The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-12-15
CHAPTER TX.
Continued.

She put her stores in little %crannies
of the rock wall, brought a tin kettle
of water from the spring and set'it to
heat on the fire. ~JacQueline watched
her, and the lo~ng-legged, red-haired
girl with her mischievous eyes and
turned-up nose, seemed now like
some angel of light.
"Oh, Vic" she said, at last, "since
Joe Raby knows so much about the
cave, will he not be sure to think of
it as our probable hiding place when
we are missed from the stone
house?"
Maybe" Vic, admitted, "but don't
you go half way to meet any trouble
tonight, miss! Just tell me. all you
saw on the beach,, and I'll know
whether the crack on your head
made You luny, or if there's really
new mischief afoot on the island"
J%acqueline told her story, and Vic
listened. pouring the narrator a cup
of tea the while, and pressing upon
her a breast of roast fowl and part
of a wheaton loaf.
"St. George!" Vic pondered. eyes,
miss, that's the name that was on
the letter Mrs. Trevor sent by me to
Watchhaven! I see it all plain
enough. She told him to come at
nightfall, because Raby is off his
guard. so to speak, about that time;
and she told him, too, to avoid the
pier, and make for the little beach
under the rocks. Yes, that's straight.
You didn't dream it! Now, the Lord
only knows whether Mrs. Trevor and
the man got off or. not. I'm sure l
hope Mr.. St. George cracked Peters
head, but he didn't, or you and 1
would have found the remains.
When l came down the rocks, whist
ling to you, I didn't see a soul nor
hear a sound"
I'm afraid" shivered Jacqueline,
that something dreadful happened
after I lost consciousness. Those ruff
fans never let Mrs. Trevor escape
Maybe not" assented Vic, "but
don't you distress yourself more
about it. I. want to make you COM
Portable for the night. Eat a little
of the chicken-do. It's good,
though that black Portugee woman
cooked it, and won't she buzz like a
mad hornet when she finds it gone
from her pantry" i
"vic, how long must we stay on
this Dragons Nose?"
THAT depends, miss-till it's pos
Sible to get off, I 'spects. At a pinch,
I can steal Raby's skiff, and row you
to mainland-that is, If the, weather
holds good. Now you lay down and
rest. and we'll talk more about this
matter in the morning" Il
Vic's cheerfulness was mostly as
sumed. She was >shrewd girl and
she fully realized J~acqueline's peril.
Easily her foes might track her to
that rabbit-burrow of a cave, Dead
mans Island knew no law but the
will of Philip Trevor. /
The fire burned low and left a bed ,
Of embers that shone softly in the
gloom. The sea wind blew through
the mouth Of the ave and tossed the
shadows of the cedars to and fro in
the moonlight. Vic, stretched on a
blanket near Jacqueline, heard the
sudden lap of water.
Tides coming in!" she said, land
at high water we're cut off from
Deadman's. I'd better go out and
take a look around before we fall
asleep" -.
J~acqueline had no mind to be left
alone in the cave, She started up
and signiied her intention, of follow
ing Vic. The two went together.
The tide was fast running into the
channel. 1t was easy to see that in
storms a formidable surf would drive
through the passage. The moon
shone brightly or the vast waters.
Look" said Vic, suddenly catch
ing Jacqueline by the dress, "oh,
look, miss-round the point there"
Out from the shadow Of Dead
mans Island 4 dark object came into
view drifting toward tho entrance of
the channel. 1t was a boat, but emp
ty and o~arless. The tide, which here
set strongly toward the passage, was
sweeping the small craft in the same
direction-tessing is up and down,
like a cookie shell.
Good Lord" cried Vic, in a sud-
den excitement. Il know that boat!
It's Jim Bumpus' Victory-named
for me. It's got adrift from Watch
haven. I wonder what strange wind
blew is over to Dragons Nose?"'
She tore off shoes and stockings
and gathering her skirts, prepared to
wade out and secure the prize.
"A few minutes ago we were won
dering how we'd ever leave the
Nose" she said. Now the way is
plain, miss-we"n go in Jim's boat,
to be sure!'
Let me help you!' implored JAG
aueline, but Vic waved her back.
mo, you'll get wet. I'm used to
such things. I'll bring her in all
right. Jim will have to pay me sal
wage"
She dashed out into the water and
made for the drifting boat, which
curtsied, SHE'D, evaded her. Waist
deep in the brine, Vic clutched and
secured it at last. J%acqueline ran to
assist in drawing the prize to land.
The task was so difficult that Vic ut
tered an exclamation Of disgust. Not
till the boat was properly secured did
either of the girls look into it. Then