The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-02-07
Cutthroats,

sprang out and waded gleefully
ashore. Neal was close second.
Two sailors carried Mrs Hardin
through the shallow water A lieuten-
ant leaped out with Ikngton, and
bounded to dry land.
1t was two hours later that Annette,
pursuing hairless little tropical ami
NAL along the beach, rounded cor
ner, and espied sail.
Her heart leaped into her throat.
Upon her person she carried sure
fire automatic; she examined it and
found it in excellent condition. Then
she turned her glance once more up
on the sail.
And then Annettes heart stood still
again. For within the boat there was
human figure. Annette shrank be-
hind a rock and watched. And sud-
denly she knew
The figure was Inez. She was alone,
and seemed to be making frantic ef
forts to sail the boat. Annette watched
her with interest. And while she
watched a stiff breeze sprang up and
nearly swamped the boat
''Inez-Inez," she cried, do as 1 say
-Inez-"
! Inez heard her, and Immediately for
sock the tiller and the rope and held
out her hands beseechingly over the
gunwale of the boat. 1t was the best
course she could have pursued The
little boat, left to itself, swung about
q,,H rd
shore.
AS it struck Annette was there to
meet it, She dashed into the surf and
dragged Inez in safely to dry land.
Inez was frantic with fear
Where, asked Annette, lis the
Portuguese, Hernandez"
Inez waved her hand wildly in
shore "Somewhere-in-
the beasts she cried. Don't ask
me. / don't know. IL ran away
from him.
1.-THE beasts?" faltered Annette.
Worse than that returned Inez,
you're a woman. I'm woman. I've
been hiding from them-even from
him-for three days. He-he doesn't |
know where l annie hasn't found |
me. OH"
She sank upon the sand-her form
shook with agitation.
Annette, wondering, knelt by her
side. "Why have you run from him.
she queried.
I'll can't blame him." cried Inez,
suddenly facing Annette. "He's mad
Crazy for wealth, Hernandez. So am
/. And wealth is here-you don't
fore began to suspect
"Suspect-what?" asked Annette.
'Ah," went on Inez, checking her
agitation, for the presence of An
nette gave her courage, you should
see-he told me-there are millions
of dollars worth of quicksilver-all
ready for the market-stored away
Millions of dollars worth And the
mines-they're not half worked. And
these beasts are working them"
"Beasts?" said Annette again.
utthroats-men-all Of them,
men," groaned Inez, "and they've been
here years and years-and they've
been alone. They're wild-eyed enough
to kill each other. And they offered
Hernandez all the quicksilver that
they've got If he'll find some way to
bring them women. All, for hour aft
er hour he harped on that-to me.
Hour after hour he repeated it-talked
about it in his sleep. And finally l un'
derstood-"
You're safe," said Annette, Eat least
so far as Hernandez and these
beasts are concerned. There's bat
tleship riding in the bay around the
bend Nothing can harm you now"
Inez gasped with relief Nothing
can" she began. Then she uttered
a wild yell. "Ugh-arg- g-gh-look."
Annette looked-alInOst too late. ,
Out of the brush behind them bound
ed two frightful f1gures-half-clad-
with matted hair and beard. With
hoarse cries they darted toward the
women. Inez turned frantically and
fled up the beach One of the cut
threats darted after her. Annette
swiftly drew her pistol, aimed and
tired. The pursuer Of Inez dropped in !
his tracks. But in another instant
Annette was seized in pair of strong
arms and tossed over the shoulders OF
4 giant and carried swiftly inland. :
Suddenly their path was blocked.
A figure shot out before them and
stood with folded arms. This figure
was Hernandez and Annette almost
JAILED him as friend.
So said Hernandez, II have kept
my promise. The woman is yours
The treasure is mine. 1t is bargain"
Then he uttered Il sudden exclamation.
1t is not Inez," he cried, lit is you
you little wildcat of an Ilington So
you have arrived. 1t is better So
better So"
1T is barter, eh?" he queried, you
he woman. / the jars Of quicksilver"
The chief regarded him fercely.
You lie in your throat, stranger he
exclaimed in cultural tones. Il cap
ured the woman-you kept her from
ne. ! took her by force-and have