Argosy and Railroad Man's Magazine, Vol. 107 No. 3 — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

wee oe THE SHIP THAT CRUMBLED. “ Then take your hand off that knife!” He gripped the Spaniard’s right wrist, brought it down hard on the teakwood rail. Bringing his half-numb left hand into play, he crumpled the wrist again, and a third time. Steel splashed into the water beureet hull and wharf alongside. Donn Riley, with fists at sides, glared at him. “ You little whelp! You ditty little Senor Cordella’s handsome, dark face was fille with horror. He extended his open palms penitently. ‘‘ Senor, how can I ex- press—”’ “I’ve a mind to have you put m irons! T've—”’ He was interrupted by the booming voice of the old man. “ More trouble? Cesar! What men to have aboard a respectable ship!”” The Barracouda’s master and owner looked worried and irritable. ‘“‘ This Spaniard tried to stab me again.” ‘“‘T threw the knife overboard.” Luis Cordella gave to both of them a shamefaced look. ‘“‘ What can I explain, mi capitin? I have these wretched moods.” “It’s beyond me,’’ muttered the captain, growing more annoyed each second. He taised his voice angrily. ‘ Look here, Luis, if you come near this man again I'll clap you in irons. Riley, I give you that. rauthority.” “ Mi capitan, you are forgetting—”’ “J am forgetting. nothing!” roared the old mah. ‘“‘T repeat, you are forgetting who—”’ “Will you hold your tongue, Luis? Now, Riley, what is this mess about?” “It is a personal affair entirely,” said Riley stubbornly. (£4 Luis?” “ The senor presumes to doubt my affec- _ tions for the senorita, your adorable daugh- ter, mi capitdn!” The old man gasped. His eyes had be- come very small and hard. “ Luis, get to your stateroom, si usted gusta!” he added sarcastically. ‘ Ill have no talk of that girl aboard this ship! Affections, indeed!” He enorted. ‘Luis, please leave us! When ee ~ > <eeNeE e.. -——-—- w 437 you have quieted down, come to my quar- ters for a drink. But not sooner!” ‘« Si, mi capitan,” muttered the Spaniard. CHAPTER X. THE MADHOUSE:; WITH dreoping shoulders the consul to Pinar del Rio removed himself. When the thin figure had vanished beyond the glow of the pale deck light, Captain Mur- dock produced a deep groan. . “That fellow is a dreadful care.” He threw out his hands. ‘‘ But I was on my way here to speak of another matter.” He seemed to be having difficulty suppressing his anger, as if he were engaging himself im an exceedingly unlikable tasky ‘‘ I was hasty with you,” -he added. Donn Riley, fixing a curious glance upon him, nodded attentively. ‘“‘ By God! I wish you could see my side of this thing, Riley. There’s so much [’d like to confide in you. But I can’t! You keep thrusting me back. Can I afford to give you my complete trust—or are you going to be squeamish?” ‘““T don’t know,” said Riley. “IT ought to tell you what’s to become of this ship, Riley!” “ Yes, captain.” “What would you think if I told youl | myself don’t know what’s to become of her? Well, I don’t! She sails with a blank charter. Do you know you threw a scare into me this afternoon? You did! I am superstitious myself. You said she was named after a fish. You said she had a rotten soul. Riley, I have my fortune tied up in this ship.” ‘“T suspected so. sight?”’ ‘“‘ You can keep it under your hat. She’s chartered out of San Blas. I can talk to you with confidence. I realized that.” “Tf she only carried a fat insurance,” murmured Riley. “ I'd sink her in a minute!” “ So would I, sir.” Captain Murdock examined him with a straight gaze of suspicion. His face was still lined deeply with his former anguish, Have we a cargo in COMICEDOO S CO inn