The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

——EEEEEEE—————————————— eee 472 THE ARGOSY, ‘““Well?’’ answered the captain, whose rage was so great that he could scarcely control himself. “I am very sorry, sir,’’ said Hayling, ‘‘ but my orders are imperative. You must hand it over.’’ ‘‘ And if I refuse?”’ ‘“'We shall probably send you to the bottom.’’ The man’s face grew absolutely purple, and he clutched the rai! convul- sively. A very torrent of passion raged within him. ‘* And if I hand you over the money ?”’ ‘You will be at liberty to proceed on your voyage.’’ He turned to the little group which surrounded him, though he especially addressed his remarks to a distinguished looking gray headed man who seemed to be a passenger of some consequence. Fora few moments several excited voices were heard, and then the captain turned to us. ‘“I accept your terms,’’ he bellowed; ‘“‘ but if it wasn’t for my passen- gers I’d see you damned !”’ Hayling saluted, replying coldly, ‘‘When you’ve got the boxes up I'll come alongside to receive them.’’ Much bustling and excitement followed, particularly among the passen- gers aft. ‘There were several of these, anong whom I noticed a woman, a young girl of about twenty, whose fair hair shone brilliantly in the sunlight, and whose face, notwithstanding its eager, terrified expression, was one of singular sweetness. The aforementioned distinguished looking old gentle- man came aft and spoke to her, and tried to lead her below; but she shook her head without turning, fixing us with such a look of horror that I could have jumped overboard for shame. ‘“Confound that girl!’’ muttered Hayling. ‘‘ Why doesn’t she go below ?’’ I couldn’t say, but I sympathized with our worthy second mate. Presently a man came to the side and waved for us to approach, and in him I recognized the young officer who had come off to us. As we drew near we came almost under where the young girl stood, and though I knew what I might expect, I could not help looking. Neither could Hayling. Yet one quick glance was quite enough. I think there were not at that moment two more contemptible men on the high seas than Hayling and I. I looked at him, but his lips had gone close together, and his face had grown erimly repellent. We came alongside just where the officer stood, and quickly the first box, securely slung in a net, was lowered to us. ‘There ought to be ten of these boxes,’’ said Hayling, in his roughest, eruffest voice. ? ‘Quite right,’’ said the officer, looking hard at my companion. Hayling dropped his eyes; but the other, leaning further over, said in an altered tone—a tone not unmixed with curiosity : ‘“T say.”’ ‘Well? ’’ said Hayling, without looking up. ‘*Did you ever know a fellow called Frank Hayling ?’’ Eomicbooks (S()