Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

heavily and ominously in the distance, with occasidnal sharp cracks near at hand. “Look, Anina—there comes the rain! See it there behind us! I hope it won’t be a bad storm. I wouldn’t want to be out in this little tub.” The wind veered to the left, increasing steadily. The sea was lashed into foam; its spray swept over the boat, drenching them thoroughly. The waves, turning now with the wind, struck the boat on its stern quarter. One curled aboard, sloshing an inch or two of water about the bottom of the boat. Mer- cer feared it would. interfere with the mechanism, but Anina reassured him. As the waves increased in size, Mercer swung the boat around so as to run directly before them. The stern frequently was lifted clear of the water now, the boat losing headway as a great cloud of hissing steam arose from behind. After a time the Light Country shore came into sight. They were close upon it before they saw it through the rain and murk. They seemed to be heading-diag- onally toward it. “ Where are we, Anina?” Mercer asked anxiously, The girl shook her head. Steadily they were swept inward. The shore line, as they drew closer, was to Mer- cer quite unfamiliar. There were no bayous here, no inundated land. Instead, a bleak line of cliffs fronted them—a perpendicular Wall against which the waves beat furious- ly. They could see only a short distance. The line of cliffs extended ahead of them Out of sight in the gray of the sheets of rain. They were Nintigg teward the cliffs, and Mercer knew if he did not do something they would be driven against them in a few moments more. ~ We'll have to turn out, Anina. We can’t land along here. We must keep away if we can.” With the waves striking its stern quarter "i the boat made much heavier weather. _=% Seemed to Mercer incredible that it siowd stay afloat. He found himself thor- felt relieved. He had r “her the boat, where she would b from the wind and rain. — bade her get up and sit beside hi “We might be swamped a Anina. You sit there where ~en caught if we go over.” = They swept onward, Mercer k i! boat offshore as best he coms aa “7 ‘ Haven’t you any idea 1 as Anina? How far along do t tend?” A huge, jagged pinnacle a great cathedral spire set in the c into view ahead. Anina’s tacked when she saw it. = i: ie ‘“ The way to the Water ity, ” sh : «A river there is—ahead. i now.’ In spite of all Merten. coul were blowing steadily closer t lashed cliffs. He began to despair. “ Tf anvth pens, Anina—you fly up at “on a - hear? Don’t you wait. You ca any. I'll make out some vay. Es for rate ” He fell silent a then said softly: “And, Anina, should happen, I want you t I think you’re the sweetest, r ful little girl I ever met. 2 ae Tess os, ig aaa E i PPP = ~ dear—” - Se The girl gripped his ie: JOY. : = pe = “* See, Ollie! There, al That is the Water City there?” The mouth of a broad lar waves rolling up into Hes ve — "y : view. They rounded th and entered it, ruaning a before the wind, Tee a short distance to a n like the one they had le ria Country. Snes ae Mercer turned to. ne v beside him. aa a xf aa I wouldn’t comebacks com