inst the rock.

"Lie down!" he murmured in a hoarse whisper. "Lie down low and look
over."

My arm was clutched as though by a vice. I sank down flat, and
peered over the edge.

"It's a man," I said, "not fifty yards off, and coming this way.
He has on a red shirt, and is watching the sea just as you did.
I don't think that he saw us."

"For the Lord's sake don't move. Look; is he tall and dark?"

His terrified excitement was dreadful. I thought I should have had
to shriek with pain, so tightly he clutched me, but found voice to
answer--

"Yes, he seems tall, and dark too, though I can't well see at--"

"Has he got earrings?"

"I can't see; but he walks with a stoop, and seems to have a sword or
something slung round his waist."

"God defend us! that's he! Curse him, curse him! Lie down--lie
down, I say! It's death if he catches sight of us."

We cowered against the rock. My companion's face was livid, and his
lips worked as though fingers were plucking at them, but made no
sound. I never saw such abject, hopeless terror. We waited thus for
a full minute, and then I peered over the ledge again.

He was almost directly beneath us now, and was still watching the
sea. At his side hung a short sheath, empty. I could not well see
his face, but the rings in his ears glistened in the sunlight.

I drew back cautiously, for my companion was plucking at my jacket.

"Listen," he said--and his hoarse voice was sunk so low that I could
scarcely catch his words--"Listen. If he catches us it's death--
death to me, but perhaps he may let you off, though he's a
cold-blooded, murderous devil. However, there's no saying but you
might get off. Any way, it'll be safest for you to have this.
Here, take it quick, and stow it away in your jacket, so as he can't
see it. For the love of God, look sharp!"

He took something out of a pocket inside his shirt, and forced it
into my hands. What it was I could not see, so quickly he made me
hide it in my jacket. But I caught a glimpse of something that
looked like brass, and the packet was hard and heavy.

"It's death, I say; but you may be lucky. If he does for me, swear
you'll never give it up to him. Take your Bible oath you'll never do
that. And look here: if I'm lucky enough to get off, swear you'll
give it back. Swear it. Say, 'Strike me blind!'"

He clutched me again. Shaking and trembling, I gave the promise.

"And look, here's a letter; put it awa