Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-12-28

q conscousou, al. Blackman chop,
couscousou. White-man conspues."
Captain Kettles Arabic at that per
iod OF his career was elementary, but
his accompanying gestures were vivid
enough to supply all needful transla-
ton.
Nov. there are ave sheep. 81!
Good. you savvy that. Well, II I take
all the fiock. ssvvy? All the Ave, 81?
ri give you, savvy, this gold coin.
which ia a British half.sovereign. Now
don't all you hay-seeds get excited and
talk ut once. Let the agricultural
with the shaved top-edge Of his mus
tache do the oratory. You. Yes.
you. BY James, do you heather hear
me? Let that man talk and you 9th.
ers learn to keep quiet. or I'll step
down into that boat and teach you
how. Come. squire, ten shillings for
the flock, or else row away to the next
market town. I'm not going to stand
here at the front door step haggling
all day long for Joint or two OF fresh
meat"
The man stopped. and with frantic
gesture pointed to the fiat tails of the
sheep, explaining how wide. how fat.
and how truly succulent they were,
and signified that the fve were worth
hive gold coins ut the very lowest fig.
ure. ~.
1.-THE tails II you choose" said Cap
tain Kettle, contemptuously. YOU may
cut of and take home with you II
you like. We're noe pagans on this
packet to have any hankeripg after
animated tallow candles for our din.
ner. And take your ugly black paws
of my trousers, you."
Captain Kettles noat pipe-clsyed
shoe was uplifted, and ctught the man
who was lingering him accurately on
the shoulder. and sent him rolling
over into the bottom Of the boat.
1t is curious how some things strike
the Moor. In nineteen cases out Of
twenty there would have been roar
Of laughter from the others, who
would have found the action q rough
jest which exactly jumped with their
own hoorish taste. But here was the
twentieth case. .-..... ..,,,'
With the ouickness of light one OF
the mans fellows drew a curved dag.
ser from the brass sheath that hung
by It's red cord from his neck, and few
like wildcat for the little, sailors
throat. And with nineteen men out
OF twenty the sudden blow would have
got home. t
CAPTAIN Kettle was the exception.
His apprenticeship to the seas had
been thorough, and he was always
noted for his quickness. He caught
the mans wrist as 1t descended,
ducked beneath 1t, and hove down.
The fellows elbow cracked noisily,
the knife fell into the water, and the
victim shrieked.
You might want that knife some
day." said Captain Kettle, and sent
him after 1t. broken arm and all.
But the other six Moors in the boat,
as though 1t was signal. pulled wea.
pons and rushed in for vengeance. and
one Of them beat down the cook with
his dagger hilt in passing.
Kettle took the attack lightly
enough. He ran up tho ladder half .
dozen steps backward. lugged re-
volver from his pocket. and pointed it
with steady aim at the first mans
stomach. He rushed--and was drop
ped shot neatly through the shoulder.
Two more followed. and were shot
down, and the other three retired hur-
riedly to their boat and picked up the
oars. .2'l ~, ?"
"No,- you don't" said Kettle, and
threatened them with, his weapon.
Into the water you get and swim If
YOU can, or drown II YOU choose, or
be, eaten by sharks if they'll have you.
And If you've killed my cook. who at
least can make curry, I'll plug the
three of YOU :, ~ ~ SO -~ .
He forced them furiously over the
gunwale of the, boat at the muzzle OF
his smoking revolver. and then stoop-
ed and made swift examination Of his
man. =, ~ - = I-,
! "Ah. luckily for you cookies not
! dead. and2I think he'll be round again
directly. On deck there, Mr.. = Forster.
Send down a couple OF hands and get
| these sheep run up on deck. They. are
confiscated as lawful fine and costs for
! attempted assault and battery
An anxious face peered over the rail
afove.. Ia;,'.:. =. ...." ~
"My God. skipper" said Sir George
whats all this shooting?"}%
rNothing ."sir, to be worried about
I was just trying this gun OF mine to
see how high up 1t threw when II
fred. I've come to the con clusion that
it takes deal more practice than I've
been able to put in at, present to make
a really neat revolver shot. | wonder
! II your Mr.. Bergash could tell me
whether the parties dotted, and who
I see are all managing to swim ashore
are some Of his fellow Berbers, OF
whether he'd prefer to call them
Moors." t>sE .-",
| Captain Kettle ran nimbly up the
; ladder and in the gangway came on
| his owner wiping perspiration from
high forehead with a tremulous
handkerchief.
SThe treacherous DEVILS" said Sir
George But never saw neater
/ fight" 49,
".Thank you, sir said Captain Ket'
tie touching his cap. But in view OF
what's happened want to press upon
you my idea that it would be as we'll
il we get across to the old Towers,
and take possession Of her without
further palaver. I daresay Mr.. Ber'
cash may mean we'll; as you say SO,
won't dispute it: but il we are in for