The Tupelo journal., 1912-11-22

CHAPTER XIX.
BY the time they had passed
through the Cold LARS, Rather
ines strength began to fail. The
, rapid pace at which they had made
the ascent from the beach had told
upon her more than Coast would have
realized but for indispensable 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, it sped in
shore, four long oars to a side dip
ping and lifting with the rhythmical
beat Of . perfect piece Of machinery.
Then Of . sudden with precise &C
cord the oars were lifted and laid in:
at slowly decreasing speed the long
boat slipped through the shoAhng wa
tiers and nossd 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 tides limits, some trottine
to Blackstock's aid.
With dificulty. because Of the mo-
mentarily fading light, Coast counted
the company of the newcomers; they
numbered, as nearly as he could es-
innate, ten. With B~lackstock 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, a 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 solicitude down at
the pale oval OF the face resting
YEARLY against his shoulder.
Feeling b~ettsr?" he inquired gent
4y. DO you think yea can walk.
DEAR"
She drew In q deep breath and
nodded assent. I'm all right, no.
she said, though still her respiration
sounded harsh and uneven; at least.
1 will be presently, Are they
coming?" she added with a 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 find us easily enough,
I'm afraid. For the present, Black
stocks entertaining them with the
story of his m~isadventure." He laugh
ed shortly. Come" he said; and
they turned again inland, moving at a
brisk walk toward the bungalow
with what purpose neither could have
said.
But that seine-boat?" he asked
suddenly, a moment later. Where
under Heaven did she drop from? You
spoke of the schooner p"
It's ashore" she told him. Il saw
it all from the bungalow. |
had been inside, looking for my trunk
at first. He was in the wireless-room
when | went in, but by the time |
found the keys he had disappeared. l
went to the door and stood looking
out, wondering what had become of
him and whether | 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
Il could just hear the engine trob-
bing-and | don't think they suspect
ed how close they were to the island.
AT all events. the next instant she
struck-stopped short as II she had
run against a wall. quite a distance
out; and in two minutes her stern was
under water. l saw the crew putting
out the long-boat and jumping into 1t;
and then l ran down to the beach.
She's the one" he said distracted
the schooner Appleyard was after.
beyond roubt. You heard them hail
|Blackstock by namely the name
they know him under"
The woman said Yes" Indifferent.
ly, leaning more heavily pom him.
Out of the dusk, in which objects
were just ~perceptible, the bungalow
doomed up before them. BY common
consent they paused, Coast looking
back toward the beach, Katherine
peering up into his face.
Are they coming, GARRETT