ung sailors, however, stood
just outside, where their rifles might sweep the room, at need,
until their officer had passed out.

"Hicks," called Dave, to one of the party of sailors who had surrounded
the house, "lead these people to the water. The rest of us will
bring up the rear."

Seeing the women and children of his party under safe guidance,
Mr. Carmody turned back to speak to their rescuer.

"Sir," asked the older man, "did you know that, on account of
the failure to raise the ransom money, we were all, even the babies,
to be put to death at sunrise?"

"Yes, sir," Dave nodded.

"Then perhaps you are able to understand the gratitude to which
I shall endeavor to give some expression as soon as we are in
a place of safety."

"It is not my wish to hear expressions of gratitude, Mr. Carmody,"
Dave Darrin answered. "As to safety, however, I fancy we are
safe enough already."

Mr. Carmody shook his head energetically.

"We have twenty men to the nine we saw in that house," Dave smiled.
"Surely they will not endeavor to attack us."

"Cosetta, the bandit, was he to whom you spoke in the house,"
replied John Carmody. "He has but a few men in the house, but
there are twenty or thirty more sleeping in the stables behind
the house. Altogether, unless he has sent some away, he must
have more than sixty men hereabouts."

"Then we must go on the double quick to our boat," returned Darrin.
"Hicks," he called down the straggling line, which was now just
outside the grounds and headed toward the mill, "keep the whole
party moving as rapidly as possible."

Yet Darrin was not afraid for himself, for he halted while the
party hastened forward, scanning the darkness to his rear. Seeing
the ensign standing there alone, Riley and half a dozen sailors
came running back.

"I'm afraid you're headed the wrong way, Riley," smiled Dave.
"I hear there is a large force behind us, and we must embark
as rapidly as possible."

"It won't take us long to tumble into the launch, sir," the coxswain
replied, doggedly, "but we won't leave our officer behind. We
couldn't think of doing it."

"Not even under orders?" Darrin inquired.

"We'd hate to disobey orders, sir," Riley mumbled, looking rather
abashed, "but-----"

"Hark!" called Dave, holding up a hand.

Back of the flowering hedge he heard the swift patter of bare feet.

Out of the darkness came a flash of a pistol shot. It was answered
instantly by a ragged but cra