The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

A422 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. “A neat. job of joiner’s work, indeed!’ he exclaimed, <“ Hung on leather hinges. Nobody’d notice the crack in this dark corner. What do you know about this, cook ?”’ ‘I sw’ar to goodness, Massa Latimer, I nebber knowed nottin’ erbout it,’’ declared ’’Tonio. | ‘This is some of Atwell’s work,’ said the captain; ‘‘ but how did you know about it? ”’ He turned upon Monckton with blazing eyes, and seized him roughly by the shoulder. , Thorne, although intensely interested in what was going on beside him, was also aware that something of serious import was taking place on deck. The firing had ceased. ‘There were shouts of command and the tread of hurrying feet. ‘Them debbles are lowerin’ de boats an’ leabin’ us, Cap’n Latimer !”’ cried ’Tonio, rushing to the door. As he spoke the brig seemed to strike some obstruction and she quivered from bow to stern. ' She’s struck a reef !’’ exclaimed the captain, his face paling. “No, no!” shouted Thorne, as’Tonio flung open the door. ‘‘ It’s the storm. I saw it coming up.’’ The wind was shrieking like a pack of fiends through the writhing spars and rigging, and the sea all about the brig was whipped to foam. It was im- possible to see half a cable’s length beyond the rail. ‘“A typhoon !”’ roared Captain Latimer, as he sprang past the cook to the deck. : Atwell was yelling orders like a madman. . Such sails as had been spread when the tempest struck had been torn from their bolts in a flash. But the ex mate was doing what he could to right the laboring brig. She lay over on her side till the sea ran over her rail. At the wheel stood Tom Shields and Jessop, hanging to the spokes for dear life. Thorne slammed to the foretastle door and followed the captain and Tonio across the staggering deck. ‘The sailors who, a few. minutes before, were carrying things with such a high hand, now clung to the shrouds with fear stricken faces. Latimer brushed the impotent Atwell aside. He seized a battered trumpet from beneath the quarter rail and shouted his orders through it. oy Never did men spring more willingly to obey him. Tonio and Thorne laid hold of the ropes with the others. It was a stupendous battle, but at last, still staggering unsteadily under the force of the wind, the old Naida swung around and began to forge ahead. before the gale. But she wallowed low in the heavy seas. Thorne tried the well. As near as he could judge the water had gained nearly two feet. He ran and told the captain. ~ Knock on the cabin door and tell the mates what’s happened,’’ he said. ‘“ Then, for God’s sake, Mr. Thorne, take a look at my little girl. See what’s happened to her.”’ Thorne hurried to the cabin and knocked on the door. oO 31 0 (Xe) d 5) Ss =)