ght to catch the eye of the victor, and saw in Pearse a
reflection of the feelings that had possessed himself. John Pearse
showed every sign of horror and awakened sanity that had marked his own
expression before the fatal fight had started. Their eyes met, and there
was no challenge in them. Both dropped their gaze involuntarily upon the
huddled figures at their feet; and it was Pearse, the man who had
precipitated the conflict at first, who nodded with his head a silent
invitation to withdraw. Venner stepped after him, softly and with bowed
shoulders, shuddering violently as he passed the expiring Tomlin.

They reached the door together, and with the rocky tunnel open before
them, once more holding up to their eyes the picture of absolute beauty
of sea and sky and shore, they filled their lungs with fresh, wholesome
air, and shook off the last of the evil spell that had held them.

"In God's name, Pearse, let us fly from this hellish place!" whispered
Venner, dropping his rapier to the rocky floor with a clatter, and
thrusting his hand out in reconciliation.

"Yes, Venner, and pray Heaven we may forget!" replied Pearse fervently.
"But how shall we get away? The giant and his crew are yet at the
schooner."

"We must wait. They will return soon for more booty. Then we must seize
the chance. Is that somebody coming now?"

Milo's great shoulders reared above the cliff, and behind him came the
slaves. They came directly toward the great rock, and Pearse flattened
himself against the wall in the shadow of the portals, pressing Venner
back also with a hand across his chest.

"Hush! Hide here. Let them enter, and we'll make one leap for the
shore."

The giant swung into the passage, his black eyes blazing with some
emotion that the hidden pair could not fathom. It was something on the
border of fear, but of what? Fear and Milo was a combination hard of
reconciliation. The slaves at his heels followed dumbly, slaves in
thought and action; if their dulled brains ever awoke, it was but to
the call of animal appetites; they were incapable of devotion such as
Milo's, and as incapable of shock should their obedience fail reward.
They passed into the great chamber, and a throaty cry of alarm burst
from the giant at the sight of his Sultana prone on the floor.

"Now!" whispered Pearse, taking the lead. "Swift and silent!"

Like ghosts they ran from the tunnel, glanced around once as they
reached the cliff path, then leaped