eir places before the next trip."

To his astonishment all six men laughed scornfully. Surely there was
something going on here that he did not know. He scowled.

Finally Corinna raised her head. She ignored Evan's offer. She
appeared to be looking at him, but her eyes did not quite meet his. "I
am sorry to appear ungenerous and ungrateful," she said like a child
repeating a lesson, "but it is true, as Mr. Dordess says,
notwithstanding your brave conduct to-day, it will be impossible for us
to have you with us in future."

"Corinna!" cried Evan in dismay.

The six men triumphed. In the faces of the weaker ones it showed
offensively; the stronger hid it, but Evan was none the less conscious
of it. His self-love suffered a ghastly wound.

Dordess relentlessly resumed: "We wish to be courteous, but there must
be no misunderstanding. Please tell him that if in spite of this
friendly warning he persists in forcing himself on board, you will
authorise us to put him ashore."

A flash from under Corinna's lowered lids suggested that Dordess would
have to pay for this later on; nevertheless she repeated tonelessly:
"If in spite of this friendly warning you persist in forcing yourself
on board I will have to authorize them to put you ashore."

Evan stared at her in angry incredulity. He simply could not take in
the fact that she was putting so public an affront on him.

Dordess could no longer make believe to hide his real feelings. He
went on, sneering: "Tell him further that if he continues to force his
unwelcome attentions on you, you will feel justified in appealing to us
to protect you."

Corinna repeated: "If you continue to force your attentions on me, I
shall be obliged to appeal to these gentlemen to protect me."

Evan suddenly went cold. His lip curled. He told himself she had
killed his love dead, and he didn't give a damn anyhow. He bowed to
her.

"Oh, I assure you that won't be necessary," he said ironically.

Corinna walked away down the saloon. The brotherhood straggled after,
victors perhaps, but secretly uneasy in the moment of victory. Evan
was left standing alone, looking after them scornfully. The
_Ernestina_ blew for the pier.

CHAPTER XIX

FOUR VISITS FROM GEORGE DEAVES

As long as he was under the observation of his enemies it was possible
for Evan to maintain his scornful and indifferent air, but at home and
alone, his defenses collapsed. Useless for him to tell hi