The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-02-09

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
ed.
"What will you do?"
"How can I say? Do ye, for the
love Of God, get below and leave me
70 deal with these fends In me own
fashion"
which" she returned equally, 'is
precisely what I shall not do
IF that's the case," he said brus-
quely, have the kindness to hand me
the revolver y the captains side, and
-ye might see if ;.4e poor fellow still
lives"
He heard a quick rustic of skirts
and the Woman's 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 a hurried examination. "He is
badly wounded" O'Rourke heard her
say, as he arrived at his decision, "but
not dead"
Praise God for that! I
must ask ye, madam, to back me up.
It Is necessary to clear the decks. Are
ye ready?" He saw, out Of tho tail
Of his eye, that she had sprung to her
feet. Now, ye curs," he thundered,
with menacing pistol in either hand,
"get forward, the lot Of ye. Move, ye
blackguards!"
They went expeditiously, crowding
between the deck-house and the rail,
budding together az il for mutual pro-
lection. The serang was the last to
to.
Yet that was no time to judge him
for a minor fault. O'Rourke herded'
the pack before him, watched them
scramble down the ladder to the fore
deck, then backed to the spot where
the woman stood above the captain.
His arm was paining him somewhat,
with the irritating, stinging ache that
such wounds produce, and he thrust
one revolver into his pocket, clasping
a hand above the hurt.
In a flash realization of his loss
came to him; he clutched the rail with
q cry. The Pool OF Flame, his sacred
trust, was gone! His eyes searched
the deck wildly, but found no trace of
the round leather bag with its preci-
Gus burden. Despair gripped his heart
in a clutch Of ice, and for a space the
ship reeled about him.
lie found himself gazing blankly in
to the woman's solicitous eyes. What
IS it? What is it," be heard her voice
repeating breathlessly. He knew that
his own lips moved for some seconds
without sound as he strove to answer
her. The words, when they came,
should have been quite unintelligible
to her; he realized this almost as soon
as he had uttered them: The Pool
Of Flannel"
Then he stumbled forward, crying
aloud for the serang. Halfway to the
ladder he halted; that individuals
head and shoulders were lifting above
the level Of the deck. O'Rourke Gov
cred him and called him aft as he
again retreated to the scene Of the
tragedy.
Had be been In condition to think
coherently, he might have acted more
prudently. But maddened, he was
able to grasp but one fact; that the
Pool of Flame was gone and must be
recovered at whatever hazard.
The lascar came with what might
have seemed suspicious alacrity, con-
sidering the fact that he was coerced,
that O'Rourke held him at the pistols
point. Gaunt and sombre In the
moonlight, moving noiselessly in his
bare feet, head up and arms swinging
limp, he advanced without pause un-
til about six feet from the Irishman;
at which distance O'Rourke, collect
ing his wits, found voice enough to bid
the fellow, "stop!"
The serang halted, impassive, un-
moved.
''Ihe sahib has called" he said in
an even voice. IT am come. What is
the sahibs will with me-"
His words, together with his half
indolent, half-defant, wholly coItemp-
tuous bearing, supplied the one thing
needful to restore to the adventurer
his self-control. ORourke drew him
self up, master Of self once more, and
looked the lascar in the eye.
"You stand" he said slowly, choos-
ing his words, "on the edge Of the
grave. Do you comprehend that,
dog?"
"Aye sahibi"