The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1911-05-19
CHAPTER XXIV.-(continued.)

She came directly to the adYenturer,
without so much as a glance for the
group of lascars or the grim evidences
of tragedy upon the deck. O'Rourke
shut his teeth with evaporation.
Whatever he decided to celieye of the
8erang, whether his judgment said Of
the man, Guilty" or Not Guilty" he
dared risk nothing with the woman
present, He could not tell what hell
Of murder and mutiny he might not let
loose upon the Rance, did he make
one W.adVised or hasty move. Alone,
he could have faced the situation with
eQuanimity; with the woman by his
side, be felt as though h%andcuffed.
You are hurt, Colonel O'Rourke?'
"A mere scratch, madam-an inch
Of skin shaved off me arm. Be good
enough to return to the saloon, waken
Danny and send him to me-"
She ignored the curtness of his tone,
even as she ignored his wish. What
has happened?" she demanded, rang
Ing herself by his side. "WhO is that
there on the deck?" Her voice ris-
ing a note, foreboded hysteria
"Quick-stabbed. | didn't want ye
TO see. A lascar ran amok, cut down
the captain, was killed himself-kind-
ness" the ir~repressible humorist
broke out" of our little brown brother,
the serang."
His eyes never left the latter; not
an Instant did he take his attention
from the cluster Of dark figures; he
was more than every ready to defend
himself should they make any overt
move, deeming his attention distract
cd.
What will you do?"
How can l say? Do ye, for the
love Of God, get below and leave me
to deal with these feIds in me own
fashion"
Which," she returned equally, rs
precisely what l shall not do"
If that's the case," he said brus-
quely, have the kindness 20 hand me
The revolver by the captains side, and
-ye might see II the poor fellow still
lives"
be heard a quick rustic Of skirts
and the woman's hand closed over his,
pressing into his palm the 7eapon he
mad desired. As promptly, without
further words, she turned to Quick.
The ~adventurer d~eliberated briefly,
while she bent over the captain, max
ing a hurried examination. HE is
badly wounded" O'Rourke heard her
say, as he arrived at his decision, but
not dead"
Praise God for that! l
must ask We, madam, to back me up.
1t Is necessary to clear the decks. Are
!e ready?" He saw, out of the tail
Of his eye, that she had sprung to her
leeI Now, ye curs," he Numbered,
with a menacing pistol in either hand,
get forward, the lot of ye. Move, ye
~blackguards!"
they went expeditiously, crowding
between the deck-house and the rail,
nuddling together as II for mutual pro-
tec'ion' The serang was the last to
move and went reluctantly, or seemed
10.
".
Yet that was no time to Judge him
tor a minor fault. O'Rourke herded
Tue pack before him, watched them
scFamble down the ladder to the fore
UecK, then backed to the spot where
,ue woman stood above the captain.
rns arm was palning him somewhat,
WIN the irritating, singing ache that
auVu wounds produce, and he thrust
SHe revolver into his pocket, clasping
lSnd above the hurt.
~ a flash realization of his loss
s'tne 70 him; he clutched the rail with
sery' The Pool OF Flame, his sacred
suSt, was gonel His eyes searched
ne ueck wildly, but found no trace Of
ne round leather bag with its preci-
a. urden Despair gripped his heart
: clutch of Ice. and for a space the
reeied about him. g..
ne found himself gazing blankly in
NE Woman's solicitous eyes. What