ard, had caught through an opening in the bushes the flutter of a
blue gown, which he recognized as the kirtle of his idolized Lucrece.
She presently emerged from the thicket, accompanied by Arlington and
Evaleen. Palafox was much disconcerted. He forgot his role of public
benefactor, and was casting about to slip away as his fellows had
done, when Arlington, rushing forward, pistol in hand, savagely
confronted him.

"Stop!" thundered the Virginian, covering the desperado with his
pistol, and glaring upon him with determined eye. Palafox, unable to
escape, nonchalantly bit a chew of tobacco and nodded insolently.

"Take this man prisoner!" demanded the Virginian, keeping his eye and
his pistol on the boatman.

"You've no warrant to take me," sneered Palafox.

"No warrant is required. Seize him, soldiers--he is a robber, an
outlaw!"

To the accusation of Arlington, Miss Hale added her entreaties in
terms so urgent that Palafox was arrested with little ceremony.

While the soldiers were hustling the kidnapper aboard the boat, the
officer in command, Captain Warren Danvers, hastened to the shore,
having recognized the voice of Evaleen. Neither Lucrece, who loved
Danvers, nor Chester, who loved Evaleen, could hear what passed, in
rapid speech, between the affectionate couple. The story of the
voyage, the wreck, the abduction, Evaleen imparted in a breath. She
told as briefly the circumstances of the rescue.

"Oh, Warren, is it really you? A divine Providence guards us. Such a
coincidence is not blind chance. Who could guess when we parted that
we should come together under these circumstances. The hand of Heaven
saved us."

"My dear girl, will you give no credit to human saviors? It appears
you owe special gratitude to a mortal. I can't claim any merit for
saving you, but I am extremely happy that we are once more together.
Who is your travelling companion? We must look after her."

"Are you tired of me already," she playfully chided, "and curious to
make a new friend? They are French people from Gallipolis."

"French? Is she French?" asked Danvers, gazing toward Lucrece.

"French? Is she French?" tenderly mocked Evaleen. "I told you they
were French. Now I _am_ jealous. Do you know any French girl in
Gallipolis?"

"Nonsense, Evaleen! I am not a woman's man. Pardon, I don't mean that
I don't like _you_, of course--"

"Like--don't you love me? I love you with all my heart, you dear
fellow! But I love Lucrece