The diamond drill., 1921-10-08

not wise Of US 10 invite trouble. Some
Of Us would have been killed. but"
He then told what had been In his
mind. and what he thought might be
the outcome-the killing or capture
OF the whole group. and safety for all
at Salem. His words went 70 the
farthest corners Of Shella's nature.
When he had finished. she continued
her story. I'VE rode for an hour un-
challenged. and then came the Ma
rooms. At first knew not what 70 do.
We were surrounded before we could
act had my pistol ready, and there
was the chance TO escape-that faint
chance-lf we drove our horses on
but there was also the danger OF be-
a terrible end might have been TO the
event. So we sat still on our horses.
and I asked them how they dared 10
assault white ladies. I asked them II
they had never thought what venge-
ance the governor would take. They
did not understand my words, but
they grasped the meaning. and one or
them. the leader. who understood Eng
lish. was inclined 10 have reason AZ
IL was, we stopped what might have
been our murder by saying II would
be wiser 10 hold Us as hostages, and
that we were Americans That man
was killed-by you. A shot from your
pistol brought him down as be rushed
forward 10 enter the ruins But he
took care OF us as we went forward,
and when i shot one OF his followers
for laying his hand upon me IN the
saddle-he caught me by the leg un-
der my skirt-he would allow no re
taliation- knew boldneSs was the
safe part TO play.
But In the end we were bound with
ropes as you found us, while they
waited for more OF their people 10
come-those, no doubt, you found am
bushed on the hill. AS we lay In the
kitchen, bound as you saw us. the
leader said 20 us we should be safe
II he could have his way. but
there were bad elements among the
Maroons, and he could not guarantee
pay for our release. would no doubt
give the land for which they had
asked with no avail. We must, there
fore, remain prisoners. II we made
no efforts TO escape, IL would be better
for us In the end Keep your head
steady missy, try no tricks, and all
may go well; but l have bad lot TO
control, and they may fly at you That
was the way he spoke. II made our
blood run cold. for he was one man.
with fair mind. and he had around
him men, savage and irresponsible.
Black and ruthless, they would stop
at nothing except the sword at their
throats or the teeth in their flesh"
THE teeth In their flesh 70 said Dyck
with grim smile. "Yes. that Is the
only way with them. Naught can put
the fear OF God into them except blood
hounds and that Lord MaIlow will not
have. He has been set against II un-
til now. But this business will teach
him. lie may change his mind now,
since what nc cares for is In danger
his place and his ladles"
Mrs. Llyn reused herself 10 say:
mo, no, Mr. Calhoun, you must not
say that Of him. His place may be In
danger. but not his ladies. He has no
promise OF that :. = And see, Mr..
Calhoun, want to say that, In any
case, you have paid your debt, II you
owe one 20 US. For life taken you
have given two lives--to me and my
girl. The account is squared, IL II
were ever In doubt. Believe me,
speak as one who has "a right 10 say
1t Erris Boyne was naught TO me,
naught al all, but he was my daugh-
ter's father, and that made everything
difficult l could make him cease TO
he my husband, and l did, but could
not make him cease 10 be her father"
II had no love for Erris Boyne,"
said Sheila, with an effort, for she felt
choked. Misery was heavy on her.
"None az all, but he was my father
and there is nothing more TO say"
"See, nll's well still at Salem" said
Dyck, waving a hand forward as
though to change the talk. "All's as
we left IT,"
There in the near distance lay Sa-
lem, serene. All tropical life about
seemed throbbing with life and soak.
ing with leisure.
1--WE were In time" he added. "The
Maroons are still In ambush. The
sun is beginning 10 set. though, and
the trouble may begin We shall get
there about sundown--safe, thank
God |"
"Safe, thank God--and YOU" said
Shellas mother.