The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-22
CHAPTER X.
Continued.

with you, I know. Mr.. Trevor bids
me to say that she must return tc
the house with me. He's ready to
settle the business between them to
her full satisfaction. I'm to tell her
also that the skipper has repaired
the sloop, and she can sail for the
mainland in the morning"
While speaking, Peter was press
ing nearer and nearer the door of the
cave. Vic blocked the opening, but
over her shoulder he could see JAG
queline, tall and beautiful in the light
of the fire and the candle.
Stand off, Peter, my friend!"
warned Vic. IF this is your errand,
why did you bring Joe Raby along?
One mans enough to carry such a
message. I'll take it on myself to
answer that Miss Hatton will not 60
back with you to the stone house
not on your precious life, Peter"
Peter set his teeth together with a
sharp click, whereat Joe Raby stalked
forward to join his comrade. His
villainous face was surly and lower
ing. ..i
vic, We know I love We true" he
began, land I've asked We more'n
once to marry me, though I amt of
the marrying kind. I consorted along
o. Peter to help him persuade We to
come out O. that woodchuck hole-it
amt nowise safe for girls like We to
stay here O. nights. Ye've got to go
back with US to the house-Mr. Ire
vor and his wife want ye-we all
want ye."
DO you, now?" cried Vic, in de-
rision. You precious pair of scoun-
drels! Not a foot will Miss Hatton
and 1 go in your company. The like
of you amt fit to look at us-much
less bring US such a message at this
hour of night"
"Vic, I tell ye, I love We true! I'll
take good car O. We, my dear. Mrs.
Trevor and the Portugee cook are
crying their eyes out to see ye again"
"Mrs. Treyor!" echoed Vic, her
wrath bubbling in her voice. Like
enough you've killed the poor lady by
this time. Keep off, Joe Raby! If
you try to get in here, you lying thief,
Ill make you rue it."
But the two men were not to be
intimidated by a girls threat.
You'll 60 with us willing" shout
ed the skipper, "or we'll take ye I'M
willing" '..
And the next moment the pair had
hurled down the piece Of driftwood
mast like a wisp Of straw, and leaped
into the cave. Raby was foremost.
But swift as he was, Vic was swifter.
She snatched from the fire the kettle
Of boiling water, and dashed it full
in the shippers swarthy face. With a
howl of pain, Raby staggered back.
Meanwhile, Peter of the cross-eyes
made a rush for Jacqueline. Her
pale, naughty look went through him
like a sword, but his wicked hands
grasped and held her fast.
my beauty" he said, with his
odious face close to hers, his breath
on her cheek.
She tried to hurl him back. A
scream of fear escaped her. Vic
was absorbed in belaboring Joe Raby
over the head with the tin kettle.
Yet Jacqueline's cry for help was not
left unanswered. The blankets on
the floor heaved suddenly upward.
"A CHASTITY figure, with a white face
swathed in something like grave
clothes, and eyes wild and bright as
lightning, leaped up in the midst of
the commotion, seized the piece Of
mast that had rolled toward him in
the struggle, and brought it down
with a fearful crack on the arm that
Peter had thrown around Miss Hat
ton. The offending member, frac-
tured and helpless, fell as if a thun-
derbolt had smitten it. St. George,
pale and terrible, swung his clumsy
weapon aloft for a second blow, but
Peter, yelling in fear and agony, and
with hair rising on his head, made q
desperate plunge for the cave door.
The skipper followed. Both had rec
ognized the victim of tie oarless boat.
They fed in wild haste, stumbling
headlong ove the rocks, and in his
1gnominious retreat, Joe Raby poured
forth a volume Of extraordinary
oaths, which the wind waited back to
the ears of Vic and Miss Hatton.
J~acqueline listened only a mo-
ment, then she ran to st. George. The
driftwood had dropped from his
hand. His sudden strength was
spent. He reeled and the two girls
laid him gently back on the blankets.
Queer" whispered Vic in an
awestruck tone, how he understood
miss"
YES" answered J%acqueline, and
her handsome face was like chalk.
Through all his delirium, her cry
of need had reached him--dispelled
for m instant the stupor that held
his senses, and neryed him to rise and
strike for her. 1t was st. George who
had saved the situation and routed
the enemy.
I've brought medicines from the
chest at the stone house." said Vic
THE walls are labeled, and maybe
you'll know how to use EN-. I got in
through a pantry window. l saw no.
body. though l heard the Portugee
cook among her pots and pans. Where
Mrs. Trevor is l can't tell. Oh, but
my hearts broke about the oars!
found 'em at Joe's hut, and was maxi
ing off with EN- on my shoulder wh-T
Peter gave chase. Joe will be a sight