rned toward the pavilion and met Blythe. Already he was flinging a
crisp order to the watch.

"Lower a boat, Neidlinger. Smith will help you. That you, Higgins? Rouse
all hands from sleep. We've work afoot."

Again came a faint echo across the still waters, followed by two sharper
explosions. Some one had brought a rifle into action.

Blythe turned to me. "It's my place to stand by the ship, Jack. This may
be a ruse to draw us off. I can spare you one man to go ashore and see
what the trouble is. Take your pick."

I chose Smith.

"Keep a sharp lookout, Jack. He's wily as the devil, Bothwell is. Better
not land at the usual place. He may have an ambush planted."

"All right, Sam."

The Englishman turned to give Stubbs orders for arming the crew.

In the darkness a groping little hand found mine.

"Must you go, Jack? I--wish you would stay here."

My arm slid around the shoulders of my girl.

"It's up to me to go, honey."

We were alone under the awning. Her soft arms went round my neck and her
fingers laced themselves.

"You'll be careful, won't you? It's all so horrible. I thought it was
all over, and now---- Oh, boy, I'm afraid!"

"Don't worry. Blythe will hold the ship."

"Of course. It isn't that. It's _you_. I don't want you to go. Let Mr.
Stubbs."

I shook my head.

"No, dear. That won't do. It's my place to go. But you needn't worry.
The gods take care of lovers. I'll come back all right."

Her interlaced fingers tightened behind my neck.

"Don't be reckless, then. You're so foolhardy. I couldn't bear it if--if
anything happened to you."

"Nothing will happen except that I shall come back to brag of our
victory," I smiled.

"If I could be sure!" she cried softly.

The sinister sound of shots had drifted to us as we talked. The boat was
by this time lowered and I knew I must be gone. Gently I unclasped the
knotted fingers.

"Must you go _already_?" She made no other protest, but slipped a plain
band ring from her finger to my hand. "I want you to have something of
mine with you, so that----"

Her voice broke, but I knew she meant so that the gods of war might know
she claimed ownership and send me back safe. For another instant she lay
on my heart, then offered me her lips and surrendered me to my duty.

"Ready, Jack!" called Blythe cheerfully.

I ran across the deck and joined the man in the skiff. We pushed off and
bent to the stroke. As our oars gripped the water the sound of an