Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-28
CHAPTER XVI.
Christobal's Termination.

"By the way, what of Monsieur de Poin-
cilit?" said Courtenay. II saw him come
aboard with Malcolm. but he Owed into
the saloon. and has not reappeared. Is
he ill?''
Gray's mouth set like steel trap; his
eyes had CLINT in them. He seemed to
be unwilling to speak: when words came,
they were cold and, measured
Il haven't any use for that fellow" he
said II suppose the unpleasant story
must be told sooner or later, so here goes
In the first place, Poincilit forgot that
understood Spanish, and heard him
yelping to the Chileans in the jolly boat
that If we took any more people on board
We should be swamped. 1t was he who
put the notion in their heads to cast off
while you were lowering Miss Barings
maid into my arms. 1 tried to forget
that, as he was blue-white with fear. and
some fellows are not responsible for their
actions when their liver melts. But / can
terday morning I was just in time to stop
him and four others from sneak1ng off in
the Hfeboat with all our provisions"
Courtenay's' face hardened too.
Necessity may have no laws" said he ;
but l fancy 1 should have found a code
to meet his case"
Il have organized a vigilance commit
tee in my time. and it's articles kind Of
fitted in" was the Americans quiet
reply. THAT is why 1 have few recent
knife-cuts distributed about my skin; 1
began to shoot and We were two short on
the muster roll next day. De Poinclit
ran and fell on his knees. So did a skunk
of an italian, and l did not want to
waste cartridges. They were tied back to
back until we sailed today"
And the fifth"
"The fifth was a woman"
"HuhI' Boyle reached out for bottle
of wine and refilled his glass. For lit
tie while there was silence. Then Courte-
nay muttered:
Poor devil of a count. She gave me
OF the tree and I did eat. Did he blame
the woman
We'll, yes. But it was mean bust
ness. anyhow"
Better sponge it Off the slate. eh?''
II agree heartily. Drink up. Boyle. and
pass the buck. l have a five years
thirst"
They talked until daybreak; then
Courtenay turned in. He did not appear
the Kansas had lost all marks of the
fight. excepting the smashed windows
and a sailor who understood the glaciers
art was replacing the broken glass. Max
ing the round of the ship the captain
found Elsie sitting with Isobel and Mrs.
somerville on the promenade, deck. She
was binding Joey's foot, and: he knew
then why the dog had scampered off on
three legs as soon as the cabin door was
opened.
The girl celored very prettily the mo-
ment she set eyes on her lover. Memories
of the previous night became exceedingly
vivid. She was adprably shy, Courtenay
thought. AS he approached. he debated
the manner of his greeting; being sailor,
he did not hesitate. ( :;
Lifting his cap with smile and gen.
eral Good morning" Ne bent over Elsie.
We'll" he said. surely you owe me at
least one kiss?"
II her cheeks were red before they be-
came scarlet now. But his kindling
glance had warned her that he would
adopt no pretense, so she lifted her face
to his, though she did not dare to look at
her amazed companions Courtenay ex-
planned matters quite coolly.
IF Elsie has not told you already, 1t is
my privilege to announce that she and l
have signed articles he said, with a
smile. THAT Is. we intend to get married
as soon as the ship reaches England"
Indeed, l congratulate you both most
heartily" said the misssonary's wife
Events have marched. then. while we
were stranded on that wretched island?'