The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 51: 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. A35 ‘“You’re sure this is the island you was wrecked on before ?’’ demanded Sessions. ‘No doubt of it, sir.’’ ‘“ Well, we didn’t have to hunt far to find it,’’ remarked the mate. ‘‘ You’d better hear to Jessop, Pepper.’’ : At that moment another man approached along the sand. It was Monck- ton, his face pallid, his hands shaking as though with the palsy. ‘‘ What’s the good word ?’’ asked Pepper. Monckton shook his head, crossed to the opposite side of the fire, and sat . down silently. Atwell, who had been looking at him curiously, got up and offered him his flask. ‘The other clutched it and drank eagerly. ‘* D’ ye see that?’ said Sessions, in a low tone. ‘‘ Those rascals have got liquor. As long as it lasts we’ll have trouble with ’em.’’ ‘Then the sooner they get rid of it the better,’’ growled Pepper. ‘I thank the Lord there was none of the stuff in the brig’s cargo,’’ went on Sessions, ‘‘ so they won’t be able to broach a cask here on the shore and get howling drunk as I’ve seen a crew do under similar circumstances. ”’ ‘“We ought to get to work on some of this stuff that’s floating in, though,’’ whispered Pepper. ‘‘ We may be thankful for it. We must do something to rouse the old man’s interest in things, or he’ll go quite off his chump.”? _ Just then Jessop and Shields rose and moved away from the fire. ‘Where are you going, men?’’ demanded Sessions. ‘“We’re after some green stuff—vegetables, sir,’’ replied Jessop. ‘I know where some grows not more’n a mile or two from here. ‘The tide ’1l be at the full ina bit an’ we can cross the inlet. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for the second mate, if so be she’s about.”’ ‘“Then ’Tonio and I'll go to the west’ard,’’ said Pepper. ‘‘She may have passed us in the dark.”’ Captain Latimer groaned, but did not show his interest in conversation otherwise. ‘“ While they’re gone, men, let’s get some of these casks and things ashore,’’ proposed Sessions cheerily, addressing the remaining sailors. ‘‘ We might as well look the matter fairly in the face. The first thing is to save the stuff. How to get away from the place will come later.’’ The men looked at Atwell and said nothing. He turned on the mate a face crimsoned by his excessive potations. ‘‘ What’s the matter with you ?’’ he demanded in his ugly way. ‘ D’ye think we’re aboard ship again? Me’n’ my mates don’t take no orders from the like of you on shore here.’’ Sessions’ temper blazed out at once. | ‘You drunken fool !’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘ Can’t you see what’s best for all of us?” “If you want to drag them casks ashore, you can. We’ll live on vege- tables an’ fruit and be glad of the chance. Jessop says there’s plenty of such nere,”’ ‘“And do you expect to stay here forever? ’’ demanded the mate. GoOmilchbooksneo 5}