The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-04-03

thrown off his feet by the Irishman's
attack, had deliberately involved his
fellows with him in his fall and profit.
ed by the confusion to Stay one upon
whom he could throw the blame for
all that had happened.
The weapon quivered in O'Rourke's
grasp. More than once in that brief
debate he was tempted to shoot the
fellow on suspicion. Yet he held his
hand; he could not be positive. With
every circumstance against him, he
might still be telling the truth. The
whole horrible affair might boil down
to nothing more than an insane crime
of crazy Malay, one who. as the Sc
rang claimed. had run amok."
He had not made up his mind when
his thoughts were given a new turn
by new complication. in the shape
of Mrs. Prynne herself. That lady
came up the companion steps with no
apparent hesitation. no fear or appre-
hension; quietly and confidently alert,
on the other hand, she was y,sibly
armed and prepared against danger in
whatever form she might have to en-
counter it.
She came directly to the adventurcr.
without SO much as a glance for tie
group of lascars or the grim evidences
of tragedy upon the deck. O'Rourhe
shut his teeth with evaporation.
Whatever he decided to believe of thc
serang. whether his judgment said of
the man, Guilty" or Not Guilty" he
dared risk nothing with the woman
present. He could not tell what he'll
of murder and mutiny he might not let
one ill-advised or hasty move. Alone.
he could have faced the situation with
equanimity; with the woman by his
side. he felt as though handcuffed.
you are hurt. Colonel O'Rourke ?"
"A mere scratch, madam-an inch
Of skin shaved of me arm. Be good
enough to return to the saloon. waken
Danny and send him to me-"
She ignored the curtness of his tone,
even a. she ignored his wish. What
has happened?" she demanded, rang.
ing herself by his side. who Is that
there on the deck?" Her voice ris-
ing a note. foreboded hysteria-
"Quick-stabbed. I didn't want ye
to see. A lascar ran amok, cut down
the captain, was killed himself-kind-
ness" the irrepressible humorist
broke out" of our little brown brother,
the serang."
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 dot"
How can I say? Do We, for the
love Of God. get below and leave me
to deal with these fends in me OWL
fashion,"
which" she returned equally, iii
precisely what shall not do"
IF that's the case" he said brus
Quely. have the kindness to hand me
the revolver by the captains side. and
-ye might see If the 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 hurried examination. He is
badly wounded" O'Rourke heard hel
say. as he arrived at his decision. "bu
not dead"
Praise God for that!
must ask ye, madam, to back me up
1t is necessary to clear the decks. Are
We ready?" He saw, out of the tai
of his eye, that she had sprung to hel
feet Now. ye curs." he Numbered
with a menacing pistol in either hand
get forward. the lot of ye. Move. "
blackguards!"
They went expeditiously, crowdins
between the deck-house and the rail
budding together as If for mutual pro
lection. The serang was the last t.
move, and went reluctantly, or seemed
to.
Yet that was no time to Judge hin
for a minor fault. O'Rourke herdet
the pack before him, watched then
scramble down the ladder to the fore
deck, then backed to the spot wher,
the woman stood above the captain
His arm was paining him somewhat
with the irritating. singing ache tina
such uo,,pJo pro1uco opd ha fhr,, O.