Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-06
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

and had started i'm on rum talked and talk
ed and talked. O'Keefe heard what ne had
TO saw He found out that Captain jerks
of the Sarah Margaret has led CUES
tionable life among the denlZens Oh 'he
underworld in the eastern metropolis ana
had graduated to assume the position Oh
mate on a smuggling craft; had hnaiy
been Jailed and imprisoned for a serious .',
offensC, and on his liberation had souSit
Tn. Pacific coast: 10y some deal had DouSht
the Sarah Margaret, and had ehS'Stu
I'm quasi-legitimate fTeiShtlnS business,
one that rested always under suspicion: anu
that he had acquired gradually but surely
a reputation the greatest shanShdlhs
captain the coast, title OF Whlch ne
was justly proud. O'keefe was Wiling 10
acknowledge that Captain jerks hau earn
ed il at any rate.
O'Kecfe gathered from the captains con-
versation. although the captain did not
acknowledge it, that Constitutional Smith
in his way a greater man than Cap
tain jerks. and that he was one OF the
very few great criminals in the country.
jerks pretended familiarity with most OF
Smiths exploits, though 1t is doubtful
whether he really knew of many. But
O'Keefe. allowing for the exaggerations for
which the rum and the captain were re-
sponsible. began soon to understand The
strength. the cleverness and the finesse OF
this man Smith.
And as the captain talked and talked
Ellington O'Keefe gradually began to I'M
0erStand the SITUATION, or part OF II ut
least And he realized now that he had
the confidence of the captain, the very
great Importance of his returning to Mon
roe.
piest mood Okeefe touched him on the
knee. jerks, he said, impressiVely.
What Ia the very soonest l can get boat
back to the coast?'
Back exclaimed jerks What d'you
want to go back for? You're safe here.
There amt no cops behind you. You don't
want 20 go back Stay there an well have
good old time OF it; That's what.
back" he answered Ito get even with The
fellow that did me up. That's why
This was a cond ton of affairs which
Captain jerks appreciated Revenge he
considered was one of the finest inventions
of Providence. or of men, The desire for
revenge he knew to be one of the finest
qualities of the human race. He under
stood il completely. But, nevertheless, he
wanted to keep his old crony, Smith. with
him for a while With men who were in
his own class jerks was fond of good fell
lowship.
But I'll tell you what. Smith" he finally
remarked. Its all right. We can sight
vessel in a day or two and we can put
you aboard by hook or crook And I'll do
it an glad to, If you'll give me your word
to take a cruise with me the next time
I'm back at Frisco, or Monroe. Monroe's
the handiest. and I'll probably be back
there afore l expected to, an youn me can
l'tht II ~ ~ an nave al tiilie
O'Keefe acquiesced, and 1t became bar
gain. But for day or two three
sail hove in sight. And when one did at
last the situation had changed to such
the Sarah Margaret
For there had come a sudden squall out
of clear sky, and it was necessary for all
hands the Sarah Margaret to turn to
and trim sail-and even clear the decks
For time even the Sarah Margaret
found ii necessary to drive along under
bare poles. very fierce was the blast.
The squdll itself did not last long, however,
but It's indirect effect was felt aboard the
Sarah Margaret. And its indirect effect
was internecine strife. And it happened in
this wise.
1t will be remembered that at the start
Ellington O'Keefe had announced himself
by his true name. 1t will also be remem-
bered that he did not particularly insist
upon his identity because of fear that the
captain might possibly hold him for ram
som, or bleed him in some other manner
He had, therefore. been very careful to hide
any actual evidence of his identity. even
though he had upon the second Occ ision re-
iterated that he was Ellington y keefe.
Ellington OKeefe all his life had been
used to more or less manual labor. In the
Klondike when every shovelful dug out OF
the banks Of earth meant a small fortune
in itself. perhaps, he had worked ike
beaver. And his methods of work were like
those of mankind the world over; he usually
rolled up his sleeves, spat on his hands ana
started In.
But ever since his advent upon the Sarah
Margaret he had been careful not to OBJ
serve one of these formalities. He had
worked, and he had with frequency mois-
tened his palms. blistered as they were. in
the ld-time way. But he not roll up his
sleeves.
But since the discovery by Captain jerks
that he was Constitutional Smith his lot
had been SO easy aboard the Sarah Mar
garet, and his identity so well established
and understood, that he had become easy
L.. af,,I a,tl r1nF q. 70
conduct.
And when the storm struck the Sarah
Margaret, and the captain and all hands
set themselves to work. b ellington O'Keefe
rolled up his shirt sleeves with the rest and
started In.
After the storm abated the captain stroll
ed over toward o Keefe-
''Thunderin big blow, Constitutional, he
remarked didn't last long, though" He
caught sight of the arm of Ellington
Okeefe.
Gee, Smith" he said, catching hold OF
II, you haven't got the arm you used TO
have. You got a good arm fr man
your heavy build. but you haven't got the
arm you used to have. But, by the Lord
He caught O'Keefe by both arms and
stood gazing at them. The arms were lib
orally ornamented with tattoo marks.
What is this?' he repeated. He looked
frst at the right arm and then at the left.
and kept looking at each one in turn And
Bmington O'Keefe knew then that he had
made the mistake OF his life.
For on his right arm. in large. deep blue
letters, and in fancy scroll. appeared the
one word "Billington." And upon the left
arm with the same amount OF elaboration.
appeared the word "O'Keefe." These were
the marks of identity of the famous klon-
dixie king.
The captain gazed at them in astonish-
ment Then making sudden lunge. he tore
omen tle shirt of O'keefe and gazed upon
his breast There. also. was carefully
tattooed design.
''Hen and blazes," shouted Captain
jerks you're a damned impostor You
amt Constitutional Smith. Constitutional
Smith amt got no marks like that. l know
tust what he's got He's got dancing girl
on his right arm, and he's got his initials,
IL K'-Hezekiah Smith-on his breast.
That's what he's got. An, by George.
you're an impostor, that's what you are.
You amt Constitutional Smith. Not by a
derned sight. Hay. Bullitt"' he yelled to
his mate.
When Bullitt arrived Captain jerks was
beside himself with anger; he was once
more in a frenzy rage. But he was more
deliberate this time.
'Bullitt." he yelled. what do you think
OF this here? Here this son of @ seacook
told me that he was Constitutional Smith
Il told you l was Ellington O'Keefe,"
protested the offender. ~ told you time
and time again"
You shut your mouth" exclaimed the
oNt. INtn I'd