Part 15 (1/2)

CHAPTER X

SALVAGE

dickie Lang was nonplussed Her best bet was thrown into the discard

Her pride and independence had been at stake For her most valued possessions, she had risked her all, and ”stood pat” on the turn-up at the devil-island Her cards were all on the table Now she had lost

Leaning against the sagging rail she watched the _Curlew_ draw alongside the float Her slender fingers gripped the hand-rail and the sharp splinters bit into her hands But as that to the pain which gnawed at her heart? She hadn't e sensation She had h But as it necessary to take the little _Petrel_? Was Diablo to beat her as it had beaten others? No, she hter

”It's all in the gaory ”As I told you, the sea plays no favorites”

Before the young man could answer, she had turned fro vessel

”hello, boys Tough luck But we can't help it Tell ot a lot to do”

The fisherure of a little Mexican lunged through the circle and began to speak:

”_Dios, Senorita_, it was very bad,” he quavered ”We were lying close to shore The fog was everywhere We could not see And the anchor, it would not hold I was at the chain as you say I_Jesus defast I can not leave as we are drifting and I say to Pedro that he et a chance As he juht out of the fog and before we can move, she smash us all to hell I fall into the water with Pedro and loose the dory For a time we drift Then we are picked up by _Senor_ Jones”

”Did the _Petrel_ sink right away?” dickie interrupted

Another man crowded forward and answered the question

”She didn't sink at all, miss She wasn't far from the shore and she drifted in with the tide that was settin' in strong Then she piled up on the rocks She's layin' there now, high and dry on the beach”

”Didn't the boat that sain the Mexican began to speak excitedly: ”_Sangre de Christo_, no,”

he chattered, ”The boat, she was very big, _Senorita_, and she did not stop”

”Nonsense, Manuel You were crazy with fright Don't talk like a fool

Go hoood sleep, I'll talk with you again”

Stung into action by Jones's statement that the hull of the _Petrel_ was still on the beach, she turned suddenly to the wharf

”Tom Howard,” she called sharply When a voice answered, she ordered: ”Fill up the _Pelican_ with oil and stock her with grub You can get it froood hauser Mind it's new Be ready to pull out in an hour” She turned again to the et the _Curlew_ ready We may need two boats to pull her off You knohere they went ashore Take Johnson and Ras together long out there”

”Ras over”

”Don't want hia Take Sorenson”

The fisherway followed by others

dickie Lang jaed her shoulders as she turned to Gregory