The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-06-15

KNOWS WHeTe 10 go and how to ask
for it. Manufactured in certain
Islands of the Grecian Archipelago. it
is mysteriously exported under the
very noses of complaisant authorities
and, eluding the rigor OF Egyptian
customs, as we'll as the vigilance of
Egyptian spies, finds its way to the
fellaheen-among other avid consum-
ers; speaking badly, is smuggled into
the land. Customs inspections, fur
thermore, are as severe as might be
expected by anyone acquainted with
the country and its inhabitants-as
was O'Rourke.
He felt, then, no sort of surprise at
the brevity Of the official visitation.
The inspector, accompanied by an
excessively urbane and suave Captain
Hole. consciously but briefly
glanced into the hold, asked a few
questions which would have been
pertinent had they not been entirely
perfunctory. and took his leave.
From the gangway the captain
turned back directly to his first off,
Ger and the latter's charge. Hearing
his approaching footsteps, O'Rourke
gathered himself together and sum-
moned all his faculties to his aid.
! Troublesome" demanded Hole,
pausing.
Not a syllable" said the mate
| 'Th' mons sensible. l haze me doubts
but he's too canny altegither.'
| Peaceful as a byby, Ell? Well"
! savagely, ell learn wot for Get up,
you Irish
ORourke lay passive under the
storm of Holes profanity He had
all but closed his eyes, and was watch
ing the pair from beneath his lashes.
Failing to elicit any response,
'Asn't e moved?" demanded the cap
tain.
mot a muscle"
"Shammin'. Ere, I'll show i'm"
! ORourke gritted his teeth and sup
pressed groan as the toe of Holes
heavy boot crashed into his ribs
9TH mons nae shamming," DENIM
son declared. Hes fair tainted"
Tainted hell!" countered the cap
tain. Give is arm a twist, DENIM
son." "
The mate calmly disobeyed The
arm-twist desired by the captain re-
quires the use Of the twisters two
hands, and stoutly as he defended his
opinion, the first officer was by no
means ready to put up his revolver.
He advanced and bent over the
Irishman, who lay motionless, his up
per lip rolled back to show his
rlpnohnd Io;,
the first officer. peering into his face,
his tone expressive of the Iiveliest
concern. Without further hesitation
he dropped the revolver into his pocket
and-received a tremendous short-arm
blow in the face
With a sttfied cry he fell back,
clutching at a broken nose, and
i sprawled at length; while O'Rourke,
: leaping to his. feet, deliberately put
a heel into the pit of Dennison's stom-
ach thereby effectually eliminating
him as factor in the further contro-
versy. simultaneously he advanced
upon Captain Hole.
But In the latter he encountered no
mean antagonist. The man-it has
been said-was as tall as and heavier
than the adventurer, and by virtue of
his position a competent and expert
enced rough-and-ready fighter. In a
breath he had lowered his head and,
believing like bull, launched him
self toward O'Rourke
The Irishman met the onslaught
with singing uppercut; which, new
ertheless, failed to discourage the
captain, who grappled and began to
belabor O'Rourke with short, stabbing
blows On the side Of the head, at the
same time endeavoring to trip him.
The fury Of his onset all but carried
the Irishman off his feet. At the same
time it defeated Holes own purpose.
O'Rourke watched his chance, seized
the mans throat with both hands and
tightening his grip, fairly lifted him
off his feet and shook him as a ter
rier shakes rat Then, with a grunt
Of satisfaction, he threw the captain
from him and turned to face greater
odds.
The noise of the conflict had brought
the crew down upon the contestants
Surrounded, he was rushed to the rail
With that TO his back he drew on his
reserve Of strength and, posing him
self, began to give his assailants per
| sonal and individual attention. They
pushed him close, snarling and ours
ing hindering one another in their
eagerness, and suffering variously for
their temerity. O'Rourke fought with
trained precision; his blows, lightning
quick, We're direct from the shoulder
and very finely placed; and so straight
did he strike that almost from the
first his knuckles were torn and
bleding from their impact upon flesh
and bone.
Fight as fiercely as he might, how
ever, the pack was too heavy for him !;
and when presently he discerned. not
In one but in half dozen hands,
CLEANS of light-the rays OF nearby
lantern running down knife-b:ades-
: he conceded the moment imminent
!, when he must sever his connection
with the Pelican. Moreover he had a
, shrewd suspicion that Hole was Hp
and only waiting for an opening to use
his revolver.
Leaping to the rail, he poised an
instant, then dived far out from the
vessels side. down into the Stygian
! bIackness Of the harbor water; good
clean dive, cutting the water with
hardly a splash, he went down like an
arrow, gradually swerving from the