The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

436 A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, ‘* Till we get ready to leave.”’ ““And how will you get to any inhabited island ? ’’ ‘In the long boat. If Jessop an’ another fellow could make the trip to Aukland in the same sort of a craft, I reckon we can get to the Marquesas. That ain’t so far.’’ ‘“But this whole party couldn’t sail there in the long boat,’’ gasped Sessions. ‘Did anybody say they could?’’ demanded Atwell, with a cruel laugh. ‘‘ 'There’s room enough for ws. You fellows can do as you durn please.’’ ‘You cowardly villain !’’ cried Sessions. He took a step toward the fellow as though intending to strike him ; but at that instant Jessop and Shields reappeared from the direction of the inlet. And between them they bore a figure, the sight of which brought a cry of amazement from all. Perhaps Sam Atwell himself betrayed the most emo- tion. He shrank back with a cry of fear, his face pale, his jaw hanging. Monckton arose slowly to his feet, his bloodshot eyes fixed upon the face he had never expected to see again. It was Thorne. His clothing was torn to shreds. He was without coat, or hat, or shoes. His face was like death and he reeled between the two sailors like a drunken-man. But the instant he saw Monekton he wrenched himself free and staggered toward him. ““You fiend! you devil !’’ he cried, the words rasping from his parched throat. ‘‘ Her blood is upon your head !”” He stretched out his hand to seize the terror stricken Monckton, and fell senseless at his feet. ‘It’s Mr. Thorne !’’ gasped Pepper. ‘What does it mean? Where did you find him, men ?’’ asked Sessions, dropping upon his knees beside the senseless man. ‘He was just crawling out of that tunnel yonder, where the sea makes in,’’ replied Jessop. 3 “Out of the tunnel !’’ replied the mate. ‘Aye, aye, sir. I’d never thought mortal man would ha’ got out of it, ounce the current got a grip on him,’’ said the sailor. ‘But how came he there? What does it all mean ?”’ ‘‘'There’s somebody here who knows about it,’’ interposed Pepper, point- ing to the pallid Monckton. ‘Mr. Monckton !’’ cried the mate, ‘‘ what do you know about it, sir?’’ Monckton wet his parched lips with his tongue and tried to speak. But the words would not come. ‘Come, sir,’? commanded Sessions, looking at him sternly, ‘‘ tell us what you know about this. Mr. Thorne intimated that you were connected with the mystery.’’ ‘““I—I don’t know what he means,’’ said Monckton, in a husky voice. ‘Ts he dead?’’ asked Pepper, turning to the mate. ‘*No, no! His heart beats. But it’s a case of absolute exhaustion.’’ ‘‘ Atwell,’’ exclaimed Pepper, ‘‘let me have that flask you’re being so free with.”’ (COMME ONCOL KS |