herself. The dread of firearms was as strong in
her as in most of her sex, and she shrank back in her seat with a horrified
look.

"A fine proof of your regard, I must say, to carry a loaded revolver on
purpose to shoot me!" was the scornful reply.

"I prepared it for myself alone. Don't drive me to use it against either of
us. Will you promise not to call for help?"

And looking at the murderous toy she gave the promise; and Hugh, knowing
she would keep it, laid it on the seat beside him.

"Alone, and with a madman! Heaven help me!" was Dexie's thought. Her heart
beat wildly. She dared not take her eyes from his face. But there was
something in her glance that had power to subdue him, and, feeling this,
she met his gaze unflinchingly. The oar still lay across her lap. Gently,
with an almost imperceptible motion, its blade reached the water, and
slowly, very slowly, the distance between the boat and vessel was
shortened. She sat back in her seat so still that the slight movement of
her wrists was not observed, for Hugh's eyes seemed riveted to her face;
there seemed a mesmeric power in the depths of her eyes that held him, and
obliterated all else from his mind.

Dexie's heart gave a great throb as the shadow of the vessel fell across
the boat; but still he saw nothing till Dexie bent forward to give the
strong pull to the oar that would give her freedom or death. The boat
answered the touch and gave a sideward lurch that sent it broadside against
the vessel, and Hugh woke as from a trance. One upward glance, and he
sprang forward to thrust the boat aside and keep her off. But as he turned
his back Dexie sprang up, and it was but the work of an instant to slip the
revolver into her pocket, and as the boat swept past she grasped the rope
ladder that hung from the vessel's side.

Terror seemed to lend her wings, for she found herself on the vessel's deck
before she had time to draw a breath, where half fainting she lay for some
moments, thanking Heaven for her safety.

But was she yet safe? No sign of life appeared on deck; but might there not
be a number of sailors, drunk, below? Would she be any safer in their
company than with Hugh? She shut her teeth hard at the thought, and
slipping her hand into her pocket, with fear and trembling, she pulled out
the revolver, and laid it at her side. How had she dared to touch it? Yet,
while facing Hugh, the possession of that revolver seemed the one thing to
be desired; but