emember now that I said dreadful things to you in the saloon. But
you did not know what it meant to me when I realized that Captain
Courtenay might be falling even then beneath the blows of those
merciless savages. I have not had a chance to tell you that he has
asked me to be his wife, and I have consented. I love him more than
all the world. And you, Dr. Christobal, you who knew my father and
mother, who have grown-up daughters of your own, you will wish me
happiness?"

It was not easy to bear when it came, although he had guessed the truth
already. But he choked back the wrath and despair which surged up in
him, and said with his stately courtesy:

"I do wish you well, Elsie. No man can hope more earnestly than I that
you have made the better choice."

Then he turned, with a certain abruptness which reminded her of the
change in his manner she had noticed once or twice during recent days,
and quitted the bridge. She sighed, and was sorry for him, knowing
that he loved her.

Courtenay, who had been far too busy to pay heed to anything beyond the
brief fight between the boats and the canoes, perceived now that the
gangway was in position; lights were shining on both the upper and
lower platforms.

He stretched out his hand, and drew Elsie to him.

"Are you alone, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Kiss me, then, and go to meet your friends. They will be aboard in
less than a minute. Oh, Elsie, I thought I had seen the last of you."

"Was it so bad as that?" she murmured, a great content soothing her
heart and brain at her lover's admission that he was thinking of her
during the worst agony of the fray. He gave her a reassuring hug.

"You will never know how bad it was," he said. "I cannot understand
how we escaped. One moment it all looks like blind chance; the next I
feel like going on my knees in thankfulness for the direct intervention
of Providence. Those brutes ought to have mastered us a dozen times.
I almost lost faith when I heard Tollemache shout that the saloon was
in danger, but I could not leave the after deck, where four of us were
keeping fifty in check. The least sign of yielding would have caused
an overwhelming rush. Well, all's well that ends well. And not a
sailor living can squeeze his best girl and do his work at the same
time. Off with you, or I shall never bring you on a voyage in my ship
again."

With her soul singing a canticle of joy she passed from the bridge to