, 1911-03-23
CHAPTER TX.
Waiting for Dawn.

Cayley wheeled sd that he headed
up into the wind and dropped, facing
the girl and with his back to her re-
treating assailant. He had to drop al
most vertically in order to avoid be-
ing blown out into the sea after he
struck the ice. Even as It was, he
went slithering down the CLASSY slope
toward the water, and only managed
to check his impetus by throwing him
self Nat on his fac and clutching at a
hummock which CHANGED to offer him
a %precarious hold. He had come down
"all adrift" as sailors say, and his
monstroUs wings, powerless for fight
but instinct with Tapping perversity,
cost him a momentary struggle while
he was getting them bundled into con
trollable shape.
But, thanks as much to luck as to
skill, he presently found himself upon
his feet uninjured. He at once set
out, making what haste he could
across the ice toward where he had
last seen the girl, shouting up the
gale to her at the same time. to know
If she were safe. He heard no an
swer. but presently made her out, dim
ly. only a pace or two away. His first
act then, ever before speaking, vas to
take out his pocket electric bull's-eye
and turn It full upon her.
It's just to make sure you're not
hurt-that I really got down here in
time" he apologized. ST wish / might
have saved you the terror, but 1t
wasn't until you cried out that I
knew"
I'm not hurt" she assured him
I'm a little dazed, that's all.-No.
not with fright, with wonder. | hard
ly had time to be frightened. But |
thought you'd gone this morning. that
you had abandoned us Just as you said
you would. And yet, when | cried
out Just now. for help. It was you that
I called to. And then you
came, out of the sky, Just Is ] was
with the same certainty one has in
dreams. Now, that it's over I find
myself wondering again II you are
real. I'm not hurt at all"
Before he could find anything to say
in answer, they heard another shot,
mufled In the fog, from the direction
OF the Aurora. and in prompt reply to
1t, another volley.
Wasn't there firing before?" she
asked. Can any one be attacking the
yacht? There is no one there but
Tom. you know. and he's disabled
Can't we.-can't I, get out there n
way? The boat I came ashore in is
right here"
Without making her any answer, he
carried the unwieldly bundle his wings
made into the hut and left 1t there,
then returned to her and offered her
his hand.
Well go down and look for your
boat" he said.
Along the waters edge they
searched, aided by the little beam from
his bull's-eye, the sound of intermit.
tent firing from the yacht urging haste
all the while. But It did not take long
TO force the conviction Upon them thai
the boat was gone. Blown adrift.
most likely, was Cayley's explanation
He felt her trembling. Whether
with cold or dread, he did o know
but he took her arm and steadied her
with the pressure Of his own.
Come back to the hut" he said
1.-THE situation isn't as bad as yos
think, III tell you when we &c 20
shelter where we can talk"
She turned obgdiently, and bref q
the icy slope with him. Neither g c.e
again until they were safe in tho ZEE
of the hut. Then he said:
I don't think Fanshaw is acne
there on the yacht. The relief rty
and the first party from the Az ora
got together some time this aftc, loon
and started back toward the 3! ore.
They should be aboard The yach- by
now, though when the fog fell il put
an end to my activities. The Virus
people have undoubtedly attacked
them, but they shouldn't hevs any
trouble In beating them on. They out
pumhar than and thaY ART better