The Argosy, August 1914 — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

30 THE stand how it happened. It doesn’t seem possible even a Barratry Islander would do a thing like that, which means life or death to the person relying on the compass. It must have happened by accident.” “Where 4s Potter Jack. “He is number one man in the Sim- cox’ gang,” the girl replied. ‘“ Mark Simcox runs a fishing outfit just across the cove. Here—you can see his place from the window.” She pointed to it. “His traps and gill nets are set out near grandfather’s, and he even had the impudence to say that grandfather had set on his locations. | “ Grandfather has a will of his own, though. He isn’t easily frightened. He told Mr. Simcox he could carry it to the inland fisheries commission if he wanted to, but until he got an order from them he shouldn’t take up his traps. “Now you know all our troubles,” she ended with a laugh. “ See what a dangerous port you came into from the storm. At any moment the house is likely to be burned about your ears.” “T’m not seared,” Jack returned. -“T’m rather used to fighting.” Restored to health, as he was within less than a week of his arrival on Bar- ratry, he was confronted with the neces- sity of considering his immedtate fu- ture. The obvious course was to return forthwith to New York and fight his way back to the standing his folly had forfeited. Oddly enoygh, the thought of the associations such a course must entail discovered a hitherto unknown distaste for them. Oddly, since so brief a pe- riod had elapsed since to be the hero of stage women and fat men with dia- mond studs had been as the breath of life. These people among whom he had been thrown were of a different star. They breathed air vitalized by the ocean instead of vitiated by perfume and cigar-smoke. He wanted to stay among them, at least for a time. asked now?” ARGOSY. But how should he do that? Now that he was himself again, it was im- possible to continue a pensioner at Cap- tain Zed’s, even if it were permitted. If only he knew something about the fishing business, he would offer him- self to fill the place left vacant by EI- mer Trask. His experience with Butcher Hor- lock and Vesta Dawn had drawn a little from the abundant store of happy-go-lucky self-confidence which had been his principal inspiration until that unfortunate affair. Ina healthful reaction, he questioned whether he were even equal to the requirements of fishing. : Then the decision was taken out of his hands. Captain Zed himself ad- vanced the proposal at the supper- table. “ Seeing *s you didn’t bring anything ashore except what you stood in,” said he, “ I suppose you'll be looking for a berth? ” | “ Pve got to,” Jack replied. “Tf you want to try fishing, I can give you a chance,” the old man offered. “ Ten a week and your share. Pil outfit you against your first week’s pay. You bunk with the gang. For as long as we're both satisfied. What do you say? ”’s “Tl take it,” Jack agreed promptly. “ Show me my bunk.” CHAPTER VIII. A HOSTILE MOVE. A HAND grasped Jack ~Garrett’s shoulder and shook him vigorously. “Turn out!” came the command. The suddenly awakened man grunt- ed and stretched. He was forbidden further sleep by the repetition of the order as Jim Tarkis, the ex-whaler who served Cap’n Zed’s gang in the capacity of cook and housekeeper, went from man to man. The savory odor of ham and eggs and coffee, tickling sluggish senses, brought full consciousness. It was COMIC OOo S (©