Argosy All-Story Weekly — 'The Metal Monster' — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

~ way running up to the promenade-deck, The upper deck was divided into two portions: forward were the smoking-room, social hall, captain’s quarters, and small promenade-deck; abaft a rail was the boat- deck, with the wireless office situated at the after-end. Forward and aft on the main deck were two big well-decks, each with two hatches. | The wind that swept out of the dark howled down the alleyways as if bent on rending the ship apart. At first, this wind beat the sea flat. But quickly it began to whip it up into greater and greater fury. The Barbuda, heading directly into the teeth of it, seemed to feel the hand of the gale at her throat. She seemed to shudder like a human being—to struggle to free herself from the seas which were now sweeping down upon her, flooding her well-decks and battering against her house. -They came at her over the fo’c’s’le- head, racing across Nos. 1 and 2 hatches and smashing up against the bridge-casing like battering-rams. It was not long ‘before the saloon-deck was flooded with the seas that leaped high over the rails. The water sloshed heavily up and down the alleyways, coming aboard faster than the meager scuppers could carry it off. It slopped against the doors of the pas- sengers’ rooms. Men and women, hearing it and opening these deors to look out, became panic-stricken at the sight that met their eyes. This, added to the mighty roar of the wind, struck terror into their hearts. It seemed to them the Barbuda must be sinking. Katrina Fleming’s cheeks had lost their pallor; her eyes their dead look. She glowed. “T needed this, * she said to herself. needed this to beat some life into me, and to stir up the blood in my veins. Oh, to be up on the bridge now!’’ There came that . sudden change in her eyes. . “ To be swept out of life in something as great as this!” Her breath caught. For a moment she held it. ‘Why not? Ive nothing left—less than nothing! THE DERELICT. ae | (si “T’ve only to go back to that terrible city, at the end of this trip, and try again and again for work that I cannot seem to do. And among those horrible men—those beasts! If I disappear in this storm, Cap- tain Buchanan will think I’ve been swept overboard! ‘““Oh, daddy!” she gasped. “ Daddy, you won't think me cowardly, will you? You don’t know—you can’t—what I’ve been through! I can’t go back toit. You wouldn’t ask me! Maybe, somewhere— somewhere, I shall find you. I’ve missed you so!” Two quick tears welled up into her eyes, but she dashed them out, turned, and left the room. | Out on deck, the wind whipped into her face and shut off her breathing. She turned her back to it, for a second, clinging to a hand-rail. Water was racing from side to side of the alleyway, and Katrina’s shoes and skirts were instantly soaked. ' She was standing like this when she felt a hand on her arm and heard a Yoice close at her ear. “Tt help you to the social hall. The chief steward is sending every one up there, and I’ve been enlisted into service. I’m acting as guide or propeller for ladies who find it difficult to make headway against this gentle West Indian zephyr!” Katrina looked up into the mocking eyes of Lawrence Thorpe. He was clinging to the hand-rail with one hand and to her arm with the other. He was bareheaded and his hair was in great disorder. His trousers were rolled up above his knees and his feet and legs were bare. Katrina had never thought any one could look so wild dnd yet be so calm. ‘ “] think I can make it alone,” she man- aged to shout to him above the storm. ‘* You help some one else who may be sick or frightened.” “Tl do that after I’ve Relped you, al- though I am glad to see you’re neither sick’ nor afraid,” he answered quietly, and she felt him drawing her away from the rail and turning her about to struggle forward to the companionway. It was bad enough in the slight lee formed by the house as they went forward; (GO) (C UL OOO UN S (CO