The Oakes times., 1906-06-07
CHAPTER XIV.

REWSTER'S heart almost ceas-
* ed beating, and every vestige
Of color left his face. Clear
- and distinct in the light from
the yacht the Arab and bis burden
screen beyond. There was no mistak-
ing the earnestIess Of the threat, nor
could the witnesses doubt the ghastly
intention Of the long, cruel knife that
cleaned on high. Peggy's body serv-
ed as shield for that Of her captor.
Brewster and Bragdon recognized the
man as one Of Mohammed's principal
retainers,. fierce looking fellow who
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 diabollcal grin on the
face Of the Arab, who was about to
shout back some defiant taunt when
the unexpected happened.
The sharp crack Of gun sounded
in the stern Of Brewster's boat, and
an unerring bullet sped straight for
the big Arabs forehead. It crashed
between bis eyes and death must have
been instantaneous. The knife few
from his hand, his body Strengthened
and then collapsed, toppling over, not
among the oarsmen, but across the
gunwale of the craft. Before a hand
could be lifted to prevent, the dead
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 alb
ductors. Even as Brewster poised for
the spring into the water flying form
shot past him and into the sea with
resounding splash. The man that fred
the shot had reckoned cleverly, and he
was carrying out the final details Of an
inspired plan. The Arabs position as
he stood in the boat was such as to
warrant the sailors belief that he
could fall no other way than forward,
and that meant over the side of the
boat. With all this clearly in mind,
be had shot straight and true and was
on his way to- the water almost as the
two toppled overheard.
Monty Brewster was in the water an
instant later, striking out for the spot
where they had disappeared. little to
the left Of the course in which his
boat was running. There was rattle
of firearms, With curses and cheers,
but he paid no heed to these sounds.
He was a length or two behind the
sailor, praying with all his soul that
one or the other might succeed In
reaching the white robes that still kept
the surface of the water. His crew
was "backing water" and straining
! every muscle to bring the boat around
sharp for the rescue.
The sailors powerful strokes brought
him to the spot first, but not In time
to clutch the disappearing white robes.
Just as he reached out an arm to grasp
the form Of the girl she went down.
He did not hesitate second, but fol-
lowed. Peggy had fallen from the
dead Arabs embrace, and that worthy
already was at the bottom Of the sea.
She was half conscious when the shot
came, but the plunge into the cold wa
ter revived her. Her struggles were
enough to keep her up for few mo-
ments, but not long enough for the
swimmers to reach her side. She felt
herself going down and down, stran.
Cling, smothering. dying: then some
thing viselike clutched her arm, and
she had the sensation Of being jerked
upward Violently.
The sailor fought his way to the sur
face with the girl. and Brewster was
at his side in an instant Together they