River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-06-20
cHAPTER xxIIi.-fcontinued.l


Now Danny happened to have "off"
the first afternoon watch. O'Rourke
from the bridge saw him come up the
engine-room companion ladder, dive
into the messroom for his dinner, and
later emerge, picking his teeth and
grinning self-complacency until his
master could have kicked him, had
such course been polite before the
crew, or even consistent with the dig
nifty of his office.
"A word to say to We, sor, If l may
make so bold"
O'Rourke glanced at the helmsman.
and having long since made up his
mind that the man was competent
left him in possession of the bridge
for a space, and joined Danny below
What is it?"
Danny lowered his voice to hoarse
whisper. "Kape yer eye on thot black
divvle up there, sor, for the love of
Hiven, and don't look surprised at
anything"
O'Rourke moved a few PAGES aft,
along the rail, to point whence he
could see the head and shoulders of
the helmsman. "Well?"
"'Tis nawthin' cud swear to, sor,
but it's meself thot's mortal leary av
these naygurs-rapspicts to ye-and-
and"
Come, come! Out with it, Danny"
Sure, sor, it's the serang. Have
ye CHANGED to notice him, sor?"
O'Rourke glanced down TO the fore
deck, where the parsonage in question
was standing at ease. What of him 2"
he inquired, running his eye over the
fellows superb proportions.
"'Tis nawthin' I'd take me oath to,
cor, but I'm thinkin' he's the man who
boarded the Panjnab at Suez, sor.
And as for the naygur l run against
On the s'loon deck. yer honor, he's his
mortal twin"
All" commented O'Rourke. Thank
you. Danny"
He continued to watch the serang
until the latter, as If influenced by the
fixity of the Irishman's regard, turned
and stared directly into O'Rourke's
eyes. For full minute he gave him
look for look, dark eyes steadfast and
unyielding above his fine aouiline
nose, then calmly turned his back. re-
Stunning his contemplation of the tur-
bulent horizon.
An instant later Quick came up to
relieve O'Rourke, and, eight bells
sounding. Danny dived below to take
Dravos' place. O'Rourke, unpleasant
ly impressed by the incident, still for
bore to mention it to either of the
ships owners; he retired to think 1t
over, and spent long hour consuIn-
ing an indifferent cigar and studying
the cracks in the bulkhead between
his room and the cabin.
Without profit. however. Lacking
more substantial proof than Danny's
suspicious. he could arrive at no def
mite conclusion.
The night passed without incident;
the second day dawned the counter
part of its predecessor. and wore
away quietly enough.
1t fell to O'Rourke to stand the first
dog watch. from four to six. in. the
evening. Shortly after he assembled
the bridge. it was his happiness to be
Joined by Mrs. Prynne. who improved
the moment TO express her gratifica-
tion with the propitious tide in her af.
fairs. The Kings courier was pleased
to declare herself very well pleased
indeed. though she admitted under
jocular pressure. that she considered
she was roughing 1t. Captain Quick
quarters were by no means palatial
and the bill of fare. while substantial.
ly composed. lacked something of va
rIety; but that was all a part of the
great and fascinating game she played
the game of secret service to His
Majesty. Edward VII.
Not that alone. but she was com
forted By the assurance that her voy
age weuid soon be over, her mission
DISCHARGED. her responsibility q khina