Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-29
CHAPTER XIX.
On the Mainland.

On the Mainland.
My first thought as I ran to Masita s
help was that she had fallen into the
hands of the carabinieri. who were still
on the watch for me. But I was wrong
!, They were island men. One Of them was
stranger to me. but the other 1 recog-
nized as a fellow named Giovanni. They
had either crossed with Ahmet or had
been placed by Beltano as an additional
means of preventing Masita's escape.
AS soon as saw this I pocketed my
revolver could rescue her without vio-
lence. Let the lad 60 Giovanni 1 said
as reached them.
"Beppo!" he exclaimed. in surprise and
some fear.
Yes. Beppo Do what 1 say apd do 1t
at once"
But Betanos orders WERE
do what I say first and talk after
ward" I broke in. sternly.
He was holding Masita and drew back a
step. but his compa anton caught hold OF
her and faced me resolutely. don't
! take my orders from you he said.
Does Beltano know you are coming
here?' asked Giovanni. nervously.
| 81 will answer to him. Do as say"
| The two men whispered hurriedly to-
gether over Masita's head. Then the
question was repeated. this time by the
second man. and I could tell by his man.
ner that Giovanni had said enough about
me to change his tone.
| my patience is out. Do as I say"
cried. sternly.
Giovanni waited for no more and re-
leased his hold Of Masita at once. His
companion hesitated a second or two.
| loosed his hold. It's your doing" he
| said to Giovanni
Now that this foolery is done. get me
horse at Solferino's. Giovanni"
There are two here for our use" he
| replied. and led me to where they stood.
This was a stroke Of good luck. indeed;
| but I did not wish them to see us mount.
| They would have detected Masita's sex
in moment. Go down to the boat and
see that all Is in readiness for me to
leave the instant / return. told them.
They went off, but Giovanni returned a
moment later. You'll have to be care
| full. Beppo. The carabinieri are on the
! lookout for you
Masita heard this She had not opened
| her lips before them after that one cry of
alarm. but the instant he had left us
alone she urged me to let her go by her.
self
You have seen for yourself that this is
| Impossible. There Is no time to lose /
replied and without any more ado /
swung her up into the saddle.
You are very masterful' she pro-
tested.
"Can you manage the horse on that
| saddle?'
| For the second time she laughed but
this time there was a touch Of nervous
ness. almost OF hysteria. in the laugh. Il
can manage she murmnred.
On that I mounted and we set out.
Those men frightened me. 1 think"
she said. presently.
They would have taken you back to
the island. You might we'll be scared
rs there to be no end to my obligation
| to you?'
Yes. when you Teach your house. l
am sorry 1t gals you so much
How dare you say that? You know
that l. She checked herself and left
| the sentence unfinished.
mo matter what I know or do not
know. If you feel able now. we had bet
ter push on
For answer she urged her horse and
cantered on for some distance. She sat
her horse perfectly. I observed. as I let
her keep a little way ahead. When we
an escape Of capture on my return from
her house she drew rein and waited for
me to join her.
II am quite safe now You must go
back" she said. at once.
II am not going back. 1 shall not leave
you until you reach your house. We are
only wasting time"
II am among my own people now. No
harm can possibly happen.
We are wasting time" I repeated.
But ! will not have you with me. I
will not she declared. emphatically.
Then / will go on ahead and suiting
the act to the words ! clapped my heels
into my horses tanks and ratified down
the slope and up the other side at a smart
pace. leaving her no option but to follow.
She caught me up and passed me. and
| then drawing her horse nearly on his
launches. she turned so that he blocked
my path.
You shall not treat me as a child in
this way she exclaimed. almost angrily.
You must return while 1t is safe. If
you ride on again I will not follow
You are very willful. but II you think
your will Is stronger than mine. you do
not understand me. I tell you plainly
that no plea. no argument and no temper
you safe before l leave you
"Then listen to me-" she replied. her
voice vibrating with energy. IF you
won't do what I say, l declare on my
word will ride back to the boats and re-
turn to the island
You speak like a child" I exclaimed
and before she could guess my intention
l seized the bride OF her horse and dig
ging my heels into my own animal,
forced the two to canter on. keeping my
grip Of her rein. and turning a deaf ear
alike to her protests. reproaches and
anger.
In this way we travelled for a mile or
more. until 1 knew that we had reached
the boundary Of her estate. I released
her then and she halted Immediately.
pulled up also and looked for a very
angry outburst.
But she laughed 1T was a cowafdly
trick" she declared.
There was no other way and I am
not easy to Cross
Don't / know that now? You do not
leave me much chance of not learning 1t.
I was never treated so In all my life
You made my very blood boil with rage
If had whip could have struck you -
Il knew that you had none. and 1 do
not fear your anger. / know that this
gate leads to your house Will you ride
there or shall l take the horse back with
me?"
Where are you going?" she asked.
after a slight pause.
Il have not yet decided. My task Is
finished. You will be safe now that you
| are on your own ground"
But you?"
! laughed. II can look after myself"
II mean. would you rather have the
horse or will it hamper your She Stun
bled over the question as If it were hard
to frame
1T Will probably make no sort of diff
ference. I will open the gate" and I
dismounted and did az said.
II shall be safe ons foot she replied
as she slipped from the saddle and put
| the bride into my hand. How am 1 to
thank you?'
II ask no thanks. and deserve none I
have but repaired some of the trouble I
| caused you before. Stay There are two
favors you can grant me. Keep out of