The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-02-29

w hSN 'uAlpllCdtiOu, III Tue Sndpe
of Mrs. Prynne herself. That lady
came up the companion steps with no
apparent hesitation, no fear or appre-
hension; quietly and confidently alert,
on the other hand, she was visibly II
armed and prepared against danger in
whatever form she might have to en-
counter II.
She came directly to the adventurer,
without so ouch as 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 lelieve of the |,
serang, whether his judgment said Of
the man. Guilty" or Not Guilty" he !
dared risk nothing with the woman |
present lie could not tell what Eell !
Of murder and mutiny he might not let :
loose upon the Rance, did he make |
one ill-advised or hasty move. Alone, |
he could have faced the situation with |
euuanimty; with the woman by his |
side, he felt as though handcuffed.
"You are hurt, Colonel O'RourlSeg"
"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 note, foreboded hysteria.
| gta At
to see. A lascar ran amok, cut down
the captain, was killed himself-kind.
| ness" the irrepressible 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 say? Do ye. for the
love of God, get below and leave me
to deal with these tends in me own
fashion
(which" she returned equally, us
precisely what l shall not do"
IF that's the case" he said brus-
Quely, have the kindness to hand me
the revolver by the captains side, and
-ye might see II the poor fellow still
lives"
He heard a quick rustic Of skirts
; and the womans hand closed over his,
pressing into his palm the weapon he
had desired. As promptly, without
: further words, she turned to Quick.
The adventurer deliberated briefly,
while she bent over the captain, max.
, ing q hurried examination. He is
badly wounded" O'Rourke heard her
. say, as he arrived at his decision, but
= not dead"
Praise God for that!
T must ask We, madam, to back me up
1t Ia necessary to clear the decks. Are
i We ready?" He saw, out OF the tai
h of his eye, that she had sprung to he
g feet.f Now, ye curs," he Numbered
!: with menacing pistol in either hand
n blackguards!
s They went expeditiously, crowdin,
S between the deck-house and the rail
budding together as II for mutual pre-
|, lection. The serang was the last t
o move, and went reluctantly, or seeme'
G to.
N Yet that was no time to judge hin
e for minor fault. O'Rourke herde
;, the pack before him, watched ther
H., he
v deck, then backed to the spot wher
& the woman stood above the captain
His arm was paining him somewhat
g with the Irritating, singing ache tina
ia such wounds produce, and he thrus
l. one revolver into his pocket, claspin
q q hand above the hurt.
IS In fash realization Of his los
is came to him; he clutched the rail wit
cry. The Pool of Flame, his sacre
IA trust, was gone! His eyes searche
10 the deck wildly, but found no trace {
"a the round leather bag with Its prec
IA GUS burden. Despair gripped his heai
IN in clutch Of Ice, and for space tn
ship reeled about him.
. He found himself gazing blankly Il
n to the woman's solicitous eyes. "Wh,
- is It? What is it," he heard her vote
al repeating breathlessly. He knew thi
-, his own lips moved for some secont
,w' without sound as he strove to answ'
her. The words, when they cam
should have. been quite unintelligib
~ to her; he realized this almost as 300
~ as he had uttered them: THE Pc
~ of Flannel"
Then he stumbled forward, cryiI
90 aloud for the serang. Halfway to Il
Us ladder he halted; that individual
:. head and shoulders were lifting abo'
- the level Of the deck. O'Rourke CO
cred him and called him aft as
~ again retreated to the scene Of q
te, IInpadY