The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1912-02-23

times do little in that line myself.
Being a casual tramp and sometimes
lyd by for weeks at stretch for want
of consignment"
Not another word, captain. un
derstand perfectly. Will We be having
a bit of a drink, now?"
Captain Hole would "It won't urt
to talk this over" he remarked. Per
APPS we might myke some sort of a
dicker."
Faith, it's meself that's agreeable"
laughed the Irishman lightly.
And when, at midnight that night,
he parted from a moist and senti-
mental sailor-man, whose capacity for
liquor-even including the indescrib-
able native retsinato and masticha-
had proved enormous the arrangement
had been arrived at, signed, sealed
and delivered by clasping of hands.
And it was ORourke was the happy
man.
TITS Danny who'll be giving me
the welcome" he assured himself, sit
ting on the edge of his bed and star
ing thoughtfully into the dishevelled
depths of the battered steel kit-box
that housed everything he owned in
the world-for he was packing to join
the Pelican at noon.
Il hope to hiven he has five
pounds" announced O'Rourke later,
frowning obviously.
Five pounds happened TO be the
sum he had agreed to pay Captain
Hole for the accommodation, it being
further conditioned that the latter
was to accompany the adventurer
ashore at Alexandria and not part
from him till the money was forth
coming: something which irked the
Irishman's soul. why could he not
take me word for it?" he demanded
of midnight darkness tempered by
feeble lamplght. But, faith, l forget
what I'm dealing with. Besides, tbs
sure l am to find Danny"
He arose and resumed his packing.
blowing an inaudible little air through
his puckered lips. "Divvilish awkward
If | don't By the Gods I'd
all but misremembered :"
He failed to state exactly what he
had misremembered. but stood mo-
at the lamp flame, for full five min
utes. Then
III have to chance it" he said
slowly. "'Tisn't as if it were mine"
He unbuttoned the front of his shirt
and thrust hand between his under
shirt and his skin, fumbled about I'M
der his left armpit. his brows still
gathered thoughtfully. Presently he
gave little jerk and removed his
hand. 1t contained a chamois-skin bag
about the size of ducks egg. from
which dangled the stout cord by }
which he had slung it about his neck.
Holding this gingerly. as If he fear.
ed it would explode, O'Rourke glanced
at the window, drew the blind tight,
and tiptoed to the door, where he
turned the key in the lock. Then. re
turning to his bed and making sure
that he was out of range of the key.
hole. he cautiously loosened the draw.
string at the mouth of the bag.
Something tumbled out into his
palm and lay there like a ball of red.
fire, brilliant and coruscant.
O'Rourke caught at his breath sharp
ly; his very voice had an ominous
ring In its timber when he spoke at
length.
Blood" he said slowly. blood. :.
q. / doubt not that rivers OF blood
have flowed for the sake of ye. Be
like ye were fashioned of blood in the
beginning. for It's that's your color
and the story of ye as I've heard 1t is
all told when I've said that one word
blood! :"
And after bit. I'D best put 1t away,
I'm thinking. 'Twouldn't be safe to car
ry it that way any longer. If some
thing should catch in me shirt on
board, and rip 1t. and Hole happen &c
see it-why, me life wouldn't be worth
a moments purchase. I'll hide 1t in
me box there; they'll niver suspect"
And with that he thrust the Pool
of Flame back into the leather bag
and the bag into the depths of the kit
box; which he presently locked and
noiselessly moved beneath his bed
After all Of which he lay down and
with another sigh slept TRANQUILITY.