The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1912-01-26
The First Officers Fist Caught
O'Rourke Just Under the Ear.

1t became Immediately evident that
his memory had not tricked him; the
trunk was locked, as he had left it
that morning. But the clasp had
yielded to a cold chiSel
1t was hardly worth the trouble,
still O'Rourke rummaged through the
contents of the box, assuring himself
that the channels bag was gone. So
far as he could determine then, moth
ing else had been taken.
He shut down the lid and sat down
to think it out, eyes hard, face grimly
eXpressiOnless. only an intermittent
nervous clenching and opening of his
hands betraying his gathering rage
and excitement. At length he arose,
determination in his port.
One phrase alone escaped him:
and rot gun to me namei"
He went on deck. Already the trOp-
ic night had closed down upon the
harbor, but ii was easy enough to To-
cate the captain and first officer, still
waiting at the gangWay. From over
side arose the splitter of a launch-a
raucous sound, yet one that barely rip
pied the surface of O'Rourke's con-
seriousness. He stepped quickly to
the captains side and touched him
gently on the arm.
Captain" he said quickly, I'll be
| asking the favor OF a word with we il
private
Hole caught the CLEAN of the Irish
mans eye in he lamplight and
| stepped back a pace.
Get forrard," he said curly. "Carn't
you see the customs officer coming
aboard? I'll see you later"
Eye will not. Yell hear me 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-gawdn, he ex
ploded violently. 100 ever heard the
like of ito"
O'Rourke stepped nearer, his fists
closing. Drop that tone. We scud!
he cried Dye 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.
Il mean" replied O'Rourke in a
quick whisper, that the Egyptian Gus
toms officer is at the side. Return
what we've stolen from me this day
or I'll tell the whole harbor what
me to be more explicit, perhaps the
word 'hashish' will refresh your mem
ory!"
It'll talk to you later"
Ven give me back me property this
minute or"
O'Rourke was at the rail in a stride
Shall / tell him." he demanded
A swift step sounded beside him
He turned an instant too late, who ha(
reckoned without Dennison. AS hi
moved to protect himself the first Of
ficer's fist caught the Irishman jus
|
seventy-fve pounds of man and malice
were behind it, ORourke shot init
the scuppers as though kicked by ;
mule, struck his head against a piece
of IRON work and lay still, hal
stunned, shutting his teeth savagel
upon moan
Hole and the first mate stood owe
him, and the captains voice. guarde
but clear enough, came to his ear:
You'll lie there. me man, and no
so much as a whimper till | give yO
leave Take 'eed wot says. MI
Dennison ere is goin' TO clean is re
volver.
O'Rourke lay silent, save for hi
quick breathing. The first Officer
grinning inadvertently, sat down nea
at hand, keeping a basilisk eye upo
the PROSTATE man while he fondled a
able-bodied, hammerless Webley.
Hole moved off towards the gans
way, whence his voice arose, an il
slant later, greeting his visitor. Tn
latter put a hurried question, whic
O'Rourke did not catch, but the cal
tain's reply was quick enough:
only mutinous dorg of decl
5 and. Wanted shore leave and refuse
to go forrard when ordered. f ain
Il 'urted none. Mr.. Dennison ere jus
gyve i'm tap to keep him quiet"
The Irishman swore beneath h
!. breath and watched the first Office
The light from the lantern at tn
gangway glanced duly upon the pc
D ished barrel of the revolver, and til
cleaning line was steadily directe
:, towards O'Rourke's head. Upon r
consideration he concluded, to lie still
r to wait and watch his opportunlt,