The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

= 438 : A SECRET OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. sions’ arm. ‘‘ The tide sets in toward that tunnel like a millrace. He could have saved us both had he tried. He could have saved her, any way. But he let us go by him, and when he did move it was too late. We were swept into the tunnel. I caught at a rock to stay us; but she was snatched away from me and—that’s all.”’ He suddenly dropped his face upon his arm amid a tempest of hard, dry sobs. His emotion shook his whole body. ‘The mates tur ned their heads away and the sailors were dumb. But not so Captain Latimer. He rose to his full height, his eyes fixed upon Monckton. His face was gray and his hands worked convulsively. ‘You murderer !’’ he ae ‘You don’t deny this—your guilt is only too plainly written on your face.’ Monckton strove to speak but could not. ‘Thorne has spoken the truth—you have killed her !’’ His voice rose toa shriek. “‘ She was all I had—my daughter!’’ A little fleck of foam appeared on his lip. He stretched out his hands, clutching the air convulsively. ‘‘A father’s curse upon you!’’ he shrieked, and plunged forward a step toward the miserable Monckton. ‘‘ Pray—pray, you craven !—for by the living God | I’m going to kill you!’’ Monckton was paralyzed—fear stricken. He did not move as the crazed old man reached him. ‘Those awful, tallon-like fingers closed upon his throat. They swayed together an instant and then, sharply breaking the awed hush which had fallen on the group, came the crack of a pistol. Lati- mer reeled and went down, the blood flowing from his breast, and Monckton fell across his inert body. CHAPTER XIV.—ON THE EDGE oF ETERNITY. SESSIONS sprang forward and pulled the almost senseless Monckton off the captain’s body. But Pepper drew his revolver and cocked it. ‘‘ Hold there?’’ sang out Atwell, from the other side of the fire. ‘‘I’ve got the drop on you, Pepper.’’ The treacherous sailor’s voice was harsh and discordant, but there was no tremble to it now. He had recovered his self possession, and murder looked out of his bloodshot eyes. ‘‘T had an old score to settle with Latimer, but I don’t care what becomes of youan’ the mate. Justdrop your guns—both of you—and get back to Tonio yonder.’’ There was nothing for the two officers to do but obey. It would have been suicidal to show fight, for Atwell was backed by all the sailors but Jessop and Shields, and four of them had pistols. They laid down their weapons and fell back to where the cowering mulatto knelt upon the sand. At Atwell’s command one of the sailors gathered up the pistols, even remov- ing the one strapped about the captain’s waist. ‘“Come along with us, Mr. Monckton,’’ said Atwell. ‘* We'll see that you’re not harmed. We’re your friends.’’ Monckton, still dazed and silent, crossed over to the mutineers. comicbooks 3