or for a lantern and a long cord. He wished to investigate the
captured canoe.

Christobal, who had made the round of the promenade deck, came up.

"Oh, were you here, too?" he asked, on seeing the girl.

"I _am_ here, if that is what you mean," she cried. "I heard Joey
barking, and the shots that followed. Naturally, I wished to find out
what had happened."

"Sorry. I imagined you were sleepless, like myself, and had joined
Courtenay during his watch. That explanation must have sufficed. In
any case, we have other things to trouble us at present."

Elsie had never before heard the Spaniard speaking so offhandedly. She
gave small heed to his petulance; aroused from sound slumber by the
alarm of an Indian attack--thrilled by the horror of the thought that
she might fall into the clutches of the callous man-apes which infest
the islands of southwest America--she was in no mood to disentangle
subtleties of speech.

"Do you think they have left us?" she murmured, shrinking nearer to the
iron shield which Courtenay seemed to think would protect her.

"Personally, I have seen no reason whatever for such a hubbub," was the
flippant answer.

It was evident that Dr. Christobal was annoyed. Notwithstanding his
conventional polish, he was not a man to conceal his feelings when
deeply stirred. Yet Elsie failed to catch his intent, other than that
he was adopting his usual nonchalant tone.

"But something must have caused Captain Courtenay and Mr. Tollemache to
fire their revolvers so frequently. And, if they were mistaken, the
dog would not have shared their error. Besides, one of the canoes did
not get away. See! Its mast is fastened there."

"Ah! I had forgotten Tollemache. He was selected to join the
captain's watch, of course."

"Yes, I was present when the watches were formed. Have you seen Mr.
Tollemache? Is he safe?"

"He is among those making the round of the ship. I hope you will
forgive me."

"Forgive you! What have you done that calls for forgiveness?"

"There are errors of speech which equal those of conduct, Miss Maxwell."

"Oh, what nonsense--at one in the morning--when we are threatened by
savages!"

Christobal was relieved that she took this view of his abrupt
utterances. He thought the incident was ended. He was mistaken; Elsie
was able to recall each word subsequently. At the moment she was
recording impressions with uncomprehending accuracy, but her mind was
quite incapa