Page:Delight - de la Roche - 1926.djvu/231

 "You blasted coward, Jack! Why did ye no stand by me?"

"I knew it would do no good. Tha'rt as wet as a rat and I'm dry. That's the only difference. Listen what tha auld girl has to say."

Mrs. Jessop had a magnificent voice. It came to them now, clear and vibrant, across the lagoon.

"You're a fine lot, aren't you? And we've a fine reception waiting for the next that ventures over here. You've had it all your way for the last few months. Now, we've got it all ours."

"You'll spend the night in gaol," cried Macy.

"Just wait a minute and listen. I sent this girl out of the town two months ago because she was making fools of all you men. But she wouldn't stay away. You wouldn't let her stay away. We know who brought her back. And we've reached the end of our patience. Haven't we, girls?"

"Ah-h!" groaned the girls.

"Now we're giving this Jezebel a fair trial by water. I've ducked her twice, and after each ducking she says she's innocent. Now—I'm a-going to duck her a third time and I may bring her up—and I may not—"

"Shame! Shame! For God's sake, no!"

The men, goaded into recklessness, prepared as one to rush into the water, while the women opposite, reinforced by fresh arrivals, frantically tore at the ruin for more ammunition.

"Wait!" thundered Mrs. Jessop, and held up her hand.

The pine wood stood black against the red curtain of the afterglow. The hunter's moon had risen and the reflection of her lovely shape lay on the ambient oval of the lagoon. Far away the crows could be heard, a distant black-winged band, mournfully crying.