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

CHAPTER XII.
For forty-eight hours longer the
situation in the cave remained IN
changed. The loss, of the boat was
an u%nspeakable disaster, but a new
hope soon dawned upon the fugitives.
Jim Bumpus,". said Vic, will
know something is wrong, when the
Victory and Mr.. st. George fail to re-
turn to, Watchhaven, and he'll come
to Deadman's, if only to look for his
property"
But Vic, who will guide him to
our hiding placer" F..
"Oh, Jim is cute. He'll know
things ARE wrong when he don't see
me. He'll find us somehow-you just
trust Jim"
The wounded maj stirred on his
blankets and opened his eyes. In
them the unmistakable light Of rea-
son shone once more. He called JAG
q~ueline's name in bewilderment.
miss Hatton!" =
EYES," she answered, bending down
to him like a plying angel. Il am
your nurse! You must keep very
quiet and presently I will tell you
everything" .-t.' ~. 49,
He lay for a space, his troubled
gaze wandering around the cave, fol-
lowing her movements and Vic's.
Then he fell into a deep, restful sleep.
When he awoke her name was again
on his lips.
my curiosity is too much for me-"
he pleaded; "I have been in a terri
BILE maze of dreams, but my head is
now quite clear and I am anxious to
know how I came in a place like
this" IF. %
She laid a light finger on his pulse.
The beats were full and regular. A
great JOY beamed frankly from her
incompatible eyes. The danger was
over! She sat down on a piece of
driftwood by his rude couch and told
him the whole story. .
"And you saw me on the beach,"
he murmured; you overheard the
conversation them"
II was an involuntary eaVesdrop-
per-" replied Jacqueline, coloring
high. Being in personal peril my
self, l dared not move from my hid
ing place" -
Miss Hatton, I am very glad to be
saved from unhappy explanations
Vic brought the patient a cup OF
milk, which he drank with relish.
%Jacqueline was gazing through the
cave door into the blue sea-distance.
IT need not tell you, Mr.. ST..
George" she said, ina disturbed tone,
how glad 1 am to see this improve
ment in your condition. Our position
is most perilous-most untenable!"
Vic made a grimace.
The night of the scrimmage
prove that, all right"
St. George started-ixed his hol-
low eyes on J%acqueline.
The night of the scrimmage! I
have some dim recollection-yes!
Did ! not hear a woman scream? l
can swear I did, and that woman was
you!"
She turned from red to white.
I'VE had trouble in the cave" she
faltered, land you came to my help.
You were sick and delirious, but"
with an irrepressible smile, you car
ried all before you"
That you did" cried Vic, glee-
fully. 1T made me feel good to see
you whack Peter! If he hadn't run
for dear life, he'd have left all his
brains behind him. He knew you
was the man he gagged and bound
and set adrift in Jim's boat. Say,
he and Skipper Joe ought to be hung
up by the same rope"
THAT night on the beach," said
St. George, those fellows took me
unawares. Foolishly enough, l had
come to Deadman's Island unarmed.
After the blows / received on my
head I know not what happened"
He lay silently rejecting. To the
q, happy accident of the Victory drift
ing upon Dragons Nose, within reach
Of the two girls, he owned his escape
from death. He say that the few
necessities in the cave had been Who'll
~ given to him. Both nurses looked
worn and pale and anxious, and he
kaew he had increased their troubles
and dangers an hundred fold.
+ II w you ~unspeakable things"
he managed to say. Il hope you be-
lieve I am grateful. How did you
two slender creatures carry a big,
hulking fellow like me from the boat
. to this cave?"
I'VE had planned to carry you
back, sir" answered Vic, ch%eerfully,
but Joe and Peter stole the Victory
and spoilt all that. We've told you a
lot of black stories, sir, but don't you
fret-I keep the tea kettle billing con-
tinual for Joe, and as for Peter, he
won't venture near the cave again
ill his arm is healed"
st. George looked grave.