Page:Barbour--Joan of the ilsand.djvu/84

72 "I'm sorry to go against your wishes," he said, "but now's the time for action. It's what I'd expect your brother to do for me if the positions were reversed."

Telling Taleile to pick out eight rowers, and taking up a couple of rifles and filling his pockets with cartridges, he went down to the beach. Joan uttered no further word of protest. As the boat was pushed off she bade him good luck, and even smiled; but before the ebony hued oarsmen had taken a score of strokes the smile gave place to an expression of grave concern. The trip was a hazardous one, for it was evident from what had gone before that Moniz would not hesitate to take life rather than be driven off the reef. She stood on the beach watching until the measured plash of the oars was lost, and the whale-boat was little more than a dot in the distance. Then she went back to the bungalow and, propping her elbows on the rail of the veranda, watched its progress through the binoculars.

Keith made a wide sweep round the edge of the rocky ledge. When he came within half a mile of the schooner it was evident to him that his movements were being carefully watched. Moniz's small boat was now nuzzling the side of the schooner and for the time diving had been suspended. Keith bit his lips, while he held a rifle in readiness and toyed longingly with the trigger.