The Argosy, Vol. 75, No. 4 — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

SAILING WITH MORGAN. “She is mine,” I said. “And I surrender my right to no man.”’ Hetherington sprang toward me, but Oakes shoved him back so that he nearly stumbled into the fire. The men about us laughed. It was not the first time that they had seen beauty cause a fight. “I will give my share,” I said, “and what I have at Tortugas. It amounts to two thousand pesos.” “Not enough,” said one of the cap- tains. “Take my share, Stephen,’ said my matelot, “Ihave fifteen hundred.” ~ “Not enough,” grinned the captain again. “You must pay for your prize, my son.” “Let them play for her,” suggested one. The proposal was received with a shout of acclamation. “Let us fight for it,’ I said. I had not missed the look of terror in her eyes. I have never been lucky at games of chance but I knew my own skill with the sword. : “No. No. A good sword hand shall not be lost to us, as it will be if they fight, for no matter who wins we still lose a man. Bring the dice.” They were brought and _ passed from hand to hand about the fire. I[ looked at the girl standing there with the firelight casting shadows on the bright gold of her hair. She covered her face with her hands and burst into an agony of weeping. “Diced for like a common slave,” she said. “I can not endure it! In honor give me a pistol or a knife. It is the better way!” Another roar of laughter interrupt- ed her. Oakes nudged me. “You cannot fight the crowd,” he said. “ Not even the two of us back to back could make head against them. Take the dice, man. It is your only chance.” Mechanically I took the four bones and threw. ‘Iwo aces, a five and a four was all that showed as they lay upon the red cloak that some one had laid upon the ground. 875 The girl’s face was tense and white as she followed the movements of my hand. Hetherington grinned evilly as [I passed over the box and the men crowded closely around the cloak on which we threw. “One—two aces—a five—and—yes, it is, by Heaven! It also is a four.” A gasp went up from the ring of bearded faces. If excitement was what they wanted they had enough of it and to spare. He handed me the dice for the throw that was to settle the question, and I threw. “An ace—a six and two fives! ”’ It was a poor throw-and I saw the smile of pleasurable anticipation that he gave as he gathered the dice in his great fist for the cast. But that throw was not to-be made, for as he took them in his hand a great, drunken ruffian reeled across the fire and slapped his fist down upon Heth- erington’s shoulder. “A fair game,” he called out. “A fair game, comrade, and a fair prize to the winner,” and the dice fell all over the cloak and disclosed four twos. Hetherington cursed and struck me across the face with his open hand. The blood rushed hotly to my head, and a great mist rose before my eyes as [ seized my sword and jammed the iron hilt with all my force against his mouth, “ Your life for that,” he panted. “Tf you can take it!” They could not refuse the fight to me under this provocation. A blow always meant a fight under the code of ethics of the Brethren of the Coast and they clamored about us madly as they formed a ring around the fire. “Stand to it, lad,’ said Oakes. “Keep your weather gage and board!” The words were scarcely out of his mouth when Hetherington was upon me, and quick of foot as I was in those days I found that I had my hands full to keep his sword point from my throat. Once, twice, he lunged with the ease of a practised swordsman, but his COPNICLOOOKS (C@)