The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-08-20

CHAPTER XII.


we'll hid, and to this end he spent his days
in the cabin of the Ship, coming out only
when night had fallen, and then most cir
cumspectly. There were not the same rea-
sons for concealment in my case, however,
so | boarded the Ship soon after L left
Barbara that day and set up my easel as
nm excuse in case any chance observers
should look across the beach and see me.
This also gave me the chance TO keep
careful lookout.
It was perhaps 4 o'clock when. as
sat on the gunwale of the Ship, summing
myself and leisurely smoking pipe,
saw Charles approaching with pitcher
and glasses.
'"The afternoon being so warm,
thought that you and the other gentleman
might be wanting something cool to drink,
sir" he explained, when he had come
on board 80 | made a pitcher of claret
cup"
Much obliged to you. Charles. Take it
down to the cabin, where it'll keep cool
until we want it,
Charles disappeared with the clinking
pitcher. When he returned | spoke again.
what is Monsieur Duponceau doing?"
"He is lying in one Of the hunks, sir,
with his eyes wide open, and when he
sees me- he says, sort Of pleasant-like,
You're trying to make me think I'm back
In Paree, but unfortunately the setting
isn't the same !"
II don't expect to be much at home for
some time. Charles. I'm going to help
Monsieur Duponceau here. We may need
you suddenly, so keep an eye on the
broken mast, and if you see a lamp or
flag come over at once. Otherwise, keep
num-"
Eyes, Mr.. Felix. I've been pestered all
day with some of them skulking fellows
that wants to know my business. May l
land 'em one if they interfere?"
you man land 'em one whenever you
feel like it only, land so hard that there
won't be any comeback"
"Yes, l will, sir" and Charles made
so bold as to grin. l could see that the
spirit of fight was taking hold Of him
also.
1 went back to my pipe and my drowsy
survey of the sea. There was little wind,
and the oily rollers swept calmly in with
a curiously machine-like rhythm. Far
sent black ribbon across the sky; to the
west of the Shifting Shoal sloop was
lying to. waiting for the evening breezes.
l half dozed, thinking what a peaceful
scene it was.
Half an hour later 1 heard Duponceau
call my name from the cabin stairs.
ITS getting intolerably warm down
here might it not be possible for me to
come on deck if | kept in the shadow of
the gunwale?"
1 looked the situation over. and decid-
ed that no one could possibly see a man
who hid at the side of the ship, keeping
low down by the rail- 1 advised Dupon-
ceau of this, and then told him the mo-
ment, the beach being clear, he might dart
from the hatchway, and scurry across to
shelter. This he did, and, with a sigh
Of thankfulness at having reached fresh
outer air, he stretched himself in the
shadow, and l sat opposite, facing him
and watching the shore.
I've been sleeping" DupOnceau said,
$50 that | could stand watch tonight
What beautiful world! But it's not
like France nothing is like France. And
to think l may not see it again -
'Why?" l asked.
BECAUSE" He hesitated Because
l have enemies who would shut me away
from the sea and the sky and the sun,
and so | have to come to some lonely cor
ner of the New World. and seek refuge.
All, this new world Of yours 1t is good
for the young, but not for those who
have grown gray in the Old There is
only one world for them and one land
for me- love it as l might love a wom-
an"
Foreigners have tie habit Of sentiment i:
1t did not seem strange to me to listen to
the thoughts of an exile spoken in a
voice that was unsteady clear. The
frankness of the man cleared awav all
barriers.
Suddenly looking up, caught sight of
Barbara coming towards us by the path
behind the cliff. She carried a package
under her arm. AS watched her descend
carefully, l saw the two men that I had
met in the morning come out of the mines
and approach her. AS she saw them an.
pear, Barbara involuntarily glanced owe,
to the Ship, and the men instantly turr.
ed their eyes in the same direction. .nd
20 caught sight of me.
'Sit still and keep very low" 7 wb;s.
pered to Duponceau, under cover ~ NJ,
pipe.
Barbara took step forward.
mot so fast. Where are YOU po;no .,
demanded the surly faced chap.
Il am going where choose" she on
swered, and took another step.
You're not going out to that Sb;, ,
he stated. There's some one hiding ba,,
We mean to find"
l caught his words and jumped r. ~,
feet.
What's the trouble? Miss Graham
won't you come on board?"
l was careful to lean directly over H.,
ponceau. in order to shield him better
We'll all three come" announced III
man. d"
l was put out: it would be imno.s;h,
for Duponceau to crawl from RI. .ho,
ter OF the gunwale to the cabin now w;th
out being seen. l temporized.
WELL" said 1, "suppose-r
Come on" said the leader r. D.
bara; you were very anxious hsfo,a