Evening star., 1924-11-06
CONTINUED from Yesterdays Star.)


board and board, the Jongvrouw held
tight in the clutches of La Foudre's
grapnels, and the buccaneers pouring
noisily into her waist
The Dutchman's master, purple IN
the face, stood forward to beard the
pirate. followed closely by an elegant,
oale-faced young gentleman in whom
Levasseur recognized his brother-in-
law elect.
Captain Levasseur, this Is an out
rage for which you shall be made to
answer. What do you seek aboard
my ship"
AT first I sought only that which
>elongs to me. something of which /
I'm being robbed. But since you chose
war and opened fire on me with some
damage to my ship and loss Of life
to five of my men, why, war 1t is. and
your ship a prize Of war"
From the quarter rail Mademoiselle
d'Ogeron looked down with glowing
eyes in breathless wonder upon her
well beloved hero. GloriousIy heroic
he seemed AS he stood towering there,
masterful, audacious, beautiful. He
saw her and with a glad shout sprang
toward her. The Dutch master got
in his way with hands upheld to ar
rest him: he was too impatient to
reach his mistress. He swung the
poleaxe that he carried, and the
Dutchman went down In blood with
cloven skull. The eager lover
stepped across the body and came on.
his countenance joyously alight.
But mademoiselle was shrinking
now. in horror. She was a girl upon
the threshold of glorious womanhood
of fine height and nobly moulded
with heavy coils Of glossy black hair
"a. ah hnt -
the colour of old ivory. Her coun
tenance was cast in lines of arro-
gance, stressed by the low lids OF
her full dark eyes.
In a bound her well beloved was
| beside her. Flinging away his bloody
poleaxe, he opened wide his arms to
enfold her. But she still shrank even
within his embrace. which would not
| be denied; look of dread had come
to temper the normal arrogance OF
her almost perfect face.
Mine. mine at last. and in spite
! of all" he cried exultantly, theatri-
| cally, truly heroic.
But she. endeavouring to thrust him
back. her hands against his breast
T! could only falter: Why, why did you
kill him.
He laughed. as q hero should; and
answered her heroically. with the
tolerance of a god for the mortal to
whom he condescends: He stood be-
tween US. Let his death be symbol
a warning Let all who would stand
between us mark ii and beware"
1t was so splendidly terrific, the
| gesture of 1t was so broad and fine
and his magnetism SO compelling
! that she cast her silly tremors and
! yielded herself freely, intoxicated, to
his fond embrace. Thereafter he
swung her to his shoulder. and step
ping with ease beneath that burden
bore her in sort of triumph. Justify
cheered by his men, to the deck OF
his own ship. Her inconsiderate
brother might have ruined that ro-
mantle scene but for the watchful
Cahusac, who quietly tripped him up,
and then trussed him like a fowl.
Thereafter. what time the captain
languished in his lady's smile within
the cabin. Cahusac was dealing with
the spoils of war. The Dutch crew
was ordered into the longboat, and
hidden go to the devil. Fortunately
az they numbered fewer than 80
the lonsboat. though perilously over
| crowded, could yet contain them
Next. Cahusac having inspected the
cargo. put d quartermaSter and q
score of men aboard the Jongvrouw
| which he now headed south for the
Leeward Islands.
Cahusac was disposed to be ill
humoured. The risk they had run
in taking the Dutch brig and doing
violence to members Of the family
of the Governor of TortuGa. was out
of all proportion TO the value OF their
prize. He said SO, sullenly, to
Levasseur.
You'll keep that opinion to your
self the captain answered him.
Don't think I am the man to thrust
my neck into Il moose, without know
ing how l am going to take 1t out
again. I shall send an offer of terms
! to the Governor Of Tortuga that he
will be forced to accept. Set course
for the Eirgen MaGra. Well go
ashore and settle things there. And
tell them TO fetch that milksop
Ogeron to the cabin"
things from there. And tell them to
fetch that nilksop Ogeron to the cabin. u
Levasseur went back to the ador-
ing lady.
Thither. too. the lady's brother was
presently conducted. The Captain
rose to receive him, bending his stall
wart height to avoid striking the
cabin roof with his head. Mademoi-
selle rose, too.
why this?" she asked Levasseur,
pointing to her brothers pinioned
wrists-the remains of Cahusac's pre-
cautions.
IT deplore it." said he. II desire
it to end. Let NJ. dOgeron give me
his parole ~
II give you nothing" flashed the
white-faced youth, who did not lack
for spirit.
..r1, r.,.,...,. .,,r,,rraa b;c
deep regret, and mademoiselle turned
protesting to her brother.
Henri, this is foolish. You are not
| behaving as my friend. You -
Little fool" her brother answered
her-and the little" was out of place
she was the taller Of the twain.
Little fool, do you think 1 should
be acting as your friend to make
terms with this blackguard pirate?''
STEADY, my young cockerel!
Levasseur laughed. But his laugh
was not nice.
Don't you perceive your wicked
,, folly in the harm it has brought al
ready? Lives have been lost-men
have died-that this monster might
overtake you. And don't you yet
realize where you stand-in the
power Of this beast, of this cur born
in a kennel and bred in thieving and
murder?"
He might have said more but that
Levasseur struck him across the
mouth. Levasseur, you see, cared as
little as another to hear the truth
about himself.
Mademoiselle suppressed a scream,
as the youth staggered back under
the blow. He came to rest against a
bulkhead, and leaned here with bleed
ing lipS But his spirit was un-
Quenched, and there was a CHASTITY
smile on his white face as his eyes
sought his sisters.
You see" he said simply. He
strikes man whose hands are