The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 35: 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. 419 ‘““Who?”’ “Monckton. He has gone to warn Atwell of your purpose,’’ replied the passenger. ‘‘ Impossible, Mr. Thorne!” cried Captain Latimer, while Sydney turned her back upon him. Thorne was furious. ‘This is no time for mincing matters,’’ he said harshly. ‘‘ That fellow has been supplied all through the voyage with drink by Atwell. I tell you he has gone to warn him of your plans now.’’ ‘Hither you are a fool, or 7am one !’’ cried the captain tartly. ‘Thank you,’’ responded the younger man. ‘‘ We have held different opinions on that point right along, and by the looks of things now I believe you will be proven the fool. But enough of this. I tell you he has gone to speak with Atwell. I call.on you to go with me and prove or disprove my statement !”’ 3 ? He led the way to the deck. Captain Latimer and the mate followed him. As they made their appearance, one of the sailors uttered a shrill whistle. The next instant Monckton came out of the forecastle. Captain Latimer’s eyes blazed as he strode forward. ‘What are you doing here?’’ he demanded, pushing Thorne aside and looking at Monckton searchingly. ‘‘Go aft, sir, and keep away from the sailors’ quarters.’’ Then he descended into the forecastle, Thorne and Sessions close upon his heels. The place was deserted save for Sam Atwell, who reclined in a berth. ‘“Get up out o’ here, you lazy lout,’’ roared Latimer. ‘‘ Is this a time for a man to be lying abed? You go up too, Mr. Sessions, and send "Tonio here to me.’’ Atwell got up slowly and moved hesitatingly toward the entrance. ‘‘ Stir your stumps !’’ said the exasperated little mate. Atwell was almost twice his size, but Sessions had enough pluck for half a dozen men, and more muscle than Thorne would have imagined from his ap- pearance. He seized the sailor by the collar and slack of his trousers and actually pitched him forward on his hands and knees. ‘Get up on deck there !’’ he exclaimed, and followed his command with a sound kick which added very much to the celerity with which the fellow obeyed. Grim as the situation was, Thorne laughed. ‘Ordinarily I don’t approve of an officer striking a man aboard ship,”’ remarked Captain Latimer, with a peculiar smile, ‘“ but if ever a chap needed a first class licking, that Sam Atwell does.’ ‘Tonio came down to them in a minute. “Yank every living thing out o’ these bunks, cook,’’ said- Latimer. ‘An’ s’arch every man’s kit. If there’s liquor here I’Il have it.”” ‘' Jessop says it’s not kept in the forecastle,’’ remarked Thorne mildly. ‘“Yes. That’s because he doesn’t want it found, likely.” CoOMmmiclaoolks © 5}