Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

394 Then only did thé tardy passenger move. He rose, went forward past the pantry almost to the hot kitchen and stopped before the purser’s cabin. It was open and the officer within. “ The purser? ” he asked. “ Quite right!” “TI want a berth—full cabin pre- ferred.” ‘“Can’t you show a ticket?” de- manded the English officer. “ No; I had no time to procure one.” “You're the chap that came aboard in such a bloomin’ ’urry. Why in thun- der do you wait till we’re out o’ the ’ar- bor before you open your ’ead? You knew it was against the rules to sella passage on the ship, now didn’t you? ” “ That’s neither here nor there—I’m here, and what are you going to do about ite” He spoke ill temperedly, but sudden- ly changed ‘his tone as he observed the florid purser grow even redder yet. “Pardon me, I’m all upset with ex- citement and worry. It was only this morning that our house received a ca- blegram that requires my immediate presence in—in London. I had only time to pack a bag or two and jump . into a cab.” “ Really!” ejaculated the other. ‘‘ So please put me down for the best you can under the circumstances, and for heaven’s sake ring for the steward, and let us have a bracer.” A few minutes later the purser had booked “ Mr. J. Meredith Cozzens ” for the only remaining cabin—No. 97. Mr. Cozzens, alone in this cubby- hole at last, paid no attention to its small dimensions or its uncomfortable berths curving along the ship’s bow. He sank upon the cushioned settee under the single port and murmured : “ That was a close shave, but—but the end is not yet! ”’ IT. sucH a day! Cold, gray, heavy, creepy! A thick, almost suffocating THE ARGOSY. blanket of fog pressed down over the waters, so dense and so soggy that one could almost wring the moisture out of it. Mrs. Mountain, dressed in deep mourning, was assisted up the broad stairway by her two manly looking sons, also in deep black. Really, mother, you should not be on deck in such weather!” protested Guy for the third or fourth time. ‘“ Anything, Guy, to get out of that sickening atmosphere. Where have you put my chair, Schuyler? ” “As far away from the boilers and that roaring ” a fearful blast likethe roar of a giant interrupted the elder son’s sentence. It was the powerful steam fog horn, but even its vibrating note seemed muf- fled, and while it made the very ship tremble, one could almost feel its vi- brations beaten back by the arras of mist and moisture that hung round the slow going vessel. “ This is indeed a frightful fog!” ex- claimed Mrs. Mountain, when they had emerged on the deck. “I cannot even see the quarter—Oh!” again that fear- iul blast that issued as suddenly as a thunder clap. “Here is your chair, mother,” said ochuyler. “ Spread that rug on the seat first, Guy. There! Now sit down, mother, and let us tuck these others in around you.” “TI really have never experienced such a dense fog off the Banks before in all my ten or twelve voyages, and— but why haven’t you your overcoats on? Go right down and get them.” ‘ All right, mother, directly. But see over by the rail—that man with his back toward us. That is the peculiar fellow { was telling you about—the one who rushed on board at the last moment and who keeps so much in his cabin,” said Schuyler. “Tsn’t it queer? I have never seen him since we started, except at night, and then he has always been in some corner all alone,” added Guy. coniicboo! SS CO