The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

494 THE ARGOSY. 7 have a decidedly aggressive way about you— a way I don’t like. Why the deuce can’t you mind your own business, and not pit yourself against me on every possible occasion ?’’ ‘‘I hope I am not such a fool as to pit myself against you,’’ said I. ‘“The unfortunate thing is that our interests always seem to clash.’’ ‘‘You are indeed a fool if you let your interests clash with mine. You niust know who is master, and that what the master wishes is law.’’ ‘That is just it,’? I answered, with a meaning drawl. ‘‘ Who 7s the master ?’”’ 3 At this his eyes burned keenly, and he rubbed his neck whiskers sharply —a habit of his which was anything but pleasant to watch. In some vague way it seemed to remind one of the noose and the white cap. “You ought to have known by this time that there is only one master aboard this vessel.’’ ‘Then why did Gupp and the mate take it upon themselves to put Hay- ling away ?”’ ' “Look here,’’ he said, anger and curiosity streaking his face with omi- nous lines; ‘‘I am the man to ask questions. Hayling was put away for a good cause, and there he’ll stay.’’ I could see he knew what was passing in my mind, and no man who has once been in authority likes to feel that authority slipping from him. Rather than I should think such a thing, he was even willing to apologize for the insubordinate Gupp. ‘But what has he done that you should put him below and starve him ?”’ ‘“Who told you that yarn ?”’ ‘SHe did.” He laughed incredulously. ‘“Rot ! But understand, this is my affair.’’ ** And mine.’”’ He laughed harshly. ‘Yours! What has it to do with you?’’ ‘‘ Rverything.’’ His grin became more unpleasant. ‘Oh, very well. There’s the key of the storeroom.’’ And he pointed to a short brass key that hung on a hook above his bunk. ‘‘ He’s down there somewhere ; go and force your way through the bulkhead and let him out.’’ ‘*T intend to.’’ ‘“T would if I were you,’’ he sneered. ‘‘ You look just the man who could do it.’’ It did not need this taunt to further my purpose. I had not entered into this argument with him without due consideration. Living, as I did, from day to day—almost from hour to hour—in an exasperating state of nervous uncertainty, I knew that I had nothing to gain from him and everything to lose. The security of four o’clock might change to imprisonment at five ; and the sea was such a handy place to tip a fellow into. Therefore my mind was made up, and though I failed to win him over to my side I meant to go straight on. Comicbooks com ie