Part 43 (1/2)

”'I know,' I muttered. 'I must run back for the rifle.'

”'And--and leave me?'

”I took her by the hand, and we dragged ourselves through the wire-gra.s.s to the open end of a boiler lying in the sand.

”She crept in on her hands and knees, and called to me to follow.

”'You are safe now,' I cried. 'I must go back for the rifle.'

”'The birds may--may attack you.'

”'If they do I can get into one of the other boilers,' I said. 'Daisy, you must not venture out until I come back. You won't, will you?'

”'No-o,' she whispered, doubtfully.

”'Then--good-bye.'

”'Good-bye,' she answered, but her voice was very small and still.

”'Good-bye,' I said again. I was kneeling at the mouth of the big iron tunnel; it was dark inside and I could not see her, but, before I was conscious of it, her arms were around my neck and we had kissed each other.

”I don't remember how I went away. When I came to my proper senses I was swimming along the coast at full speed, and over my head wheeled one of the birds, screaming at every turn.

”The intoxication of that innocent embrace, the close impress of her arms around my neck, gave me a strength and recklessness that neither fear nor fatigue could subdue. The bird above me did not even frighten me. I watched it over my shoulder, swimming strongly, with the tide now aiding me, now stemming my course; but I saw the sh.o.r.e pa.s.sing quickly, and my strength increased, and I shouted when I came in sight of the house, and scrambled up on the sand, dripping and excited.

There was n.o.body in sight, and I gave a last glance up into the air where the bird wheeled, still screeching, and hastened into the house.

Freda stared at me in amazement as I seized the rifle and shouted for the professor.

”'He has just gone to town, with Captain McPeek in his wagon,'

stammered Freda.

”'What!' I cried. 'Does he know where his daughter is?'

”'Miss Holroyd is asleep--not?' gasped Freda.

”'Where's Frisby?' I cried, impatiently.

”'Yimmie?' quavered Freda.

”'Yes, Jimmie; isn't there anybody here? Good Heavens! where's that man in the shop?'

”'He also iss gone,' said Freda, shedding tears, 'to buy papier-mache.

Yimmie, he iss gone to post bills.'

”I waited to hear no more, but swung my rifle over my shoulder, and, hanging the cartridge-belt across my chest, hurried out and up the beach. The bird was not in sight.