Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26
CHAPTER XXXIV.
At the Eleventh Hour.


a S there would be some four hours
~ of daylight and we could not at
tempt to get away until dark, l
urged Masita to lie down ana
rest while I thought over the
difficulties to be overcome in making our
escape.
One chief cause OF concern was In re-
gard to the boat. I knew that there was
one at the landing stage. but did not
know whether it was ready for sea. When
we reached tiff we did reach it at all
even seconds might be of vital import
ance 1t was almost certain we should be
pursued. and II. at the last moment, 1
had to hunt about for sailing gear. IT
might make all the difference between
escape and recapture: In other words.
between life and death.
saw that must have help outside.
therefore. and there was but one person
to whom 1 could look for this-A gapa
and ONLY one means of communicating
with her-through Pepita-
/ wished her to be out of the fort be
fore we left 1t. as it would be much safer
for her than to be found there by Bel
getting away unseen. AS Beltano would
be reckoning upon our falling into the
trap he had laid. he would not come near
us and would also keep the men away
I explained the position to Pepita. who
readily consented to do all l need. Il
myself will make sure that no one 1s
near the mouth of the path here" 1 told
her. land then you can get by round
about way to the huts. You must tell
Agapa that we mean to go tonight. and
you and she must contrive to have the
boat ready for us to leave the instant
We can get to it. When you have done
that you can manage to hide either in one
Of the huts or in the farmstead. as 1t is
not in the least likely that Beltano has
even missed you
Having made sure from the windows
overlooking the path that no one was in
sight I went down and opened the big
door and. with my revolver in readiness
against surprise, walked to the end of
the path 1t was all clear and beckoned
Pepita and waited until she was out Of
sight.
On my return went up to the lookout.
Beltano had given his orders cunningly.
The boat was standing right away to the
south. but at the same time so shaping
her course that she could reach the main
land as soon as she went about.
But I cared nothing for that. BY the
time she could get back with the help
Beltano had sent for. the issue between
The moon would rise about an hour later
than on the previous night. and thus
there would be about two hours of COM
parative darkness. That would be ample
for my purposes.
One question gave me long and earnest
consideration. What would Beltano do
when he found that we did not leave?:
came to the conclusion that he would set
a watch. close to the building. or keep
1t himself. If he did I should have to
the401arm and bring up the rest of the
mea
There was another hazard to guard
against If we got away from the island.
be- I4 IL
dangerous as some Of the men for whom
Beltano was sending might be there to
intercept us. I decided. therefore. to lay
a couree well to the north. round Cape
Saint Vito, and then make for Cinisi,
where there was a railway
: This would necessitate our being
much longer time at sea, and I told Ma
sta. when ] reused her at twilight. to
make such preparations as she could for
this, and to take with her something in
the way of provisions.
When all was in readiness we went
down to the door. Il am going first
alone 1 said. IT expect to find man
posted at the end of the path and / must
I have done that. will come back for
you. Don't go out until 1 come
"Letsme go with you now" she urged.
II would, if possible. but you would
almost certainly be seen, and my danger
would. be a hundred times greater" l
knew that If 1 put 1t in that way she
would give in.
1t was now quite dark enough for my
purpose. and opened the door as noise
iessly as possible and slipped out. A, driz-
cling rain was falling and the wind was
blowing hard. The sough Of it in the
olive trees close by was loud enough to
drown any sound 1 might make. But
meant to take no risks, so I threw my
self full length on the rocky path and
worked my way to the mouth with the
silent sleuth of an Indian.
The path down from the door was as
steep as IL was winding. but I knew
every inch Of it. and glided along to the
intervening slice of rock. behind which
expected to find the man on watch There
] doubled my caution. moving with the
utmost care and at a mere snail's pace
The dislodgment of even a single stone
might spoil everything. and / felt every
foot Of the way in front of me before
slid forward.
Then stopped and my heart quickened
The faint scent of tobacco was carried
in my direction by the wind.
had guessed rightly Some one was on
sentinel duty.
Inch by inch I edged my way forward
with my head close to the ground until |
could peer round the ledge of rock and
then instantly drew back as 1 saw the
man. Not more than a yard or two
separated US.
He was standing pressed close to the
rock for shelter against the rain, his
back to the wind and his face toward
me. Short as the distance was between
U.S. the fact that his face turned in
my direction would enable him to see
me before 1 could close with him. and
this would give him time to raise an
alarm.
I was disconnected by this for mo-
ment but then CROPPED about until found
fairly large stone. l rose and threw
the stone so that it would fall in some
bushes on the other side of him, and the
instant / heard the shuttle of his feet as
he turned in the direction Of the sound
It made. whipped round the ledge and
sprang on him and dragged him back
ward. He was caught entirely by sur
prise and my hand was on his throat be-
fore he could utter sound.
In the suddenness of the attack his
musket fell and a short struggle followed
in which he tried to get at his knife.
was much the stronger of the two. how
ever. and he would have had no chance
against me even If had not been fight
ing for my life. / dashed his head
against the rock until he lost conscious
ness and lay like helpless log in my
grip. and then I dragged him into the
bushes close by and. taking off the long
cloak he wore. left him to recover his
senses.
Just as I regained the path l heard
footsteps. / threw the cloak over my
shoulders. pulled my hat down over my
face. picked up his musket and stood
back against the rock if on guard.
With a start / recognized Beltano and
to my dismay. Agapa was with him.
knew that. although she had been only
too ready to helm me i'm getting Ma sit a