The Red Cloud chief., 1919-10-02
CHAPTER xxxilI.
Before the Governor.

The sound startled me: l imagined
heard the keel slipping. yet before we
had reached the door opening on deck
the slight movement ceased. My hand
gripped the frightened Haines.
"Tell them in the boat to do as l
said; then come back here"
my God, sir, she's a goin' down."
"Not for some minutes yet. There
are thousands Of pounds In that chest;
you've risked life for less many
time. Jump. my mani"
The boat lay In close, bobbing up
and down dangerously, yet held firmly
beneath the opened port. The box
was heavy enough to tax the strength
Of two men to handle IL, but Of size
and shape permitting Its passage.
Sanchez had raised himself again. and
chung there to the edge Of the bunk
watching us.
snow let down easy. lads" called.
mo, place 1t amidships; get 1t even, or
you go over. Fix 1t to ride steady. and
stand by-we'll pass a wounded man
out to you'll"
stepped across to Sanchez. He saw
me coming. and drew back. his CHASTITY
face like q mask.
mo you don't, Carlylei" he snapped
angrily. Keep your hands Off me-
SO you want me to die with my neck
in moose. do you? was born a gen.
tleman, and. by God I'll die like one
and go down with my ship. Get out Of
here now! You won't2 You will, or
else die here with me! I'll give you u
minute to make your choice"
He left no doubt as to his meaning.
From beneath the blanket. the black
muzzle of pistol looked straight into
my eyes. The hand holding II was
firm, the face fronting me savagely
| sardonic.
I'D like to kill you, Carlyle" he
Kissed hatefully. "By God, l don't
know why shouldn't. Every time l
look at you see her face. If you take
step nearer pull the trigger-go -
| 1t was hardepull back to the Santa
Marie. Dorothy greeted me first. and
we stood close together at the rail as
the men hoisted the chest on deck.
She said nothing. asked nothing, but
her hands chung to my arm. and when
ever turned toward her our eyes met
There was a sudden cry forward
and voice shouted
"There she goes. buckiesl That's
the last o. the Namur'
turned swiftly, my hand grasping
her fingers as they chung to the rail
The battered hulk slid downward. the
deck breaking amidships as the stern
splashed into the depths; then tina,
also toppled over. leaving nothing
above water except the blunt end OF O
broken bowsprit, and tangle OF
wreckage tossed about on the cres'
Of the waves. | watched breathlessly
unable to utter a sound; could only
think of that stricken man In the cabin
those wild eyes which had threatened
me. He was gone now-gone!
I yet held Dorothy's hand Tight!
clasped In my own. and the depths o
her uplifted eyes questioned me.
ave will 60 aft, dear, and l will tel
you the whole story" said gently
"for now we are homeward bound"
Iwrite these few closing lines yea
: later In the cabin of the Ocean Spray
a three master. full to the hatche
|. with cargo Of tobacco. bound TO
London, and market. Dorothy Is o.
deck, eagerly watching for the frs
!. glimpse of the chalk cliffs Of oil
. England. must Join her present.!
yet linger below to add these final ser
fences.
There is, after all. little which need
Q to be said. The voyage of the SAINT
$ Marie north proved uneventful, ant
after that first night Of storm. tn
u weather held pleasant and the sc
: fairly smooth. had some trouble wit
the men, but nothing serious, as Wa
= kns and Haines held as I did. and tn
= pledge of Dorothy's influence brougi
courage. ! refused to open the ches
g believing our safety, and chance (
g pardon, would depend largely ON o,