now that she had it she dreaded to touch it, though it was
her only protector in this, her awful position.

When the boat slipped clear of the vessel, and Hugh turned about and
realized that he was alone, he sank down on the seat as if powerless to
move.

Where was Dexie? How had she escaped? No cry had reached his ears, no sound
of splashing water warned him that she had gone over the side. Yet he was
alone, Alone!

His terrified glance swept the water around him, as if he expected to see
her upturned face in the waves that mocked his misery by their ceaseless
motion.

Merciful Heaven, had he lost her, after all; lost the life that was dearer
to him than his own? It could not be. A few rapid strokes, and he was again
at the vessel's side, intending to summon assistance from those on board to
aid him in his search. Had either of them known that the two men on board
the vessel were hopelessly drunk in their berths below, and that the rest
of the crew were about returning from Halifax charged with hell-fire in the
shape of Water Street whiskey, it might have made some difference in the
actions of both.

Dexie watched Hugh's movements with interest, but when she saw him
approaching the vessel her fear of him again increased, and she rose and
confronted him.

"Don't come any nearer, I warn you!" she cried. "I hold the revolver now,
and I shall not scruple to use it for my own safety."

"Dexie, how did you get there?" was the relieved reply. "Put down that
revolver before you do harm with it. You must come back in the boat! Do you
think you are safe among a lot of sailors!"

Hugh seemed perfectly sane how, whatever may have been the condition of his
mind previously, and he shuddered as her unprotected condition flashed over
him.

"Keep off, McNeil! don't come any nearer at your own peril! I will trust
myself among a shipload of drunken sailors before I will put myself in your
power again."

"Dexie, I'll give you my word of honor to take you home at once, if you
will leave the vessel. Come, you need not fear me any more; I think I must
have been mad."

"Keep off, I tell you! I am not so foolish as you think! I don't forget you
prepared that revolver in your sober senses, whatever may have been your
state of mind awhile ago. Keep back, or you shall have the bullet you
prepared for me!"

What could he do? She seemed terribly in earnest, yet, if she did not come
back with him, how should she be able to return at