Argosy, September 1955 — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

Yee ORLA a ee ROWAN AYERS M.L.,” said Michael, ‘‘ converted.’”’ He was aware of his own short temper, but it couldn’t be helped. ‘“ What’s M.L.?” ‘Motor launch. All ready, bowman?”’ All ready, sir.”’ Michael looked desperately along the short jetty towards the deserted shore. Even two or three more passengers would help. But apart from the few anglers standing silently by their rods, and three naval ratings walking unsteadily along the jetty, there secmed little prospect of increasing his load. ‘ Let go, forrard,” he called. To eastward he noted that the Mary Lou had already begun to move off. ‘“ Ali gone, forrard,” said Leo, with bored résiomations As Silver Streak drifted clear of the jetty, Michael went into the wheelhouse, and revved up the engines before engaging gear. But even as he pushed the gear-lever of the port engine forward, from the jetty. ‘The three naval ratings, whom he’d noticed earlier, were leaning over the chain-linked rails, waving and — calling insistently. “Hil Silver Streak! Lieutenant Hancock, sir! It’s us, | ? Knocker and Brew... ‘There was something about their voices and their faces that y came groping back into his brain, shufHing up the assorted images of the past ten years like a pack of cards, and dealing out a small but familiar hand. Knocker and Brew. Like a music-hall turn, the two names joined hands and came out from behind the curtain... Knocker White and Leading Seaman Brewis. 'They’d been two of the best ratings he’d ever had under him in Coastal Forces. ‘“Can we come for a trip round the flipping lighthouse?” shouted Knocker. He was a burly six-footer, with bright car- roty hair and a broad, flat nose, His cap, pulled well down over his forehead in the approved “ pusser ”’ fashion, seemed several sizes too small. : ‘“ Hang on,” shouted Michael, “ I’ll bring her back alongside.” As the Silver Streak edged astern to the landing-stage, the three of them jumped lightly aboard, saluting as they did so, like truant liberty-men returning to the quarter-deck after an illicit all-night leave. Knocker ied the way to the wheelhouse. ‘“‘ Leading Seaman White, sir,” he said, grinning hugely, “ and party of two, reporting for duty.” Brewis and the third rating followed noisily. ‘There was, Michael comichooks: com! . id Bok aN a et I A ll oS a ng 241k pein nay, Fa s » é ’ rr] ert se ~ ’ tare he was checked by the sounds of loud and determined shouting 7.