The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. ALS ‘‘What.is it?’’ he yelled, ‘Is she sinking? What shall I do!”’ He grabbed Thorne by the arm. His eyes were bloodshot ; his face pale as death. ‘There was no need to ask what was the matter with the fellow, He had been drinking heavily ; that was plain. | “Come, behave yourself !’’ exclaimed Thorne, shaking his arm free. ‘Go back to your bunk and sober up—d'ye hear? The brig isn’t sinking. We only shipped a big wave, that’s all.’’ He pushed Monckton into his room again and shut the door. ‘Pah !’’ he muttered, as he entered his own cabin. ‘‘ And that’s the fellow whose society our captain’s daughter prefers to mine ?’’ But the hurricane blew itself out at length and the hot sun shone from an unflecked sky once more. ‘The captain was able to take his first observa- tion for nearly a fortnight. Jessop was standing near Thorne when its result was made known. He | uttered an involuntary exclamation. ‘“ What is it?’’ asked the young man. “ Why, sir, we’re mighty close to the spot where the Anna Pixley was when she took “er last observation. That island ——’’ ‘Well, what about the island?’’ demanded Thorne eagerly, as Jessop hesitated. ‘It ought to be pretty nigh due north o’ here—as I could figure it out.” Thorne rushed below and examined his chart. The sailor was right. The long continued gale had blown the Naida so far off her course that she was now but a short distance from that portion of the South Pacific where the strange island on which Jessop had been wrecked was situated. A great de- sire to reach the island—to reach it at once—seized upon Thorne. Could he wait to make the rest of the passage to Aukland and then work back again before sighting the island on which Edgar Thorne might be vag? ? He felt as though he could not. He went in search of the captain. The Naida was already being put about on a more southerly tack. ‘‘ Captain Latimer,’’ he began eagerly, ‘‘do you realize where we are?”’ ‘‘H-m-m ! what d’ye mean? I’ve just taken my observation,”’ responded the captain, with a twinkle in hiseve. ‘‘I reckon I’ve got it straight, sir.’’ ‘I mean, do you know that we are in that part of the ocean in which the Anna Pixley burned ?’’ ‘Great Scott ! no!’’ exclaimed the captain. ‘‘ Where's the chart?’’ Thorne had brought his with him. He showed him the place he had marked on the map as being about the position of the island on which Jessop ane: been cast. ‘‘ Jessop says it must be almost due north of here—and it can’t be far,’’ pursued Thorne. ‘‘Can’t you put the N aida on the opposite tack for a day or so? We may come across it.’’ Captain Latimer looked excited. He examined the chart closely. ‘“It would take us a good bit off our course,’’ he muttered thoughtfully, an’ the Lord knows this is a going to be a long enough run, as itis. I dunno what Undercliff & Monckton will say.’’ CONIC OOokKks.cO© =