The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-05-21
CHAPTER TX.

~ UICKLY as Elsie had reached
the deck, the warlike sounds
which disturbed her rest hai
- ceased. Save for the foot
steps Of men whom she could not see
the prevalent noises were caused only
by wind and sleet While she was hur
rying forward as rapidly as the dark
ness permitted, the lights were switch
ed on with a suddenness that made hel
gasp. The dog began to bark again
but it was easy to distinguish his SHARP
yelps of excitement and defiance from
the earlier notes of alarmed suspicion
In fact, Joey himself was the first tC
discover the stealthy approach of the
Indians. Courtenay and Tollemache
who took the middle watch, from mid
night to a. M, 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 ruff1ing
the bristles on his back. The night
was pitch dark. The moon was not
only hidden by the hills of the island
but frequent storms of rain and hail
rendered it impossible while they
ragged to see or hear beyond the dis
tance of a few feet.
In all proba ability as the canoes bore
down from windward joey had scent
ed them. He also gave the highly i'm.
portant information as to the quarter
from which attack might be expected
Three men at least had gained the
deck, but the prompt use of revolver
had caused them to retreat as silently
and speedily as they had appeared.
That was all. There was no actual
fight. The phantoms vanished as ST.
lently as they came. The only exter-
nal lights on the ship were the mast
head and side lights hoisted by Courte-
nay to reveal the steamers where
abouts in case one of the boats chanced
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 salon,
but means were taken to exclude them
from showing without. If the Indians
meant to be actively hostile, lights on
board would be more helpful to the
assailants than to the assailed.
When the captain and Tollemache
followed Joey's lead, they discerned
three demoniac figures vaguely outlined
by the ruddy glare Of the port light in
the very act of climbing the rails.
They fired instantly, and the naked
forms vanished. Both men thought
they heard the splashing caused by the
leaping or falling of the Indians into
the sea By the same subdued radi-
ance Courtenay made out the top of a
pole or mast sticking up close to the
ships side. He leaned over, fred a
couple Of shots downward at random,
seized the pole and lashed it to a
stanchion with loose rope end. a
remnant Of one Of the awnings. A
small craft, even an Indian canoe,
would be most useful, and its capture
might tend to scare the attackers.
Telling Tollemache to mount guard
he raced back to the saloon hatch and
summoned assistance. The others
searched the ship in small detach.
ments, but the Indians were gone. II
was manifest that none beyond those
driven off at the first onset had Sc
cured footing on deck. Then, taking
the risk of being shot at, Courtenay or
dered 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 bis
brusque ways. He was no carpet
knight, and men who carry their lives
in their hands do not pick and choose
their words.
II thought you were in danger, so
came to help" she said calmly.
"You must 60 back to your cabin al
once"
"Why? OF what avail is the safety
of my cabin if you are killedY'
A woman's logic is apt to be irritat.
ing when one expects a fight of ar
rows or, it may be, gunshot out OF
the blackness few feet away.
For goodness sake, stand here
then" he cried, seizing her arm and
compelling her to shelter behind the
heavy molding which carried the
bridge. Then he quilted her for a
moment in order to dispatch Chilean
sailor for lantern and long cord
He wished to investigate the captured
canoe.
The lantern was brought. Courtenay
stood on the lowermost rail and care
fully paid out rope to which the
light was slung. He was far too brave
a man to take undue risks. He was
ready to shoot instantly If need be-
and by his instructions Tollemache
and Walker kept watch as best they
could in case other canoes were lying
close to the ship.
Any doubt in this regard was dis.
PEELED in a singular manner. The dick
ering rays Of the lantern had barely
revealed the primitive craft lying
alongside when voice came from the
depths, crying in broken Spanish:
Don't shoot, senors! Spare me, fol
the love Of heaven! am a white man
from Argentina"
Christobal and Elsie alone understood
the exact significance Of the words
Courtenay Of course knew what Ian
guage was being spoken, and it was
easy to guess the nature of the appeal