Argosy, September 1955 — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

BOTH WATCHES OF THE HANDS 109 Even the small boy, by now partly dried out, seemed con- verted to the new order of things. “Thanks, mister,’”’ he said, “‘ that was smashing.” And his large, laminated mother, smiled warmly as she took him away. ‘‘ We'd better hurry along,” she said, “or you’ll catch your death of cold.” As she clambered laboriously up the seaweed-covered steps, Michael remembered the neat, deadly parabola of the cotton waste as it fell unerringly upon the cringing enemy Somehow, he felt, she deserved a medal. ‘““Tve always wanted to do something like that, all my life,” confided one of the more elderly members of the disbanded starboard watch, as he bade adieu to Michael and the three ratings. But as the passengers moved away, Michael could see the Mary Lou hurrying back at her full five knots, and he knew that neither Thwaites nor the rest of the drenched passengers would be prepared to take quite such a philosophical view of the proceedings. ‘“ Petty Officer Brewis,” he called out, as he switched off the engines, and came out onto the deck, “ I think the order of the day is splice the main brace—and splice it pretty smartly.” ‘Ay, ay, sir,” said Brew. ‘‘ Splice the main brace. Shall I make a signal to that effect, or can we take it as read? ”’ ‘“ Let’s take it as read,” said Michael, looking nervously at the approaching motor boat. “The enemy is close at hand.” ‘“ Ay, ay, sir,” said Knocker mischievously. ‘“‘ Come on, Brew, and c’mon, Puddenead. We ’aven’t got all day to closing-time. Come on, sir,” he added, seizing Michael by the arm, “ let’s get under way.”’ Linking arms, the four of them walked quickly up the jetty towards the shelter and protection of one of the pubs ashore, only glancing back once to see if Skipper Thwaites was yet in pursuit. ‘Full ahead both, Knocker,” said Michael, as they saw the damp and dirty owner of the Mary Lou clambering up the wooden steps to the jetty. “‘ We’re going to need all she’s got.” ‘“That’s all right, sir,’’ said Brew, setting an intolerably fast pace. “ We'll look after you.” From now on, Michael considered, the Navy was going to have to look after him for a long time to come, and he found the prospect immensely pleasing * * * When you have finished reading this copy of ARGosY, why noi pass it on to a member of H.M. Forces ? comiclbooks.conn