The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

164 you up temporarily on each occasion that I visit my cache for supplies, but you mustn’t mind that.” “We get on queek now,” said Foularde complacently. Henceforth they worked together, the Frenchman talking gaily of home and of the girl he meant to marry. He frankly confessed that he had looked to the re- ward which he had counted upon ob- taining for Saville’s apprehension to set him up in life. : As it was—well, monsieur had said ‘something of a fee. Perhaps he would be generous, then, with what Saville had paid him originally he and his Jeanette would do well enough. But Saville was not altogether con- vinced, and he abated no one of his pre- cautions against possible treachery. In three days’ time they had taken the boat apart and hoisted the sections into the upper chamber. They then pro- ceeded to construct the slipway. On the second day of their work on this a sudden gale sprang up and Saville experienced the bitterness of seeing the results of their labor entirely nullified. For forty-eight hours the storm lasted. It was impossible even to visit his hidden food supply, though of water they had more than enough, for it rained with tropical violence. Saville chafed restlessly in the cave, almost every inch of which was taken up by the boat sections. Foularde took the delay philosophically, smoking endless cigarettes to reduce his hunger; indeed Saville thought the Belgian seemed more pleased than otherwise, though he feigned impatience at odd times. At last the weather cleared, the tur- bulent waves ceased to break over the little quay and they were able to recom- mence their task. Saville drove the work on with increased energy and in two days the slipway was ready. Then they lowered the sections from the cavern above and began the recon- struction of the motor-boat. Saville be- came feverishly anxious now. Another gale at this juncture would ruin all. THE ARGOSY., But the elements remained tranquil and at last the boat stood complete even to the motor, which they had been com- pelled to build in with the sections, as it would have been impossible with their lack of appliances to lift the heavy weight over the side. The propellérs only re- mained. Saville feared injury to these during launching and decided to fix them after- wards. When the connections were completed and the last nut screwed down, he leaped from the high bank on which the boat lay. “This,” said he, ‘‘ is where we ought to cheer. Do you feel like cheering, Foularde?”’ “Tt ees a good job done,” replied Foularde soberly. “That is not quite an answer to my question,” observed Saville, ‘“‘ but I won’t ask too much of you. I will treat you to an extra bottle of wine any way. I sup- pose you won’t object to that.” Foularde’s sallow features relaxed. “* Monsieur ees vair kind.” Saville nodded and went off to his hid- den store. He did not trouble to send Foularde into the cave this time. The boat was finished and he felt quite com- petent to keep the other in hand during the brief remaining time that they would be together. When Saville returned he found the Frenchman busy testing the motor. “T sink she vill go all right, monsieur,” said he, and Saville noticed a curious tremor in his voice. Triumph at his successful work, no doubt. The fellow’s heart was in his profession. ‘We will try her before nightfall,” re- plied Saville. ‘“ If we can only—”’ He broke off suddenly with mouth agape. The bottle in his hand dropped on the rock and the red wine ran away amid the broken glass. Far off over the blue water a long trail of smoke showed on the horizon. Foularde chuckled quietly. “TI see heem ten minutes ago,” said CORICGLOOOKS (S@)