Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-12-31


you to come inside our sacred in
closure"
CHAPTER XVIII.
The night overhead and around was
covered In with a black velvety dark
ness, unlocked by CLEAN of moon or
glimmer of star; but the top of every
wavelet Of the lagoon was tipped with
oar stroke stirred up boil Of pallid
flame.
Mr.. McTodd lighted his pipe and hos
pitably offered cake of black tobacco
and an open clasp knife to his super
ior officer. "Cut yourself a fill" he
suggested. We're Illuminated like a
shop window in Sauciehall street, and
tobacco glow will be lost in the gem
eral magniticence."
81 thank you,' said Captain Kettle
civilly; but I've had to drop my pipe
for professional reasons. But you're
quite right about the light. The la.
goon's flaring round us like village
fair, and If any ones awake on this
side of Africa, and looking out, we're
here to be SEEN So I'll just follow
your example, and set fire to cigar"
II wish I'd boiler plate overcoat
like my ancestor the Crusader. used
to wear. The Moorish be nipp!ng at
us presently. when we draw within
range of their gas-pipes.'
"Moors or Berbers. That head-man
we've got on board. who says he's been
to an English college, wants me to
believe that the majority of the tribes
as harmless as the teachers in a
Quaker Sunday school The only bad
men in this section are Moors, accord
ing to Bergash."
aye medina explain further. It's
always been clear since the creature
first stepped up over the side that We
didna like him. Miss Dubbs and I
rather fancy him oursels."
Captain Kettle had violent com.
ment on the tip of his tongue. but with
an effort bit it short and pulled hard
at his cigar.
"vara humorous" said McTodd with
a chuckle.
Whats that?" snapped his superior
81 was just staggering at ma
thoughts an the beauty of the night.
And at what else?'
Man, I'm no. the pairson to abuse
the confidence of a Teddy. AS a man
of the incest vairtue yourself, We
couldna expect it of me. Now could
your
Captain Kettle tugged at his ciga~
and stared at the lighted boat com
pass, and then stared out at the night
"Weel, man, I'm fair surprised tc
you" w.
| "On account Of what?'
ITO lairn that you've wish
though you'll no. express in words
that l should repeat to you what the
lassie said"
"Yon'n find yourself over in the
ditch among the fishes If you DOM
change your tune"
IF I'd been a fnancier," chuckled
the Scot, 81 dare have bet saxpance
ye'd have threatened violence like that
or pairpetrated it. Man, Kettle, bend
your lug so the hands cannae hear
/ Ye may pluck up your courage. The
leddy's conversation Is the damnedest
! dull talk ever had poured into ma
confidence. It's all about yourself
and-gosh! man-to starboard and
lover the quarter. What's yon?"
It was a bonfire. that suddenly
lighted and spouted up into the sky
and was as suddenly eclipsed by the
blackness of the night.
"A flare" said Kettle, "and as they
haven't mineral oil down here that
know of, should say twas some
body firing two handfuls Of gunpowder
Well, it means that one niger. at any
| rate, is awake and thinking of us. and
that's better than being dead and for
gotten. Eyes in the boat, men, and at
tend to your rowing. Mr.. McTodd and
I are quite capable Of looking afte,
our own personal convenience with
out your unskilled assistance. And
| by James! there's an answering flare
away up on the mountain"
Gosh! it looks as If they're rous
ing the clans to do lis honor. Aweel
i've no immediate use for your rifles
Hard work with those rattle-traps Of
engines has left my hand no over
steady. But I've brought along three
quarter inch spanner, and if you'll
bring the boat up to close quarters, III
show you how it is used by an expert
Have We matches? This talking's pu
my pipe out"