The Argosy — page 93: 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. 285 Hayling did not Jook at me, but under his breath I heard him mutter, ‘‘ Be careful. They are ripe for anything.’’ I slipped my hands into my coat pockets and assumed my best air of indifference. In one of the pockets was a revolver, and my finger instantly curled round the trigger. The men stood hack by the bulwarks, where they formed an evil looking group of cutthroats ; Macshiel and the mate advanced. Looking up at the flags, then at the far off ship, which every minute loomed up clearer, the skipper said, ‘‘ You see that ship ?”’ ‘ Yes,’’ I replied. ‘Can you guess her name?’’ ‘The Chung Tong,’’ said I, somewhat defiantly. ‘Good ;”’ and his devilish face seemed to wrinkle with pleasure. ‘‘ Per- haps you can also guess where she comes from ?’’ y ‘“ Sydney.’’ ‘“ And what she carries ?”’ ‘““ Fifty thousand pounds in gold.’’ ‘“ Where she is bound for ?’’ ‘“ Hong Kong.”’ Wet" ‘Where then ?’”’ ‘* Hades !”’ I started, taken clean off my guard. The man’s face suddenly grew wrinkled and hideous, like a monkey's, and he seeined passionately to spit the word out. “*“T hope not,’’ said I. ‘““Well,’’ he replied, ‘‘it’s a pity, of course ; but before she goes we are going to ask her to leave her gold behind. It will be of no use in the port she’s bound for.’’ ‘“ Melt,’’ grinned the mate. ‘‘ None whatever,’’ said I, replying to the captain. ‘‘I think yours isa perfectly reasonable request.’’ ‘“ I hope so,’’ said he, with a nasty laugh. ‘‘ Are you with us?”’ ‘ First let me know your project,’’ said I, hoping in a vague sort of way that the time gained might prove beneficial. We intend to get hold of that fifty thousand. It ought to set us up for life;’? ‘“ How many of you?’’ His brows went together, and he scowled frightfully.. I had spoken rather loudly. ‘There is enough for all,’’ said he, in a low, meaning voice. ‘‘ But suppose her captain refuses to part with it?’’ ‘“'We shall make him.’’ “How?” ‘We have a gun forward, and our third mate, Mr. Gupp, was once a gunner in the Royal Navy.”’ ‘Then you will sink her unless she surrenders ?’’ ‘““ Precisely.’’ 7 comicbook (<0)