The Argosy, August 1914 — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

NOBODY LOVES A LOSER. within a biscuit throw, or possibly miles away and widening. the gap. The uncertainty is sporting, but nerve- racking when it involves one’s living. At night conditions are better. The mackerel schooners which, sailing out of Gloucester, supply the market with the great bulk of this kind of food, cruise from dusk to dawn up and down the mackerel grounds, with a lookout at the masthead, and all of the crew except those needed to sail the vessel trailing aft in the dories so.that not a second may be lost. The fish then discover themselves by stirring up the phosphorescence in the water as they break the surface. A night when the sea “ fires ”’ is suit- able to mackereling. Any lingering doubt as to the mo- tives of the Simcoxes was dissipated by the sleuthhound way in which they hung in the wake of the Hooper boat. Perhaps a half-mile separated the two, and thus far the pursuers had shown no inclination to close the gap. They had fallen a little farther behind when, in response to Herb Mann’s urging, the Hooper boat had put on full speed. This was en- couraging as it revealed the Simcox craft, a converted cat, a shade the slower. When the leader. had altered its course the other had shifted as well. Now it was cutting a parallel. The outcome hung on the direction the fish Jack had seen were taking—if toward the mouth of the harbor, the advan- tage might easily fall to the Simcoxes, ‘ or if along the line of the cliffs to the Hoopers. Under Herb’s leadership a long zig- zag was initiated, tending gradually farther offshore. Apparently some sense of shame remained to the rival gang. They also ranged abroad, but omitted some of the turns and twists of the leading crew. “ They cal’ late they’ve as good a chance as us,” Herb explained. “ An’ they have. No tellin’ where the fish ’Il show up next.” 61 “They can’t be far away,” said Jack. “It-isn’t a half-hour since [ sighted them.” “ Might be right under our keel this minute and headin’ for Noman’s Land,” rejoined Herb. ‘‘ We wouldn't know it. Chances are, though, if they’re feedin’ that they'll pop up somewheres. I wish we had a mast- head in the old tub.” The wish being a vain one solicited no reply. He and Jack continued searching the water, one to port and one to starboard. Vision was indeed sadly restricted so near the water’s edge. Even ten feet of elevation would have given them the shade of advan- tage over their competitors which might mean all the difference between success and loss. Jack gave a sudden exclamation. “D’you see ’em?”’ demanded Herb. “No, but—look—up there on the cliff. It’s Jessica.” ‘‘Jessica?’”’ Herb turned in the di- rection Jack indicated. Sure enough, on the brink of the cliff, her figure out- lined against the blazing blue sky, stood Captain Zed’s granddaughter, As well as the two men could deter- mine at their distance she was trying to signal. They called the attention of the others in the crew. Charles Hink- ley, next to Captain Zed and Jim Tarkis, the oldest man aboard, was, nevertheless, gifted with the sharpest vision. “Tt’s Jess, an’ she’s pointin’!” he cried. “ Put-your wheel to starboard, cap’n. She sees fish, that girl does. Up where she is she can find ’em when we can’t see nothin’ here.” Over went the wheel. “ Full speed, Charlie,” sang out Cap-_ tain Zed. Charlie gave her a heavier dose of gasoline, and the boat forged ahead. “Now pull the dories alongside,” came the order. “ An’ jump in. By mighty, I’m goin’ myself. Jack, can you rut the engin’? e “Sure thing,” replied Jack promptly. “Take her, then. Herb, you stay CORmMICLOOokKs (C@