The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 91: 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. A75 denly gave way toa fierce outburst of passion. He ground his teeth and shook his huge fist in the direction of Mr. Gupp. ‘“PI] be even with that fellow yet,’’ he hissed. He turned from me and searched intently every point of the horizon. But coming back again he-shook his head. ‘‘ Nothing in sight, old man. It’s all up with the Chung Tong.”’ It was horrible to stand there and watch the slow consummation of such a dastardly piece of work ; more horrible still to feel one’s inability to pre- vent it. Yet, as Hayling had truly said, protesting was useless; and if we had been rash enough to protest with force, it would have given Captain Macshiel a decent pretext for doing that which he had previously failed to accomplish. But in the mean time the wildest excitement prevailed aboard the liner, which was now under full steam and steering almost due north. People rushed excitedly up and down her decks, while the crew lowered some sheets of canvas over the side, with the evident intention of plugging the hole. Indeed, one man was swung over in a sling, and I saw that he held a long stick in his hand with which he kept forcing the canvas into the leak. He made a pretty target as he swung there clear of the ship; but I prayed in- wardly that the rascals forward might not think as I thought, and that the brave fellow might succeed in his arduous task. | Alas! Just at that moment the sharp crack of a rifle rang out. Fora second or so I hoped the man had not been hit ; -but suddenly he drew him- self up and clutched his sling tightly, and as he did so the stick slipped from his hands. ‘There was an immediate stir among the men who were watching him, and rapidly they began to haul him up. But, quick as they were, they were not quick enough. Ere he had been drawn little more than half way up the side his hands slipped, and with a splash he fell backwards into the sea. Our sharp stem nearly struck him as we came on in the wake of the Chung Tong, and looking over the side I saw his dead, white face whizz by. But during all this time neither Mr. Gupp nor his gun had been idle, and the Chung Tong, though she gained on us at first, soon slackened down ; for the water was making great headway upon her, and she was already rapidly sinking by the bows. Indeed, as we drew off and watched, we saw her stern gradually rise until her propeller stood almost clear of the water. Then the escape pipes were opened and the steam came up in a huge cloud, making a great roaring and hissing. But wise as was the act, it came too late. Almost before we knew what had happened there was a terrific explosion, and the Chung Tong was enveloped in smoke and steam. When they cleared away there was nothing left of the big liner but a lot of wreckage. Hayling, who h~ * stood beside me during the whole of this awful scene, here uttered a greav ery, as of a beast mad with pain. Then with a fearful oath he bounded forward, I at his heels. “Damn you!’’ he yelled, shaking his fist at the captain, who still stood on the bridge. ‘‘ You shall pay for this, Macshiel!’’ He was about to swarm up the steps which led to the bridge when I seized him by the arm. ECoOmicbooks (S@)