The Argosy — page 81: 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. 273 “Ah, but you don’t know the old man,’’ grinned the chief. ‘‘ He does first and talks afterwards. No hanky panky aboard the Pulo Way.”’ ‘“Won’t you come in?’’ said Hayling; for all this time the mate had lounged in the doorway, the curtain clutched in one hand, his ferrety little eyes darting suspicious glances all over the room. | “Thanks. I want a word or two with you.’’ He favored me with a most significant look. But I was already on my feet, and as the curtain fell behind me, I heard him say, ‘‘ What sort of a mug is that ?’’ Curious as was the expression, I knew to whom he-referred. CHAPTER V.—THE MystTERY INCREASES. As I groped my way along the dark deck I thought of Hayling’s warn- ing, and realized how easily two or three men might spring upon a man and toss him overboard. The thought was not pleasant, nor was I the more relieved when I beheld a form flit hurriedly by the engine room skylight. For a moment I entertained some singularly unpleasant thoughts, then rap- idly made my way aft and went below. There could be no longer any doubt as to the serious aspect of things—an aspect which was none the less terrifying on account of the scarcity of real knowledge. So, being full of the warning of my friend the second mate, and beset with vague suspicion, I fished out a revolver from the bottom of my big trunk, carefully loaded it, and then placed the weapon beneath ny pillow. I was not a warlike man, and prayed devoutly that there would be no demand for firearms ; but I had only one life to lose, and though not the ‘ best of lives, it was the best I had. It was a long time before I got to sleep, but when I did I slept soundly errough, never waking till the steward knocked at my door to tell me it was time to get up. Then, jumping out and looking through the port, I saw that the sun was already high, and that the ship had been slowed down again. Hxasperated beyond all measure, I dressed hurriedly and scrambled up on deck, eager to question the captain concerning this further delay. But, to my chagrin, no one was in sight, and of course I was not allowed to mount the bridge. A good ten minutes of angry pacing up and down fol- lowed, during which time I saw the captain and the mate perched up in the starboard corner of the bridge intently sweeping the sea with their glasses. At the same moment I beheld Hayling coming aft, and being sure that he had seen me, I slipped behind the deckhouse, a position which hid me from the men forward. Presently he swung round the corner and came towards me, smiling some- what recklessly, I thought. ‘“Well,’’ said he, ‘‘ had a good night ?”’ ‘“I suppose so.’’ 7 He laughed ; but this time the white teeth shone out from behind his dark mustache. ““'You’re a mysterious beggar, Hayling.’’ ‘Not in the least.’’ (F) Eomichook (E(o)