The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

140 ‘THE GOLD DELUGE, mise how it was done. The English navy was the largest in the world, larger than those of all other nations combined, and they did as they pleased —no other country dared oppose them. Russia had lost nearly all her Asiatic possessions to England, and Germany its African colonies. China had been conquered and was an English province, and it was expected that the same fate would soon meet every other country on the globe. Erik turned ghastly white. ‘The news stunned him. ‘One more question,’’ he tremblingly said. ‘‘ Ask them where England got all the gold.’’ ‘“Who knows?’’ the Argentinian replied. ‘‘ There is no Parliament now. The English government takes the money out of the clouds, without taxes or budgets. They say they make their own gold. This is probably only talk. Others say they discovered a hill of solid gold in the heart of Africa, higher than Chimborazo, and that, very likely, is also a fake. Do you want potatoes or not ?”’ Krik purchased several bushels, and the sun was near the sea’s ale when the ships parted. Far on the horizon a dark, oblong mass appeared and approached with great rapidity ; it was too symmetrical and sharp edged for a cloud bank, while it seemed too enormous to be a vessel. “What in the mischief is that in the northwest?’’ Captain Alsloev exclaimed. The entire crew echoed his cry. ‘“Ask the whaler, before he sete too far off—hurry !’’ Kelly called out to Calandro. He formed a trumpet with his hands and called the question over to the South American, which had gained quite some headway. ‘An English man o’ war,’’ the reply came back. Consternation and fear spread over the features of all on board when Calandro had translated the reply. ‘Then our friend, the Englishman, has grown wonderin since we shot him in the eye,’’ Katy remarked. Erik and the captain whispered together hurriedly, while the men looked towards the vessel with frowning faces. The sun sank and the darkness became denser. ‘The Chemeia changed © her course and attempted to escape towards the east. But suddenly the black monster also changed her course and steamed in the same direction. It appeared to be under full steam and approached almost faster than a hurri- cane, and yet there was no smoke visible. “They use electricity,’’? Alsloev whispered to Erik. “Yes, I see,’’ Erik replied, with compressed lips. — Suddenly the water on the starboard side of the Chemeia began churning ominously. A queer object like a double cylinder came up to the ship with incredible speed. It was about twenty yards long and one third as broad. Slowly it bobbed up and down, still approaching, gently touched the side of the ship, and then ran with such force against the platinized steel plates of the bow that it seemed as if the ship was to be destroyed. The crew uttered a cry of terror. Eomichook (E@)