did speed of the craft sent a thrill through Dolores, as
through the less impressionable pirate of the gang. Fast as Rufe's sloop
was, this dainty plaything of wealth and leisure sped over the snarling
seas at a gait that promised to overhaul the smaller vessel two fathoms
to one.

Even Rupert Venner and his friends, shivering with the wet and sudden
change from the cabin to the deck though they were, found much to soothe
them in the glorious sweep and swing of the Feu Follette; much to admire
and envy in the perfect poise and _sang froid_ of the magnificent
creature at the wheel.

Dolores stood on feet as steady as the great, deep eyes that were fixed
on the compass-card before her. Her heavy, lustrous hair streamed about
her from under the golden circlet; in each lightning flash she stood
out, a thing of wild, awful beauty; the rain glistened on her bare
shoulders and arms, rendering her golden skin a gleaming, fairylike
armor. And the blustering wind caught her wet tunic and wrapped it about
her closely and tightly, revealing every grace and glory of her perfect
body.

"Saints! Was there ever such a creature?" said Tomlin hoarsely.

Pearse's face was set and grim; he made no rejoinder. Venner, too, kept
silent; but his eyes held venom as he glared at the speaker. Dolores
suddenly raised her eyes from the binnacle, looked toward them as they
crouched shivering in the lee of the deck-house-companion, and she, warm
and glowing in a flimsy, wet garment, laughed mockingly, and called to
them.

"I am forgetting what is due to my guests. Do ye feel cold? Will ye go
below?"

And they, shivering and uneasy as they were, were content to shiver if
only they might not lose sight of her. Their reply was unintelligible;
neither would look at the others; yet their mumbled response was
understood, and the girl laughed again, loud, ringing, and full of
allure.

"Such courage comes only of true sea stock, my friends! I shall not
forget this fortitude when I have done with the schooner."

"Flare close aboard!" roared Stumpy; then: "Seize my soul if I see the
boat, though, mistress. Satan! Now the flare's gone out!"

"Whereaway?" cried Dolores shrilly. Big Milo was out there in the
blackness.

"Right under the bows!" bellowed the lookout. "Luff, or bear away; ye'll
run him down!"

And from the raging seas off the lee-bow came the deep, calm voice of
Milo, unperturbed as if on dry land, though no boat was to be seen in
th