The Argosy — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

266 THE ARGOSY., on the glass of the port that the sun was shining, and I knew by the steadi- ness that the sea had gone down. and that the ship was riding on an even keel. To my surprise, though, I still heard the slow crunch, crunch of the screw, which told me that we had not yet increased our speed. At this I must admit I felt exceedingly exasperated, and I had some unconsoling thoughts of the wretched voyage lasting a fortnight. I sprang out of the bunk, opened the port, and hada peep through. The sea sparkled brightly, and was as smooth as the most ardent landsman could desire; nor, as far as my observation went, was there a cloud in the sky. . I must say that peep at the sea and the sunshine put me in a more chari- table mood. I hastily dressed, ate my breakfast, and then went up on deck.. At first I noticed nothing but the extreme placidity of the sea and the delicious fragrance\of the air; but presently my attention was attracted by an unwonted bustle which was going on forward. Moved by curiosity, I walked thither, and there beheld the crew rigging up a cannon of consider- able dimensions. I don’t know much about cannon myself, but this seemed of a fair size and capable of discharging a considerable projectile. I saw that it was mounted on a carriage, that it was a breechloader, and evidently of the latest pattern. I admit I failed to see the object of so much unnecessary labor. What had a dirty little tramp like the Pulo Way to do with breechloading cannon or any of the paraphernalia of dreadful war? It was, in its way, a surprise; but a greater one was in store for me when I discovered that the director of ceremonies, or superintendent in chief, was no less a person than the big Chinaman whom the second mate had kicked so unceremoniously the day before. His great form loomed up plainly on the forecastle head, and I saw -by his gestures that he not only was deeply absorbed in his work, but that he also knew something about it. ‘The captain was there with his mate, but he seemed to have handed over all authority to the big Chinaman. I was not near enough to hear what the big fellow said, as I stood under the bridge ; but I followed his every movement with interest, and J thought that the men worked with an unusual energy. For the life of me I couldn’t see the fun of playing thus at warships, and from personal knowledge I can disprove the fallacy that coming events cast their shadows before: ‘The real object of our gun mounting never so much as entered my head. Presently the captain descended the fo’c’sle steps and came towards me. In one hand he held a formidable looking marlinespike, in the other a length of teased out rope. : . ‘“Good morning, captain,’ said I. ‘‘ Are you going to turn the Pulo Way into a man o’ war?”’ He shot a quick, inquiring look out of his little pale eyes, while a curious smile curled the tip of his parrot beak. He scratched amid his neck whiskers with the point of the marlinespike. ‘' Well,” he answered slowly, ‘‘ finding the voyage a wee bit monotonous, we're just thinking of trying our hand at a little shooting.’’ , Eomichook wll yaa com