nother man embracing the lady.

Barry looked helplessly at Miss Sheldon. Her face wore a smile which
plainly said she approved the whole business. So Barry once more
repressed his curiosity and gave the lady good morning.

"I'm so glad to see you again, Captain Barry," she responded, her cheeks
very pink and her eyes sparkling, notwithstanding the impending crisis
in her life. "This morning, at least, I can express my true sentiments."

"Which are?" Barry would have let all go to hear her reply to that
query.

"A sincere hope for the eventual success of your expedition."

"Is that all?" Barry persisted, holding her hand and watching with a
thrill the rich color that flooded her cheeks under his gaze.

"Pardon me, Captain," Vandersee interrupted, bringing relief to Natalie.
"Pardon, but time is short. I am ready to give you a push over. Then
anchor again, right across the creek mouth. If Leyden smells the trap,
he will try to board the ship. If so, you will welcome him and make him
secure." The big Hollander checked himself, then added, with an awful
change of expression: "On your life, Barry, don't you dare to kill him.
I want that man alive and sound!"

The big man had gone livid. He violently regained control of himself,
stepped to the ladder to reenter the launch, and as he went he smiled
softly at the women and said in adieu:

"Juliana, you will keep out of sight, of course, for a while. Miss
Sheldon, we are depending on you to play an important little part. Don't
forget, now. And if your heart fails you now, please let me know before
I go. Upon you depends all."

"Have no fear for me," replied Natalie, paling slightly, but with a firm
set of her round, dimpled chin. "I am fear-proof now I have such able
protectors around me," and she smiled at Gordon and Barry.

The schooner was brought over near to the creek mouth, and when her
anchor was again let go she swung to the stream almost parallel to the
wreck of the _Barang_, and within a short biscuit-toss. The steam launch
shot back to the cove and took up the men left there in Houten's charge;
then she steamed over to the creek, landed Rolfe, Blunt, Little, and
three seamen on the down-river bank of the creek, and swung back
alongside the blackened hulk of the brigantine.

Barry intently watched the maneuvers of that launch, for, with Natalie
beside him, and Gordon on deck by the companionway door talking quietly
to Mrs. Goring concealed inside, the air s