The Argosy — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

THE VOYAGE OF THE PULO WAY. Di ‘Vou are sure?”’ ‘‘ As sure as mortal man can be. If, as I understand, this ship was to go direct to Manila, I can assure you, on my honor, that she is not pointing that way at present.”’ ‘Certainly she was to go direct to Manila. ‘That’s why I came by her. Where else should she be going? ’’ ‘When I left the bridge her nose was pointing more to the south and west.’’ ‘And where would that lead us?”’ ‘‘’To the Mindoro Strait, far to the south aE Manila.’ ‘¢ And where and what the deuce is the Mindoro Strait ?”’ ‘Tt is the channel the Australian ships take on their way up from Port Darwin.”’ ‘‘But perhaps Captain Macshiel has made a mistake? Remember, yes- terday was dead reckoning.”’ ‘True; that’s why I didn’t speak yesterday ; but today we got the sun.’’ ‘* And did you take it ?’”’ ‘* J did.”’ I could see no way out of it. ‘There was no earthly reason why I should doubt the accuracy of Hayling’s statement, though inclination may have led me to modify it. He had worked out our position, and by what I could or ee i Sk ee ae Nee, oe ee ee) ee ee eS OA a hee re Oe ll 4 a er a Pe res hg | et OR er te SS eer en Ee oe ee hee ee eg ee 3 Se gather he was a man who thoroughly understood navigation. Truly, he had set my mind buzzing. ‘“Well,’’ said I, befogged completely, and just a trifle eager to find my way, ‘‘ what the deuce does it mean?’’ For a time he was silent, pulling thoughtfully at his cigar. Then he looked me earnestly in the face. ‘“ Captain Macshiel tried to persuade you not to join this ship?”’ ‘*TIndeed, yes. At first I thought he would not have me at any price, which so annoyed me that I had half a mind to take another vessel.’”’ ‘It’s a pity you didn’t.”’ «¢ Why ? ”) ‘*Tt’s plain that you were not wanted ; it’s doubly plain now that you are in the way.’’ ‘“T? My dear fellow, how can I be in the way ?”’ He looked mighty serious. His mouth formed into a rigid line, and his heavy brows came together in a deep furrow. ‘* Good-God !’’ he cried suddenly. And then, as if ashamed of himself, he added, in an apologetic tone, ‘‘ But, of course, it can’t be !”’ Startled at this abrupt outburst, I eyed him uneasily. ‘What can’t be?’’ I asked. ‘Look here,’’ said he; ‘‘I don’t want to frighten you, and it might have been an accident ; but have you forgotten the marlinespike ? ’’ ‘“On the contrary, I have aise dey of it MiCeSSan US: Had it not been for you the thing would have brained me.’ Understand, I lay no charge against Captain Macscks but I thought he handled the thing carelessly, and I saw sont danger,’ Eomichook (ee)