Adventure Magazine Cover — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

Pearl-Hunger affirmed, as if there was need of affirmation. They had been in a calm most of the night, and dawn, drawing back the curtains between east and west, showed them “Black” McGree’s brigantine. “Why Black McGree! I know Black McGree,” said Oxenham. ‘“An’ what do ye know of him?” de- manded Wateman, irritably. “Why, twice I’ve turned over my copra to him.”’ ‘An’ he didn’t cheat ye?” “Cheat me? No. He never carried it in his own ship, but he always got it shipped for me according to agreement.” “Then it were the other feller he cheated,” said Wateman. ‘He don’t do business ’les’ he can cheat somebody. Ain’t his idee of business!”’ “T never believed the things that were said of him until after he came aboard this ship there in Lianfo,’’ Oxenham explained. “Well,” said Heddon, ‘‘you’ll have some other things to believe if he gets a suspicion that we are short-handed. Two to one, he’ll try to lay aboard us anyhow. You'll make just about two good mouthfuls for him—if he isn’t very hungry.” Heddon had spoken with only a glance toward Oxenham, and continued peering across the water. “There’s twenty if there’s a ——’s son among ’em,’’ Wateman said, handing the glass back to Heddon. “He was very nearly on the point of carrying off Gloria!” Raeburn put in. Oxenham remarked that he did not be- lieve Black McGree would do a thing like that. No. It was unthinkable. “T did it,’’ said Heddon. “But you—that was different. You— you brought her to her sister. And you— you wouldn’t really hurt a woman!’’ Oxen- ham’s faith in Heddon had been greatly restored by the way he had pulled her out of the water and worked to bring her to life. “You’d better be quiet or I’ll do some- thing to show you you are wrong again,” Heddon answered irritably. Oxenham stood in misty puzzlement. He seemed to have a way of drawing ill- natured replies, however cautiously he spoke, from both Wateman and Heddon. For a time he looked across the water at the toy-like ship. Then, with sudden decision, he hurried off and disappeared down the companionway. 59 “What’s the matter with that feller?” Wateman demanded with querulous exas- peration, fumbling from one pocket to an- other for tobacco. Not finding it, he sucked noisily on his empty pipe. ‘“‘What’s the matter with him, Will? I want to cuss ever’ time he opens his mouth!” “He’s all right,’’ Heddon answered care- lessly. “One of the best fellows in the world. But doesn’t speak our language— that’s all.” “T guess ye’re right. He is like a —— furriner. He’s all right, o’ course—but he ought t’ ’ave stayed at home.” Wateman absent-mindedly put a match to his empty pipe and puffed, then, mutter- ing in disgust, threw the match aney but did not fill his pipe. “They say McGree has carried off nate girls,’ Raeburn remarked for no apparent reason. “T’ve got two women I’d like to give him,” said Heddon indifferently, his eye to the glass. “T’d like to have seen him when he found out about those pearls—that weren’t pearls!” “Well, Jack, he either laughed—or killed somebody!” said Heddon. “Aye, that’s right, Will.” Wateman flourished an arm. ‘Ye can never tell how he’ll take a thing. Them times he fought with ye, he’d laugh when ye hit him hardest.” “You can’t hurt him—with a fist.” Heddon passed the glass to Raeburn. Wateman chuckled— “We'll give him back his anchor if he wants it, eh?” “We'll give him nothing!’ Heddon an- swered. “They’re lowering, Will! Here—look!” Raeburn thrust back the glass. Heddon took it, unhurriedly raised and glanced through it, then passed it over to Wateman, saying: “Break out the rifles, Jack. Nobody is going to set foot on this deck without getting shot.” Raeburn hurried off at a trot. “Aye,” cried Wateman. “It’s two boats they’re gittin’ away!” “We can keep off a dozen,” said Heddon, scowling. “But they’re pickin’ up a hawser, Will! Great Judas, I b’lieve they’re—Will, they’re goin’ to tow her ’longside o’ us! We can’t keep her off. Now what are we goin’ to do?” Heddon looked carefully at the empty NOOK 1 @)