peared, a little to the left of the course in
which his boat was running. There was a rattle of firearms, with curses
and cheers, but he paid no heed to these sounds. He was a length or two
behind the sailor, praying with all his soul that one or the other
might succeed in reaching the white robes that still kept the surface
of the water. His crew was "backing water" and straining every muscle
to bring the boat around sharp for the rescue.

The sailor's powerful strokes brought him to the spot first, but not in
time to clutch the disappearing white robes. Just as he reached out an
arm to grasp the form of the girl she went down. He did not hesitate a
second but followed. Peggy had fallen from the dead Arab's embrace, and
that worthy already was at the bottom of the sea. She was half
conscious when the shot came, but the plunge into the cold water
revived her. Her struggles were enough to keep her up for a few
moments, but not long enough for the swimmers to reach her side. She
felt herself going down and down, strangling, smothering, dying. Then
something vise-like clutched her arm and she had the sensation of being
jerked upward violently.

The sailor fought his way to the surface with the girl, and Brewster
was at his side in an instant. Together they supported her until one of
the boats came up, and they were drawn over the side to safety. By this
time the abductors had scattered like sheep without a leader, and as
there was no further object in pursuing them the little American fleet
put back for the yacht in great haste. Peggy was quite conscious when
carried aboard by the triumphant Brewster. The words he whispered to
her as she lay in the bottom of the boat were enough to give her life.

The excitement on board the "Flitter" was boundless. Fear gave way to
joy, and where despair had for a moment reigned supreme, there was now
the most insane delight. Peggy was bundled below and into her berth,
Dr. Lotless attending her, assisted by all the women on board. Brewster
and the sailor, drenched but happy, were carried on the shoulders of
enthusiastic supporters to a place where hot toddies were to be had
before blankets.

"You have returned the favor, Conroy," said Brewster fervently, as he
leaned across the heads of his bearers to shake hands with the sailor
who was sharing the honors with him. Conroy was grinning from ear to
ear as he sat perched on the shoulders of his shipmates. "I was luckier
than I thought in