Part 55 (1/2)
A snarl of baffled fury came from the lips of the wounded sailor
”The foul fiend protects you!” he cried ”See if you can dodge this bullet!”
He would have fired again, but Gage leaped forward in the darkness, kicked swiftly and accurately, and sent the revolver spinning from the man's hand
”You have settled your fate!” hissed the boy,to tor!”
He turned froers, and hurried back to the boat, in which that ure silently sat
”Are you ready, boys?” he called
Captain Bellwood had been released from the tree, and marched to the other boat, in which he now sat, bound and helpless
”All ready,” was the answer
”All right; go ahead”
They pushed off, settled into their seats, and began rowing
Gage was not long in following, but he wondered at the silence of the girl who sat in the stern It could not be that she had fainted, for she reht position
”Which way, cap?” asked one of the et out of this,” was the answer ”We will find another place to caet away from this spot”
Not a sound came froht Gage ”I wonder if she can breathe all right I wish she would do so he could keep up with his co he would have very little difficulty in overtaking thee drew in his oars and slipped back toward the ure in the stern
”Elsie,” he said, softly
No answer; no move
”Miss Bellwood”
Still no answer
”You must not think too hard of ly
”I would not har I love you far too much for that, Elsie”
He could have sworn that the sound which ca folds of the coat was like a s at him
”I have been wicked and desperate,” he went on; ”but I was driven to the life I have led Fate has been againstWhen I shi+pped on your father's vessel it was because I had seen you and knew you were to be along on the cruise I loved you at first sight, and I vowed that I would reform and do better if you lovedswiftly in a low tone, and his voice betrayed his earnestness He passed an arrasp, and then he continued:
”You did not take kindly to me, but I persisted Then you repulsed me--told me you despised me, and that made me desperate I swore I would have you, Elsie Then ca of the vessel Noe are here, and you are with me Elsie, you know not how I love you! I have become an outcast, an outlaw--all for your sake! Elsie, dear Elsie!