The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

398 A SECRET .OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, Thorne wheeled about, recognizing the tones of the second mate, who had crossed the quarter, and stood leaning on the rail above. He opened his lips to reply, and then, to his disgrace, stood there, dumb as an oyster, and with probably as idiotic an expression on his face as was possible. Sydney Lati- mer, second mate of the brig Naida, was a girl ! Thorne saw a flush steal into her dark face ; but she repeated her question very coolly. Meanwhile he had opportunity to note that hers was a remarkably attrac- tive countenance. Nothing mannish about her, despite the long rubber coat and the big hat. She was a most pronounced brunette, with small features and rebellious ringlets of short, dark hair framing her face. ‘I suppose you are Mr, Thorne?” she said, as he still remained dumb. ‘ Father said he expected you this morning.’’ By this time Thorne had regained his voice. “Iam delighted to meet you, Miss Latimer,’’ he said, langhing. ‘‘ Par- don my discourtesy, but I was considerably surprised when I discovered that the Naida’s second officer was - 3 ; ~ Was a girl ?” finished the other, again blushing. Yes,’’ he said. ‘‘ I hope you won’t think me rude ; but, really, it was most unexpected.’’ : ‘' Pll forgive you,’’ she returned, frankly. ‘' Now, sir, if you will find ‘Tonio, he will show you to your cabin. I can’t leave the deck at present.’’ Thorne found the cook, a huge mulatto with a rather pleasing face, and was ushered into his stateroom. It was a good sized apartment, and he found his boxes already stacked at the foot of the bed. But he was not anxious to unpack then, and despite the rain went on deck again, He hadn’t been on a vessel like this since he was a boy and used to spend his holidays about the East Boston docks. He wanted to pull onthe ropes with the men at the falls, and get tar on his hands, and have a sniff at the stuffy fo’castle. “I feel like a boy again,’’ he said to Sydney. ‘‘I want to poke into all the corners of the brig and mess around. I think there must be a streak of salt water in my blood.’’ ~ [Pm afraid the brig will be cramped quarters for you before we reach Aukland,’’ she replied, with a smile. ‘‘ But you are at liberty to poke around to your heart’s content.”’ ’ ‘I haven’t been aboard an old vessel like this for years,’’ he said. ‘And you won’t get. aboard many like it,’’ she returned, ‘‘ She is one of the oldest vessels in the American trade. _But you will have to excuse me, as I am the only officer aboard just at present.’’ She nodded her curly head with a smile, and turned away to attend to the lowering of the stores into the brig’s hold. As Thorne went forward he heard her voice ring out again from the quarter : ‘Now then, men, hurry along these casks. Two of you roll them aboard. The others can—by the way, where is the fourth man? What’s his name, Tom ?’’ ‘It’s Atwell, sir—I mean, mum,’ one of the sailors replied. iboo S) =) S5 S