The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-03-17
CHAPTER X.

ana grlnned unpleaSantly, but ne
never countermanded the order.
"Starboard little, SIR" cried |
Gupp, who seemed to be greatly ex-
cited. STEADY! Now we'll soon |
have her aboard"
| Slowly, at a snail's pace, the
great ship crept up to the little bit
of unconscious life encased in its
huge cork belt. Her beautiful hair,
like trailing seaweed, floated upon
the water; her exquisite face was
white and drawn with all the
horror of death.
Gupp, who was hanging over the
bows, a most surprising eagerness
in his big face, once more yelled
out the direction, and presently we
| saw the white face drift by our
sharp cutwater Then, as we slow
ly forged past, the man who had
gone down over the side seized her
and In few moments she was up
on deck.
Here | Immediately pushed for
ward and took command, for Il
knew something Of such things,
having once seriously studied medi-
cine.
After dose of brandy, and sun
dry other little attentions, her
bosom began to heave, and her
breath came in quick, convulsive
gasps. Then her eyes opened.
"It's all right said Haylng soft
ly, still continuing to stroke her
hand. "You are quite safe and
among friends"
where is my father?" she said
at last.
81 daresay he Is WELL" said Hay
ling. eve shall see presently"
An odd, penetrating look came
into her eyes. She stared at him
intently.
"Who are your" she gasped, sit
ting up with an effort.
"A friend" said he.
81 know" she cried, intense fear
and adherence leaping to her face.
you are the thief who came in the
boat. You are going to kill me-"
"No, no." he said gently. "You
are with friends" Yet l knew that
her words froze all the manhood in
him.
But she would not be pacified.
you are a bad mani" she cried.
I"Will no one save me-" ....s
He turned rather pale, but after
a momentary struggle with the
lump in his throat, said:
you must not talk any more
now. Let me take you to your
cabin"
mo, not with you" she cried,
struggling violently. Il appeal to
these gentlemen
He got up with sad, grave smile
and beckoned to me.
Take her to my cabin" he whis-
pered.
Gupp and l raised her, and be-
tween us we escorted her to Hay
ling's room.
The ship was now going at full
speed, and curiosity taking me into
the wheelhouse aft, l saw by the
compass that We were steering al
most due south, or in the direction
from whence the Chung-Tong had
come. Therefore, bidding goodbye
to all thought Of ever seeing Ma
Mia, I tried to bear myself with
| fortitude, to be prepared for any
emergency, and to hope that In
some inexplicable way things
would right themselves. Wherever
we went, the voyage for me would
mean an unceasing vigil.
The captain, having set the
course, came aft in company with
tn hn
he saluted ironically.
WELL" he sneered, "have you
got over your qualms YETI"
This is no affair of mine, Capt.
Macshiel."
81 think you'll find it u.s." said
he. You're one OF us, whether you
like it or not; and immensely
ltickled with the thought. he banged
the mate playfully on the back.
81 am not one of you, nor will |
touch a penny of the plumber"
He laughed again. That's Meth
err here nor there. If we swing, I'll
take jolly good care that you keep
us company"
81 think not said |.
His eyes grew ugly, and he drew
down his forehead like a monkey.
was a fool to cross him at such a
moment, but the devil himself
wouldn't have frightened me just
then.
You're with US or you're not"
said he Then he smiled malevo-
Iently. Upon my soul, | don't
know why don't drop you over the
side" But I saw his evil little
eyes wander to the right-hand