The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1911-11-15
4 RIO lance
CHAPTER XIX.

aAC s-1 GASEA I-SaA III AGAA~ lac
rapid pace at which they lad made
the ascent from the beach had told
upon her more than Coast would have
realized but for insuppressible evil
dences Of distress she betrayed, her
laggard footsteps and her labored
breathing. Passing an arm round her
waist, he held her up and gave her
what support and help he could. but
when they had gained the summit OF
the first ridge inland, between the
farmhouse and deserted village, he
had to pause and rest.
From that point OF vantage, with
the broad crescent OF the beach spread
out beneath their gaze, they watched
the landing Of the seine-boat
Like some huge water insect OF
many legs, black body silhouetted
against the silvered sea, 1t sped In
shore, four long oars to a side Dip
ping and lifting with the rhythmicai
beat of perfect piece of machinery.
Then Of q sudden with precise ac-
cord the oars were lifted and laid in:
at slowly decreasing speed the long
boat slipped through the shoaling wa
tiers and nosed the sands. Four ng-
ures leaped overheard and grasping
the thwarts hauled the bows high up
on the beach. Others followed, some
lingering to help drag the long-boat
out of the tiGe's limits. some trottine
to Blackstock's aid
With difficulty, because OF the mo-
mentarily fading light, Coast counted
the company of the newcomers; they
mum bered. as nearly as he could es-
innate ten. With Blackstock and
Chang, that meant twelve to two
fourteen to two, If he Were to include
the two coolies in the farmhouse
He withheld a groan Of dismay, and
frightened his arm round the woman's
waist, unconsciously consecrating his
life to her defense Blackstock
should recapture her only when he,
Coast, had fallen fighting.
Dimly through the cleaning he saw
Blackstock lifted to his feet before
the throng closed round him, vague
dark blur about the boat. From the
east the tall, gaunt figure of Chang
was moving with long and steady
strides back to join them.
AS yet there was no indication of
pursuit.
None the less, Coast stirred uneasi-
ly and glanced in sohcitude down at
the pale oval of the face resting
YEARLY against his shoulder.
Feeling better?" he inquired gent
ly. DO you think you can walk,
dear?"
She drew In a deep breath and
| nodded assent. I'm all right, now."
she said, though still her respiration
| sounded harsh and uneven; "at least,
| will be presently. Are they
coming?" she added with q start
NO" he answered. They're not
| worrying about us We can't get far
not of the island. When we're
wanted. they'll And us easily enough,
| I'm afraid. For the present, Black
| stocks entertaining them with the
story Of his misadventure." He laugh
| ed shortly. Come" he said; and
they turned again inland, moving at
| brisk walk toward the bungalow
with what purpose neither could have
said.
But that seine-boat?" he asked
suddenly. moment later. Where
under Heaven did she drop from? You
spoke Of the schooner p"
TITS ashore" she told him. Il saw
1t all from the bungalow. &.
| had been inside, looking for my trunk
keys. 1 couldn't seem to find them
| at first. He was In the wireless-room
when l went in, but by the time l
| found the keys he had disappeared. l
| went to the door and stood looking
out. wondering what had become of
him and whether l dared risk a re-
turn to the beach-and you-while 1t
was still so light; and suddenly the
schooner shot out of the mist a little
south Of the point, over there in the
west. She was running under power
i could just hear the engine trob
bing-and l don't think they suspect
ed how close they were to the island.
At all events, the next instant she
struck-stopped short as If she had
run against a wall, quite a distance
out; and in two minutes her stern was
under water. saw the crew putting
out the long-boat and jumping into it:
and then I ran down to the beach.
She's the one he said distracted