Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-15
CHAPTER TX.
\ A Professor of Witchcraft.

Quickly as Elsie had reached the deck
the warlike sounds which disturbed her
rest had ceased. Save for the footsteps
of men whom she could not see, the
prevalent noises were caused only by
wind and sleet While she was hurrying
forward as rapidly as the darkness per-
mitted, the lights were switched on with
suddenness that made her gasp. The
dog began to bark again, but it was easy
to distinguish his sharp yelps of excite
ment and defiance from the earlier notes
of alarmed suspicion. In fact. joey him.
self was the first to discover the stealthy
approach Of the Indians. Courtenay and
Tollemache, who took the middle watch,
from midnight to 4 am. had failed to
note the presence of several canoes on
the ink-black surface of the bay until
the dog warned them by growing and
ruffiing the bristles on his back. The
night was pitch dark: the rising moon
was not only hidden by the hills of the
island. but frequent storms Of rain and
hail rendered 1t impossible while they
ragged to see or hear beyond the distance
of few feet. In all probability, as the
canoes bore down from windward. Joey
had scented them. He also gave the
highly important information as to the
quarter from which attack might be eX-
pected. Three men, at least, had gained
the deck. but the prompt use of a re-
volver had caused them to retreat as 81
lently and speedily as they had appeared.
That was all. There was no actual fight.
The phantoms vanished as silently as
they came. The only external lights on
the ship were the masthead and side
lights, hoisted by Courtenay to reveal the
steamers whereabouts in case one of the
boats CHANGED to be driven into the bay
during the dark hours. There was an
electric lamp turned on in the donkey
engine room, and another in the main
saloon, but means were taken to exclude
them from showing without; if the In
dams meant to be actively hostile, lights
on board would be more helpful to the
assaiants than to the assailed.
When the captain and Tollemache fol-
lowed Joey's lead. they discerned three
demoniac figures. vaguely outlined by the
act of climbing the rails They fired in
stantly. and the naked forms vanished
both men thought they heard the splash
ing caused by the leaping or falling of the
Indians into the sea. BY the same SUBJ
dued radiance Courtenay made out the
top of pole or mast sticking up close to
the ships side. He leaned over. fired a
couple of shots downward at random.
seized the pole. and dashed it to a
stanchion with loose rope end, rem
nant of one of the awnings. A small
craft. even an Indian canoe, would be
scare the attackers.
Telling Tollemache to mount guard, he
raced back to the saloon hatch and sum-
moned assistance. The others searched
the ship in small detachments. but the
Indians were gone; it was manifest that
none beyond those driven off at the first
onset had secured a footing on deck.
Then, taking the risk Of being shot at.
Courtenay ordered the lights to be turned
on. and the first person he saw clearly
was Elsie. He was almost genuinely
angry with her.
What are you doing here?" he de-
manded.
She was learning not to fear his brusque
ways. He was no carpet knight. and
men who carry their lives in their hands
do not pick and choose their words.
Il thought you were in danger. SO ]
came to help she said calmly.
You must go back to your cabin at
once"
why? OF what avail is the safety OF
my cabin If you are killed."
A woman's logic is apt to be irritating
when one expects a flight Of arrows, or,
it may be. gunshot, out Of the blackness
few feet away
For goodness sake. stand here. then.
he cried, selling her arm, and compelling
her to shelter behind the heavy molding
which carried the bridge.
She did not object to his roughness. In
the midst of actual peril impressions are
apt to be cameo-cut In their preciSepesS,
| and she liked him all the more because
he treated her quite roughly. OF course
the mere presence of a woman at such a
time was a hindrance. But she was de-
termined not to return to her stateroom
and. indeed, her obstinacy was reason
able enough. seeing the condition of af-
fairs on board the Kansas.
The captain quilted her COR moment in
order to dispatch a Chilean sanor for a
lantern and long cord. He wished ia
investigate the captured canoe.
Christobal, who had made the round OF
the promenade deck, came up.
"Oh. We're you here, too?" he asked, on
seeing the girl.
II am here. If that is what you mean. "
she cried. II heard Joey barking and
the shots that followed. Naturally. !
wished to find out what had happened"
SORRY. I imagined you We're sleepless
like myself. and had Joined Courtenay
during his watch That explanation must
have sufi1ced. In any case, we have other
things to trouble us at present
Elsie had never before heard the Span
lard speaking SO offhandedly. She gave