridge. “T had better go now, Miss Kelvett. He won’t dare say a word. But I think that I should hand the fellow over to the captain. - ; a es : — oe : nat r : —~ VOOKS.COM — \ . \ Lt | 3. owe a S\N OO CMe Fs my “a <0 Fhe % imo “as —~ en Sa okt” <5