The spectator., 1920-02-10

| we've passed our lanulnS piace, said Hilary.
 Looking out across the gray waters he perceived, close at hand. and ap- parently beached on the shore, the white sail of sloop. It seemed to be the vessel which they had seen earlier that afternoon, tacking toward the south shore.
 The men looked at each other and the same unspoken question was in | the eyes of each. Then Lafe grabbed | Hilary by the shoulders. "See herer he said "We ain't go- | ing to stay and fight Brousseau's gang | just for the fun of it. I guess it's | Pierre and Leblanc in that boat all right, and that they're on their way | home. We beat it for ours as hard as We can go-see? You ain't fit to do no more fighting anyway" he pleaded. And won't, no matter what happens that's straight to you. I'll fight any man with fists if I got to, but I'm darned if I'll stand up against that scum with camp knives"
 You're quite right, Lafe," answered Hilary. Come, let's get to the boat as quick as we can"
 But as they started there rang out a woman's cry. Again came the scream :; and in an instant, forgetful of their resolution. they had turned and raced back along the trail.
 Not many steps, and. breaking through the trees, they saw Marie Du- pont struggling in Pierre's arms, while Leblanc and Nanette stood near them, laughing.
 Lafe leaped at Pierre, and his bony fist caught the outlaw beneath the chin. Pierre went down in a heap Hilary made for Leblanc, whose ex- pression would, under other circum- stances, have been comical in it's sur prise.
 He turned upon the girl and knocked her down Savagely Then without another glance at Hilary, he made for the sloop.
 Leaving Pierre where he had fallen, Lafe joined in the pursuit. But Le- blanc had several yards start, and his experience of HilaryS prOwess lent wings to his feet. He plunged into the water and. by Il miracle of strength swung the sloop clear of the sand on which she had been beached As the vessel was carried clear by the swift flowing tide the eX-jobber scrambled aboard, dripping, and pushed off with the oar. Lafe and Hilary stood baf- fled, upon the brink of the water while Leblanc, at an ever increasing distance. began to put up the sail. shouting back defast curses mean | while.
 They heard sound of feet upon the shingle behind them, and turned quickly. It was Pierre, but he was bolting for the woods. They ran at him. but he had gained the shelter of the trees, and it was growing too dark to follow. They stopped and looked | back. Leblanc was now quite a dis tance from the island, and making for the north shore upon the incoming tide.
 Lets go," said Hilary, and he took Marie gently by the arm. She went with him Obediently. and Lafe fol- lowed with Nanette. whose lip was bloody from Leblanc's blow.
 The tide was running fairly for St. Boniface. It was almost dark now. but the wind had died away and the stars were brilliant. Hilary, taking on his oyercoat, wrapped it about Marie. The girls bewiderment had yielded to abject gratitude. She raised Hilary's hand to her lips and pressed 1t. Beside her Nanette, wrapped in Lafes waterproof. was sobbing wildly and wiping her wounded lip. The words that passed were drowned in the sound of the lap ping waves before they reached the ears of Louis. at the tiller.
 "Now. what happened2" asked Hil. Iry of Marie. Tell me, and we'll Slap those rufiians into jail, assure you. How did they get you into that boat?"
 Marie sobbed out her explanation but when Hilary gathered. with diffi- culty from the broken words. stam- mered in French. that she had gone aboard with Pierre to marry him in Quebec. he could hardly believe his ears.
 And your father knows nothing of this?" he inquired. when she had ended.
 "He knows nothing, monsieur. An, monsieur. you saved me before, and Il was ungrateful. Promise me. swear to me, that he shall never know!'
 And you, Nanette." continued Hil- ary, addressing the weeping girl, "what have you to say. who lured her here, knowing this?"
 "I did not know, monsieur" cried Nanette. "Pierre told me that if bring her he would get me back my sweetheart"