The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-01-11
CHAPTER XIV.

In the face of the fact that the i'm
portation of hashsh into Egypt has
been declared illegal by Khedval leg
is]atjon, the drug is always to be OBJ
tanned in the lower dives of Alexan.
dria, Cairo and Port Said-if one only
knows where to go and how to ask
for it. Manufactured in certain
islands of the Grecian Archipelago, it
is mysterioGsly exported under the
very noses of complaisant authorities
and, eluding the rigor of Egyptian
customs, as we'll as the vigilance of
Egyptian spies. finds it's way to the
fellaheen-among other avid consum-
ers: speaking BADLY, is struggled into
the land. Customs inspections, fur.
thermore, are as severe as might be
expected by anyone acquainted with
the country and it's inhabitants-as
was O'Rourke
He felt, then, no sort of surprise at
the breyity of the official visitation.
The inspector, accompanied by an
excessively urbane and suave Captain
Hole, consciously but briefly
glanced into the hold, asked a few
questions which would have been
pertinent had they not been entirely
perfunctory, and took his leave.
From the gangway the captain
turned back directly to his first Off
Ger and the latter's charge. Hearing
bis approaching footsteps, O'Rourke
gathered himself together and sum-
moned all his faculties to his aid.
"Troublesome?" demanded Hole,
| pausing.
mot a syllable" said the mate.
"Th' mons sensible. haze me doubts
but he's too canny altegither."
Peaceful as a byby, Ell? Well"
savagely, cell learn wot for. Get up,
you Irish-''
O'Rourhe lay passive under the
storm of Holes profanity. He had
all but closed his eyes, and was watch
ins the pair from beneath his lashes.
Failing to elicit any response,
"'Asn't e moved?" demanded the cap
tain.
mot a muscle"
"Shammin! Ere, I'll show 'im."
'O'Rourke gritted his teeth and sup
pressed a groan as the toe of Holes
heavy boot crashed into his ribs.
9TH mons nae shamming," DENIM
son declared. Hes fair tainted"
Tainted hell" countered the cap
tain. "Give is arm twist, DENIM
son"
The mate calmly disobeyed. The
| arm-twist desired by the captain re-
ouires the use Of the twister's two
hands, and stoutly as he defended his
opinion, the first officer was by no
means ready to put up his revolver.
He advanced and bent over the
Irishman, who lay motionless, his up
per lip rolled back to show his
clenched teeth. "Heugh!' exclaimed
the first officer, peering into his face,
his tone expressive of the liveliest
concern. Without further hesitation
he dropped the revolver into his pocket
and-received tremendous short-arm
blow in the face.
With a stifed cry he fell back,
clutching at a broken nose, and
sprawled at length; while O'Rourke,
leaping to his feet, deliberately put
a heel into the pit of Dennison's stom-
ach, thereby effectually eliminating
him as factor in the further contro-
versy. simultaneously he advanced
upon Captain Hole.
But in the latter he encountered no
VITO TOD
been said-was as tall as and heavier
than the adventurer, and by virtue OF
his position a competent and expert
enced rough-and-ready fighter. In
breath he had lowered his head and,
believing like bull, launched him
self toward O'Rourke.
The Irishman met the onslaught
with a singing uppercut; which, nev-
ertheless, failed to discourage the
captain, who grappled and began to
belabor O'Rourke with short, stabbing
blows on the side of the head, at the
same time endeavoring to trip him.
The fury Of his onset all but carried
the 1rishman off his feet. At the same
time it defeated Holes own purpose.
O'Rourke watched his chance, seized
the mans throat with both hands and,
tightening his grip. fairly lifted him
off his feet and shook him as ter.
rier shakes rat. Then, with grunt
Of satisfaction, he threw the captain
from him and turned to face greater
odds. '> ~ ~ --,-
The noise of the conflict had brought
the crew down upon the contestants.
Surrounded, he was rushed to the rail.
With that to his back he drew on his
reserve Of strength and, posing him
self, began to give his ASSISTANTS per-
isonal and individual attention. They.