The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-06-21
CHAPTER xxIv.-(continued.)

CHAPTER XXIV.-(Continued.)
She cam directly to the adVenturer,
without so much as a glance for the
group of lascars or the grim evidences
of tragedy upon the deck. O'Rourke
shut his teeth with evaporation.
Whatever he decided to celieye of the
serang, whether his Judgment said OF
the man, Guilty" or mot Guilty" he
dared risk nothing with the woman
present. He could not tell what hell
Of murder and mutiny he might not let
loose upon the Rance, did he make
one iladVised or hasty move Alone,
he could have faced the situation with
eQuanimity; with the by his
side, be felt as though handcuffed.
"You are hurt, Colonel O'Rourke?'
"A here scratch, madam-an inch
Of skin shaved off 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 as 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. | didn't want ye
to see. A lascar a 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 darl; figures; he
was more than every ready to defend
himself should they make any overt
move, deeming his attention distract
ed.
What will you do?"
How can l say? Do ye, for the
love Of God, get below and leave me
to deal with these fiends In me own
fashion"
Which," she returned equally, is
precisely what l shall not do"
If that's the case," he said brus-
quely, have the kindness 20 hand me
the revolver by the captains side, and
-ye might see II 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 7eapon he
mad desired. As promptly, without
further words, she turned to Quick.
The adventurer deliberated briefly,
while she bent over the captain, max
ing a hurried examination. HE is
badly wounded" O'Rourke heard her
say, as he arrived at his decision, "but
not dead"
Praise God for that!
must ask We, madam, to back me up
ia necessary to clear the decks. Are
ye ready?" He saw, out Of the tail
OF his eye, that she had sprung to hel
leet Now, We curs," he Numbered
with a menacing pistol in either hand
get forward, the lot of We. Move, "
blackguards!"
They went expeditiously, crowdinf
between the deck-house and the rail
nuddling together as If for mutual pro
lection. The serang was the last tt
move, and went reluctantly. or seemed
10.
let that vas no time to Judge hin
LOT a minor fault. O'Rourke herdet
tne pack before him, watched then
scramble down the ladder to the fore
uecK. then backed to the spot wher,
.ue woman stood above the captain
ms arm was paining him somewhat
WIN the Irritating, singing ache tina
such wounds produce, and he thrus
One revolver into his pocket. claspini
nand above the hurt.
III a fash realization of his los
eane TO him; he clutched the rail wit,
cry The Pool Of Flame, his sacre
auSt, was gone! His eyes searche
NE deck wildly, but found no trace q
Me round leather bag with its prec
uus burden. Despair gripped his hear
a clutch of ice. and for a space tn
sup reeled about him.
ne found himself gazing blankly II
me wonan's solicitous eyes. "Whs