o the
woman at the wheel the cabin was evil from their purgatorial
restlessness.... Suddenly he started, and commanded Framtree:

"See to the ship's course!"

"It's all right, Senor Rey," Miss Mallory called. "I can hold her.
We're scudding along beautifully, and our convoy is keeping pace----"

The Spaniard's bony shoulders sank a little in his chair. He
interpreted this, as did Framtree, as an order. It was his first
positive assurance that the American woman was against him.

"But the Chinese, Miss Mallory----" he said, with rare control.

"Oh, they have picked up Mr. Sorenson.... They can see the light at the
point of the Inlet. Mr. Sorenson will need a change of clothing----"

There was a laugh from Framtree, rich, ripping, infectious. It released
accumulations of fever and strain from all but the Spaniard, who joined
nevertheless.... Bedient stood somewhat rigidly by the table. Waves of
mist alternated with intervals of clear perception in his mind.

Miss Mallory had entered into reaction. The laugh of Jim Framtree was
the only good omen to her. She wasn't quite so afraid of him after
that.... As for the wheel, the situation was not nearly so blithe as
she had represented to Rey. The _Savonarola_ had changed course, while
the Chinese were getting the small boat overside. The Inlet had been
astern and a little to star-board then. She had wondered, at the time,
at the course, because Captain Bloom of the _Hatteras_ had shown her
how the reefs stretched out, forming a great breakwater for Coral City
harbor, and the _Savonarola_ had seemed to be making for trouble....
She jumped with a thought now. Perhaps Rey had intended to run over the
coral with his lighter craft, or perhaps he knew a lesser passage; and
thus elude Jaffier's gunboat, or strand the latter upon the reefs....

The Inlet light was now straight to port, but the breeze was brisker,
and she hated the thought of losing it. She had handled the tiller of
small craft, but would not have dared to bring around the _Savonarola_
with her vast sweep of sail, even had she cared to regain the original
course.... Bedient could not hold these two men at bay all night. He
looked as if he might fall any moment. And now he had postponed his
talk with Framtree. This was beyond her. She had counted upon him for a
message that would make Framtree _his_. She did not realize the meaning
of the few words already spoken. There might be pistols secreted, where
Framtree