The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-01-12

waiting at the gangway. From over
side arose the splutter Of launch-a
raucous sound, yet one that barely rip
pied the surface of O'Rourke's con-
sciousness. He stepped quickly to
the captains side and touched him
gently on the arm.
captain" he said quickly, "Pll be
asking the favor Of a word with ye In
private.'
Hole caught the CLEAN of the Irish
mans eye in the lamplight and
stepped back a pace.
Get forrard," he said curtly. "Carn't
you see the customs officer coming
aboard? I'll see you later"
"Ye will not. Yell hear ne now,
captain"
Hole backed further away. "Wot!"
he barked hoarsely, raising his voice.
"Wot! I'll show you 'oo's master
aboard this ship. Get forrard to your
quarters! s'help-me-gawd!" he ex,
ploded violently. 400 ever heard the
like of it?''
O'Rourke stepped nearer, his fists
closing. Drop that tone, ye scud!"
he cried. "D'ye want me to spoil your
little game?''
The shot went home The captain
gasped, and in the darkness O'Rourke
fancied he lost a shade or two of his
ruddy color.
"Wotcher mean?" he demanded, low
ering his tone.
II mean," replied O'Roucke in a
quick whisper, that the Egyptian Gus
toms officer is at the side. Return
what ye've stolen from me this day,
or I'll tell the whole harbor what
ye've been up to! And, if ye want
me to be more explicit, perhaps the
word 'hashish' will refresh your mem
ory!'
"pll talk to you later"
yell give me back me property this
minute Or"
O'Rourke was at the rail in stride
Shall I tell him." he demanded.
A swift step sounded beside him
He turned an instant too late, who had
reckoned without Dennison. AS he
moved to protect himself the first Of
fcer's fist caught the Irishman just
under the ear. And one hundred and
seventy-fve pounds Of man and malice
we're behind it. O'Rourke shot into
the scuppers as though kicked by a
mule, struck his head against piece
Of iron work and lay still, half
stunned, shutting his teeth savagely
upon moan.
Hole and the first mate stood over
him, and the captains voice, guarded
but clear enough, came to his ear:
You'll lie there, me man, and not
so much as whimper till I give you
leave. Take 'eed wot I says. Mr.
Dennison ERE is goin' to clean is re-
yolver."
O'Rourke lay silent, save for his
quick breathing. The first officer
grinning malevolently, sat down nea1
at hand, keeping basilisk eye upor
the PROSTATE man while he fondled an
able-bodied, hammerless Webley.
Hole moved off towards the gang
way, whence his voice arose, an in
stant later, greeting his visitor. The
latter put hurried question, which
! O'Rourke did not catch, but the cap
tain's reply was quick, enough:
"Only mutinous dorg Of a deck
and. Wanted shore leave and refused
to go forrard when ordered. E amt
urted none. Mr.. Dennison 'ere just
gyve i'm tap to keep him quiet"
The Irishman swore beneath his
breath and watched the first officer
The light from the lantern at the
gangway glanced duly upon the pol
Isned barrel of the revolver, and the
cleaning line was steadily directed
towards O'Rourke's head. Upon re
consideration he concluded to lie still
to wait and watch his opportunity
for the present, at least, he was IN
! disposed to question Dennison's vii
Iingness to use the weapon. O'Rourke
was to be kept quiet at all hazards
and he knew it full well; for once he
conceded discretion the better part o1
galor, and was patient.