Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-01-08
CHAPTER vi.
CONTINU |

u
watching for signs of land, but none
appeared. Looking astern, I was
startled at the sight of large fin stick
ing ADORE the water, and following the
yacht. | knew it was q shark. An
other thing that alarmed me even more
than the presence OF the shark, was
the fact that the wake of the vesse.
showed that she was describing a cir,
Gle. There must be a motive in that,
and I OWNED it to be plan of Mr..
SMELLS to keep us adost until, worn
out by exhaustion, IL would go to SLEEP
and become an easy prey. had slept
but little the night before, and If Mr.,
Smell could keep up his tactics much
longer, l must give way.
The more studied the matter the
more convinced I became that for the
second time Mr.. Smell was plotting my
murder. 1 noticed change, also, in
the demeauor of the'crew. They,lookeG
at me in threatening way, and Iknev
that the possession of the rifle was the
only thing that saved me from an at
tack.
The thought of being defeated and
murdered by this wretch, Gambok
Smell, and his ugly crew maddened
me- Much moro did the horrible
thought OF leaving Miss Arnold
to the mercies OF this arch
tiend. Nothing could be gained by
making threats. L must make a bolG
move. felt no sorrow for what I wat
about to do. Gambok Smell was Sc
utterly wicked that he merited death.
And, besides that, it was simply mat
ter of tit for tat between him and me,
Without further talk Istooped down
and picked him up. Igrabbed him by
the neck and leg and lifted him in the
mir. He uttered dreadful curses and
attempted to kick my face. He called
to the crew, and l saw that they wert
coming to his assistance. Summon,
ing all my strength, [ hurled the mis-
creant out into the water, and then,
seizing my ride. turned to meet the
infuriatol crew. One Of them stopped
to throw buoy to Mr.. Smell, and !.
shot him before he 6ot it over the
rail.
Miss Arnold hal screamed once.
wlen Mr.. Smell went overheard, bu'
now sat pale and motionless.
The Chinaman who seemed to be the
commander Of the crew drew pisto
from his belt, but my rife sent hin
headlong before he could use it.
There were two left. One of then
succeeded in getting a shot at me.
which wounded my left arm. As i
fell useless by my side my rifle gave
It's last bark, and he went down. The
last of one Of the crew now came fol
Inc with cutlass. attempted to gel
the pistol with my one good hand, bu,
it dropped to the deck. The heather
was on me.
/ drew my sword and made slash
at him: We moved forward little,
hacking at each other furiously. J
could ordinarily have cut him dowt
with mere brute strength, but m,
wound placed me at the mercy of hi
superior craftsmanship. With a ter
rife blow he sent my sword hurting te
the deck and raised his cutlass.
| shut my eyes, expecting to fee
the keen blade in my skull the mex
instant
] was helpless.
Just when l expected to feel my
deathblow, / felt some one brush pas
me. The sharp report of pistol rang
out, and with shrek the Chinamar
fell to the deck. Miss Arnold had
grasped the pistol that | dropped and
had saved my life.
At that moment a horrible cry came
from the water. | saw Gambok Smell
being drawn down into the sea. ]
knew that the shark had found his
victim.
My eyes met those of Miss Arnold's
as we turned from the scene. Neither
of us spoke. l clasped her hand and
sed it.
"You are wounded" she cried.
cit is not serious" replied; "but
you can help me baudaGe it,"
With deft and nimble fingers sht
followed my instructions, and bound
handkerchief tightly around my arm,
"Thank you," 1 said; "it will do
nicely now"
But she did not hear me. Strong
and courageous when [ was near tc
death, she had swept away my enemy
with sure and deadly aim, and calm
still when I needed her services tc
bind my wounded arm; but when it
was all over she was woman again.
She had tainted
1t was then my turn to become
nurse, and my strength did not fail
me in the emergency. I bathed her
face. L chafed her hands. Al last
she came to, her head resting on my
arm. Her eyes looked up into mine,
and she smiled. I was content. We
had both escaped death.