The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-06-13

th1s and that about him to tel
" Rourke more plainly than words
mat his profession was something
nautical; he was most probably a cap
tain. from certain air OF determine
tlon and command that iurked be
meath his free-and-easy manner
therefore, having summed the
stranger up in glance, And wher
did We get in. captain?" inquired
O'Rourke.
The man jumped with surprise and
shot frightened-at least ques.
t1onlng-glance at O'Rourke Then,
seeing that he was smiling in friend.
~ fashion, Gained and continued to
cool his face and heat his blood by
tanning himself vigorously with a
straw hat
'Ow the dooce do you know I'm a
captain" he demanded. with slight
iy aggrieved manner
1T shouldn't take man an hour to
guess that, captain-any more than
1t would to pick We out for an Eng
lishman"
The captain stared, gray eyes Wild
ening An perhaps you'll tell me my
nyme next?" he suggested rather
truculently.
"Divvle bit IT'S no clairvoyant 1
am" laughed O'Rourke. But can
tell ye me own. IT'S O'Rourke, and
It's delighted / am to meet a white
man in this heather country. Sir. your
hand!"
He put his own across the table and
gripped the captains heartily.
Mines Ole" the latter informed
him.
"ole?" queried O'Rourke. "ole
what?"
MOT Ole nothing" said the cap
tain with some pardonable asperity.
Il didn't sly ole. sgd Ole"
of course" O'Rourke assented
gravely Pm stupid. Captain Hole.
and a bit deaf in me off ear" This,
however. was a polite lie.
THAT explyns it," agreed the molli-
fled man. IT'S ole. plyn Wilrm ole,
master of the Pelican, fryghter, just
in from Malta"
A light of interest kindled In
O'Rourkes eyes. He reviewed the man
with more respect, as due to one who
might prove useful. And bound-?"
he insinuated craftiy.
Alexandria. just dropped
in for d'y or two to pick up a bit
of cargo from chap down at Piraeus
It's devlish 'ot and thought as 'ow
I'd tyke run up and see the city
bit of time free, y'know."
Surely sighed O'Rourke. a far.
away look in his eyes. For Alexan-
dria. Ell? Faith. I'd like to be sailing
with We"
Again the captain eyed O'Rourke
askance, "Wot for?" he demanded
directly. THE Pelican's slow old
tramp. You can pick up a swifter pas
sage on 'arf-a-dozen boats a day."
IT'S meself that knows that. sure"
assented the Irishman IT'S but
trifling difficulty about ready money
that detains me" he pursued boldly.
with a confidential jerk of his head.
There's bit of stuff-no matter
what-that don't want to pass
through the Custom House at Alex.
andria. I'm not saying a word, cap
tai, but If could smuggle it into
Egypt. the profit would be great
enough to pay me passagemon a
dozen times over. I'm saying this to
We in strict confidence, for, being an
We won't let on
Never fear" Hole asserted stout
y. Umm. Er-I don't mind
telling you. Mr., O'Rourke, | some
lines do little in that line myself
Being a casual tramp and sometimes
I'd by for weeks at a stretch for want
If consignment"
Not another word, captain. un-
lerstand perfectly. Will We be having
| bit of drink, now"
Captain Hole would ut won't 'urt
o talk this over" he remarked. Per
APPS we might mykA some sort of a
Ticker"
Faith, it's meself that's agreeable"
aughed the lrishman lightly
And when. at midnight that night,
lie parted from moist and senti.
mental sailor-man, whose capacity for
including the indescrib-
BILE native retsinato and masticha-
ad proved enormous. the arrangement
lad been arrived at. signed, sealed
nd delivered by a clasping OF hands.
md It was O'Rourke was the happy
nan.
IT'S Danny who'll be giving me
he welcome" he assured himself, sit
ing on the edge of his bed and star.
ag thoughtfully into the dishevelled
epths OF the battered steel kit.box
hat housed everything he owned in
he worid-for he was packing to Join
ne Pelican at noon.
Il hope to hiven he has five