went searching hurriedly about the bow, and that he
sought was missing. He braced himself and approached the Alien.

'Christian, has she never a twig of rowan at her bows?'

The face that turned he could not see to read. 'No,' was the curt answer,
and shaken through, he drew off with doubled thumbs.

Too late now he doubted Christian to be no tool for handling with
impunity. And worse he dreaded, out of a dark teeming with possibilities,
dreadful to human flesh and human spirit. His hair rose, and he flung
prayers to the hierarchy of heaven, but chiefly to those three--St. Mary,
St. Margaret, and St. Faith. Comfort it was to draw to the side of one
who abode, as he himself, within the limits of the five human senses. The
quiet voice of the Adventurer rallied him.

'What goes wrong?'

'We bear no rowan, nor leaf, nor berry.'

'Rowan! for protection against evil spirits?'

'Ah! name them not. Not here and now. Rather turn your thumbs against
them, and watch him.'

'Him! your chosen mate?'

'God forgive me, and help us--yes. Sir, I tell you, laughter here is
more than folly--it is wickedness. No, I will not be questioned how and
why. There--look there!'

He grasped the sceptic's arm and pointed; Christian again had suddenly
leaned down to peer over the boat's side.

'What does he see?'

Philip's teeth chattered. 'God knows, I dare not think.'

He crowded sail recklessly, and the boat leapt along, quivering like a
thing in fear. At speed they fled on further west, till the Sinister
buoys were all passed by, and the Land's End drew up and turned behind
them. Then Philip, with a heart lighter by some degrees, hove to, close
furled, to wait and watch through the chill, long hours, till nearing
dawn turned them back to the safe desolation of the evil place.

Daylight better than dark speech declared the three to each other. The
Adventurer considered well the men charged with his life and fortunes. Of
a splendid make they were, both above the common in stature and strength,
and well favoured in singular contrast. A practised student of his kind
could read lines of weakness, and some feminine virtues also, in the
dark, oval face with luminous, fine eyes, and a mouth too fully perfect
for a man, and could read on the face from the resolute north a square
threat of obstinacy showing from the bones out, and daring and truth in
the grey eyes, deep set, and from brow to chin every imprint of
integrity. Both faces wer