The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

416 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. ‘“I’ll be answerable for Mr. Undercliff,’' said Thorne. ‘‘I feel sure he would say ‘ Do it!'”’ “But there’s a mighty big chance of our not hitting it in a week of Sun- days,'’ returned the captain. ‘‘ And then again,’’ he admitted, ‘‘ we might run slap up against it, first thing.’’ ‘“It can’t make much matter,’’ urged Thorne; ‘‘we’re so far off our course already.’ ‘‘ Let’s see what Sessions thinks about it,’’ said the captain. He raised his voice and shouted for the first mate. Mr. Sessions approached and the third officer also joined them. ‘See here,’’ said Latimer, ‘‘ what d’ye think of this? You know what Mr. Thorne has come out with us for? He figures that this very island he is after isn’t far to the nor’ward of us at this blessed minute. He wants we should put the brig on a northerly course for a day or two and see if we can strike the island. What d’ye think, Sessions? You’re acquainted with these latitudes,’ The mate took Thorne’s chart and eyed it critically. ‘“I don’t know,’’ he said, slowly. ‘“ What's the prospect of another storm? ’’ went on Latimer. ‘‘ That's the principal thing. I dunno as the old brig’lI stand many more such strains before she sees a ary dock. Have you tried the well this morning, Mr. Pepper ?”’ ~2NO- Sit.’ ‘“ Do so, then.’’ ‘* Aye, aye, sir !’’ ‘*I don’t see as there is much objection ta such a course, Captain Lati- mer,’’ said Mr. Sessions slowly. ‘“If Mr, Sessions doesn’t, I do,’’ interrupted a new voice. Thorne wheeled about and glared into the face of Carter Monckton. ‘Well, sir, what have you got to say about it ?’? demanded Captain Lati- mer in surprise. ‘I object to the Naida being run an =o off her course,’’ replied Monck- ton calmly. . ‘“ Is that so?'’ cried the captain, the blood surging to his face, ‘“Yes. I don’t blame you, captain,’’ pursued Monckton, ‘‘ but this has been an expensive voyage for Undercliff & Monckton, and every day we are detained adds to the expense. I represent my father in the matter, and I forbid it.’’ Nobody spoke for fully a minute. Mr. Sessions, with an expression of intense disgust on his face, turned and walked aft to the wheel. ‘“ What do you mean by this interference ??’? demanded Thorne, his wrath blazing forth. ‘‘ Are you drunk again-?’’ ‘* Hold on, Mr. Thorne !’’ exclaimed Latimer. ‘‘ Let me attend to this, I pray. I hope I’m captain on my own deck yet, though I begin to doubt it when you two fellows get to quarreling.”’ But Monckton responded to Thorne’s bitter question. =), Eomicbooks