The Argosy — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

aw Jaa vi i be: THE ARGOSY. ‘Can you tell me why we have slowed down ?”’ Sa Saiwt ‘‘ Nothing wrong with the engines ?”’ I should say not, since they are kept going.’’ ‘ But the engineer may be afraid to send them along at full speed ?’’ ‘“He may.”’ ‘But you doubt it ?”’ ST do” He was coldly, horribly laconic. ‘“‘ Tell me, are we still steering from Manila?’’ “Yes. Just go to the side and take a peep over the starboard bow.”’ - Doing as I was bidden, I thought I saw an unusual swirling of waters some distance ahead. Returning to him, I put the question: ‘“ What is that yonder ??’’ ‘The Scarborough Shoal,’’ said he. ‘And we ought to be nowhere near it ?”’ ‘" Nowhere.’’ ‘“ Are you sure?’’ ‘Quite ; even though the old man has locked me out of the chart room.’’ ‘‘ But do ships never come this way to:go to Manila ?’’ ‘“Not so far to the westward. We are inthe track of the Australian ships—of one coming from Port Darwin to Hong Kong. If her skipper knows his road he will come up the Molucca Passage, through the Celebes and Sulu Seas, and soon into the China Sea by the Mindoro Strait. We have no right where we are, and if Captain Macshiel is not a fool he has come for a certain purpose.’’ ‘“ What purpose ?’’ I queried. He looked very serious. ‘“’That I don’t know, but I believe we are afloat in very strauge company.’’ Just then the captain appeared round the corner of the deckhouse, and when he saw Hayling his ragged brows instantly contracted. A look of intense annoyance swept his face; but the next moment he greeted me with one of his pleasantest smiles. Hayling touched his cap and moved away. The captain watched him without speaking ; then turning to me, said: " Yonder fellow might make himself a bit more agreeable, considering how he loves a gossip.’’ ‘“T merely asked him why we were going slow, and what shoal that was out yonder.”’ ‘* And he told you?’’ ‘“ He couldn’t tell me why we were going slow, but he said the shoal was the Scarborough.”’ ‘ Nothing more, I suppose ?’’ ‘‘ No, nothing much. By the way, captain, is there anything wrong with the engines ?”’ ‘““That’s just it,’’ said he. ‘‘ The bearings got so mortal hot that the engineer had to slow down. It’s annoying-——extremely annoying.’’ ‘“ But is that really the Scarborough yonder ?’’ *comicbooks.com —