, 1924-10-15
CHAPTER v
The Attack.

out and the streak of placid water
reaching from the ave to the bay sill
vered in the growing light. The bay
that lay to the west swan slowly into
sight, like a picture on u film in the
developing tray.
Inside the cave. Lord George, who
with Archmnn had watched the night
away from a broad shelf of rock thai
faced the entrance across the curving
tidal stream, rose and stretched him
self. I'm going to reconnoiter." he
/ said.
Archman nodded invisibly in the
darkness. II was just thinking of
going myself" he said. But perhaps
you can do it better. You are younger
n more active. But you will be
careful. Eight men are none too many
to defend even so strong a place as
this"
"T1l be careful" Lord George was
already Siding along the narrow edge.
In a m he was at the entrance
and was peering cautiously about in
he white dawn. Up and down the cut
nc ioohtu, StuiilllHS tHC siODihE SiuCS,
which were not nearly so precipjtOus
as they had seemed when he descend
ed them in the gloom of the night.
Long he stared, straining his ears the
while for my sound that might tell
that the mutineers were lurking near.
watching a chance to take the defend
ers by surprise. But neither eyes nor
ears gave warning and at last he
slipped from the entrance to the rock
landing. Still no sign of danger pre-
sented Itself.
He had two places to investigate
he mouth of the inlet and the crest of
the ravine. The attack might come
by boat from the one or II might come
by land over the other. But Lord
George knew that an attack by boat
must be slower than one by land, and
that II II came the attackers could not
cut off his retreat. Besides, from the
crest of the ravine. he could %reconnoi-
ter both land and sea.
Therefore he turned his face to the
slope and began to ascend. He moved
swiftly. Swiftness was his best pro-
lection. ms concealment on the bare
rocks was impossible. Up the slope
he bounded till almost at the top.
Then he stopped and lifted his head
cautiously above the edge. Then he
started his eyes expanded: his ready
automatic flashed up.
He found himself looking squarely
into the muzzle of another pistol, held
by a nan who, prone upon his stom-
nch. had just crawled to the edge and
was looking over. For n moment death
for one or both hung in the balance.
Then Lord George lowered his pistol.
Don't shootl" he said. I'm a
friend - Behind the other he had seen
an orderly line Of men who were as
suredly not mutineers.
As the other hesitated. Lord George
stood up. slipping his pistol back into
his pocket as he did SO. "Who's in
command" he demanded.
An officer came forward promptly
and saluted. Lord George Caruth-
ers?" he questioned. 81 am Captain
S%trindberg. OF the Danish navy. com
handing n detachment from his mnjes-
tvs ship F~nlsberg. I have heard OF
you from Captain Bunker of the lei
Rio. l have three of your party with
me-" He gestured toward Nellie. Carr
and Bunker. who were hurrying for
ward.
Lord George glanced ut them. rec
ognizing Bunker and guessing who
Nellie was. Then he looked back to
S%trIndberg. "Glad to meet you. cap
tain," he said. II suppose Captain
Bunker has told you everything. Have
you seen anything of the mutineersY'
They have Just left the lei Rio and
nre heading this w%ay-three boats OF
them. about forty men in all. They
seem to mediate an attack in force.
Mr.. Archman and the others are with
your"
ayes: in n cave In the bottom OF the
rayine here" Lord George stepped
pnst the officer. Good morning. Cap
tain Bunker" he said. holding out his
hand. you cnme In good time. /
D this is Miss Archmanf" He
held out his hand to the girl. your
fnther Is terribly anxious about you"
he ndded.
Nellie nodded. "Poor fntherl !" she
brenthed. I'm sorry, sorrler than !
can n.y.. This is Mr.. Carr. Lord
George. How Is my motherf"
Mrs. Archman and the rest are well.
They are waiting below. ! beg your
pardon. %captalnf'
S%trindbcrg was plucking the English
man by the arm "The bonts approach
quickly" he said. perhaps you will
lend the way down the slope. l want
not TINT your friends should shoot
my men. not knowing that they are
friends"
quite right" Lord George turned