Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 2 — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

270 “We're pelagic, you know,” said Lund. “We ain’t trespassin’ on purpose. Didn’t even know you owned the island.” “Tt is on our charts,” said Ito crisply, as if that settled the right of dominion. ‘““ How did you come here at all?” » “We was brought,” said Lund. ‘ Got froze in north o’ Wrangell. Gale set us west as we come out o’ the Strait. We're bound for Corwin. Nothin’ contraband. All reg’lar. Six hunters, two damaged in the gale, though the doc’s fixed ’em up. Twelve seamen, one boy, an’ a nigger cook who’s pizened himself with his own cookin’. Doc’s bringin’ him round, too, though he don’t deserve it. Want to make yore in- spection. until the ice melts. Take yore time.” The little, dapper officer with his keen, high-cheeked face, and his shoe-brush hair, got up and bowed, with a side glance at Peggy Simms. ‘Te is net usual for young ladies to be so far north,” he said, his endeavor at gal- lantry obvious. “T am with my father,” said the girl, looking at Rainey, enjoying the situation. ‘Where I go she goes,” said Lund. And looked in turn at her with relish in his double ‘suggestion. He, too, was playing the game, gambling, believing in his luck, reckless, now he had set the board. They passed through the corridor. Lund opened up the strong-room, and then the valley. It was orderly, and there was a moaning figure in Tamada’s bunk, a tossing figure with a head bound in a red bandanna above the black face and neck that showed above the blankets. The eyes were closed. The black hands, showing lighter palms, plucked at the coverings. “ Delirious,” said Lund. right. He’s a rotten cook.” “ Have you ail the medicines you need?” asked Ito. ‘I can send our surgeon.” “T can manage,” returned Rainey, alias Carlsen. ‘It’s enteric. I’ve reduced the fever.” They passed on through the hunters’ quarters. The girl fell behind with Rainey. ? “ Serves him she whispered. ‘I helped him to be sure he covered everything that would show. It . We're in no hurry to git away | : “You’re some actor, Tamada! THE ARGOSY., was my idea about the bandanna. Just what a sick negro would wear, and it hid his straight hair.” The lieutenant appeared fairly satisfied, but requested that Lund go on board his ship. He stayed there until sundown, re- turning in hilarious mood. | ‘We've slipped it over on ’em this time,”’ he said. “TI left ’em aswim with sake, an’ bubblin’ over with polite regrets. But they'll be back in three weeks, they said, if the ice is open. An’, if the luck holds, welll be out of it. I don’t want them searchin’ the ship agin.” He _ slapped Tamada on the back as he came to serve Supper after Sandy had laid the table. “A reg’lar vodeville skit,” he exclaimed. But why didn’t you say the island was down on their charts. Théy’ve even got a name for it, Hiyama.” ‘It means hot mountain,” said Tamada. ‘ Thexgovernment names many islands.” “You can bet yore life they do,” said Lund. “ Theyre smart, but they over- 4 looked that beach an’, they’ve given us three weeks to cash in.” Lund himself had imbibed enough of the sake to make him loose of tongue, added to his elation at the success he had achieved. The gunboat was gone on its patrol, and he had a free hand. He half filled a glass with whisky. ‘ Here’s. to luck,’ he cried. And spilled a part of the liquor on the floor be- fore he set the glass to his lips. ‘“ Here’s to you, doc,” he added. to Peggy!” He rolled eyes that were a trifle bloodshot at the girl. ‘ Our relations have gone back as usual, Mr. Lund,” she said quietly. Lund glared at her half truculently. ‘I’m agreeable,” he said. “ As a daugh- ter, | disown you from now on, Miss Peggy. Here’s to ye, jest the same!” CHAPTER XVII. A MAN TO HIS MATE, fe ROM the day following the arrival and “ A good make-up: and a good actor,” , departure of the Japanese gunboat, they attacked the little U-shaped beach that lay between. two buttresses of the vol- EOPMICG LOOKS, ‘s An’ * (E@)