The Argosy — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

282 THE ARGOSY. — His hand, which I had noticed him slip round to his hip, was here brought to view, and in it he held a sailor’s long sheath knife. With a savage cry he leaned across the table as if to stab me. But I had guessed his intention, and was prepared. Drawing quickly, I had him covered. ‘“If you move another inch, I’ll fire!’ The fellow stood transfixed, his ugly eyes peering into the barrel of the revolver, which could not have been two feet from his forehead. ‘‘ Now, drop that knife—drop it, or, by heaven, I’ll put a bullet through you !”’ Caught as he was, and seeing the determination in my face, his horrid, thick lips twitched convulsively. With an angry gesture he flung the knife upon the table, where it stuck quivering. ‘“ Now, get out of this,’’ I said, ‘‘ and see that you keep out of it while 1m -here.’? All this was so sudden, so unexpected, that Macshiel and his companions looked on with wonder, nor did they once raise any objection to my dealing so summarily with the engineer. Indeed, for the time being, I was master of the situation, and knowing the nature of my company, I made the most of my power. I therefore assumed a reckless, defiant air, and delivered myself of sundry tremendous oaths; for whereas swearing but lowers a man in decent company, it exalts him in the company of the base. ‘To hear me one would think my blood was scalding hot with indignation, and I flatter myself that I acted admirably the part of a furious fire eater; at least, I was suc- cessful. The Portugee retreated step by step, and muttering something in his own disgusting lingo, bolted up the companion. Turning to the captain, I smiled, and said : “I must apologize, Captain Macshiel. But the fellow was a rogue—a fact of which you could have had not the least conception.”’ ‘“ Not the least,’’ said he, with a dubious smile. ‘‘ I had always thought Luiz an exceptionally honest fellow, as he is undoubtedly a first class engi- meer.” ‘‘ First class,’’ echoed the two subordinates. ‘‘ I have no wish to question his abilities as an engineer,’’ said I loftily, though the frequency with which we have broken down might lay him open to suspicion. For myself, I have no great liking for foreign scum, and I prefer not to meet it.’’ Having gone so far, I thought it just as well to carry things with a high hand. To have faltered then would have been fatal. “Luiz must have been very drunk,’’ said Macshiel, an uneasy smile flickering across-his face. ‘‘I always knew he was inclined to be quarrel- some, but I had no idea he could so far forget himself. You are sure you are not mistaken in the cards ??’’ ‘Quite. Your friend Luiz may be an excellent specimen of the engineer, but he is not a good card player.” ‘‘No,”’ said he significantly ; ‘‘ I’m afraid he’s not. Any way, I’m glad he didn’t hurt you.”’ The skipper grinned unpleasantly, while his two officers stared uneasily Eomichook (Eo)