Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1906-02-26
CHAPTER XIV.

screen beyond. Inere WIS Ho hAi'' Il
ing the earnest1ess of the threat, nor /
could the witnesses doubt the gnastIy
intention of the long, cruel knife that 1
cleaned on high. Peggy's body serv- {
ed as a shield for that of her captor.
Brewster and Bragdon recognized the
man as one of Mohammeds principal
retainers, a fierce looking fellow VINO s
had attracted more than usual atten-
ton on the day of the sheik's visit.
For Gods sake don't kill her!
cried Brewster in agonized tones.
There was diabolical grin on tne
face of the Arab, who was about TO
shout back some defiant taunt wnen
the unexpected happened.
The sharp crack of gun sounded
in the stern of Brewster's boat, anu
an unerring bullet sped straight TOT
the big Arabs forehead. 1t crashed
between his eyes and death must have
! been instantaneous. The knife flew |
from his hand his body Strengthened
and then collapsed, topping over, not /
among the oarsmen, but across the
grnwale of the craft. Before a mana
could be lifted to prevent the deao
Arab and the girl were plunged into
the sea.
A cry of horror went up from the
Americans and something surprising
ly like shout of triumph from the ao-
ductors. Even as Brewster poised Tor
the spring into the water a flying form
shot past him and into the sea with
resounding splash. The man that hfed
the shot had reckoned cleverly7 ana ne
was carving out the final details OF an
insured plan. The Arabs position DIS
he stood in the boat was sucn as 10
warrant the sailors belief that ne
could fall no other way than forward
and that meant over the side OF the
boat. With all this clearly in mlnd'
h he had shot straight and true ana was
Y on his way to the water almost as 'n7
4 two toppled overheard.
Monty Brewster was ia the water an
:, instant later, striking out for the spot
. where they had disappeared, little 70
the left of the course in which MS
~ boat was running. There was rattie
=, of firearms. with curses and cheers
but he paid no heed to these SOUNDS
10 He was a length or two behind tht
20 sailor, praying with all his soul ina
h one or the other might succeed
ut reaching the white robes that SUN KEEP
ds the surface of the water. HIS crew
k was "backing water and stralhlh'
no every muscle to bring the boat arouh
he sharp for the rescue.
on The sailors powerful strokes brougn
MS him to the spot first, but not IN TIM
nd TO clutch the disappearing white robes
IT. lust as he reached out an arm to gfas
a the form of the girl she went dow
He did not hesitate second, put 10
ter lowed. Peggy had fallen from u
ire dead Arabs embrace, and that worth
,h- already was at the bottom Of the sc;
,ey She was half conscious When the sn'
7as came, but the plunge into the coiu w
ere ter revived her. Her struggles wei
ON enough to keep her up for rev n ~
adj ments but not long enough Tor u
ter swimmers to reach her side: she L
ere herself going down and down. stfa
ded Cling. smothering, dying; theh SUN
thing yiselike clutched her ai LIZ a.
nv' she had the sensation OF oeins !eA ~
to upward violently.
ray The sailor fought his way 10 lile 81
ans face with the girl; ana RrFNStei w
~ at his side in an instant: @fogether tn
for supported her until one OF the boa
came I'D. and they were drawn oV
ew- the side to safety. By this time [
re- abductors had scattered like she
anne without a leader, and as there was
OH further object in pursuing them t
little American feet put back for
side yacht in great haste. Peggy was GU
rag conscious when carried aboard by
les. triumphant Brewster. The words
ID a whispered to her as she lay in the b
his tom of the boat were enough to 81
her life
What The excitement on. board the Fit
rev. was boundess Fear gave way to j
~ to and where despair had for NONE
mad reigned supreme there was now
5 de- most insane delight. Peggy was bl
d of died below and into her berth, Dr. [
RI in less attending her. Brewster and
sailor We're carried to place where
? the toddies We're TO be had before blankt
light You have returned the favor, c
It al roy" said Brewster fervently as
hers. leaned across the heads of his bear
N Of to shake hands with the sailor who 7
I'd in sharing the hcnors with him. Con
was grinning from ear to ear as he
came perched on the shoulders of his 81
they mates. Il was luckier than 1 thou
fugi- in saving your life that day.
fired 1T wasn't anything, Mr.. Brewst'
rican said young Conroy. 4 saw cha
from TO drop the big Niger, and then II
panic UP to me to get her out OF the wafer
Il the You took big rlsK, Conroy, put
/ the made good with IT, Ii IL mad not
tand- for you, my boy, lhey might nave
away with Miss Gray
called Don't mention it. Mr.. Brewster
after was nothing to do" protested Con
in confusion. I'D do anything In
-. -. -, . al Ear her