d of
regular footfalls somewhere in the fore part of the ship showed that the
sentinels were still there. The guardsman walked over to the side and
peered down into the darkness. He could see the loom of a boat.

"Who is there?" he whispered.

"Is that you, De Catinat?

"Yes."

"We have come for you."

"God bless you, Amos."

"Is your wife there?"

"No, but I can rouse her."

"Good! But first catch this cord. Now pull up the ladder!"

De Catinat gripped the line which was thrown to him, and on drawing it
up found that it was attached to a rope ladder furnished at the top with
two steel hooks to catch on to the bulwarks. He placed them in
position, and then made his way very softly to the cabin amidships in
the ladies' quarters which had been allotted to his wife. She was the
only woman aboard the ship now, so that he was able to tap at her door
in safety, and to explain in a few words the need for haste and for
secrecy. In ten minutes Adele had dressed, and with her valuables in a
little bundle, had slipped out from her cabin. Together they made their
way upon deck once more, and crept aft under the shadow of the bulwarks.
They were almost there when De Catinat stopped suddenly and ground out
an oath through his clenched teeth. Between them and the rope ladder
there was standing in a dim patch of murky light the grim figure of a
Franciscan friar. He was peering through the darkness, his heavy cowl
shadowing his face, and he advanced slowly as if he had caught a glimpse
of them. A lantern hung from the mizzen shrouds above him.
He unfastened it and held it up to cast its light upon them.

But De Catinat was not a man with whom it was safe to trifle. His life
had been one of quick resolve and prompt action. Was this vindictive
friar at the last moment to stand between him and freedom? It was a
dangerous position to take. The guardsman pulled Adele into the shadow
of the mast, and then, as the monk advanced, he sprang out upon him and
seized him by the gown. As he did so the other's cowl was pushed back,
and instead of the harsh features of the ecclesiastic, De Catinat saw
with amazement in the glimmer of the lantern the shrewd gray eyes and
strong tern face of Ephraim Savage. At the same instant mother figure
appeared over the side, and the warm-hearted Frenchman threw himself
into the arms of Amos Green.

"It's all right," said the young hunter, disengaging himself with some
embarrassment