Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/340

 a brown toe as some devotee fell prostrate In his flight and babbled a cast-iron prayer to some burglar-proof god. It simply swept them off their feet, sir. Before they woke up we had entered the middle square.

"And if there wasn't her lordship trussed up between two poles, white as death!

"‘If you'll pardon the bucolic style of my turnout, dear lady, I should be felicitated to have you accompany me back to the ship,' cried Tib, cheerily, as he slashed her free and held her so she would not fall. And during it all he was apparently oblivious to the frescoes of black faces staring in stupid awe in the background.

"‘Can it be I'm saved!" she whimpered, brushing back her hair with an uncertain gesture.

"‘Tut, tut!' cried Tib, heartily, as he took her hand and tripped lightly towards his chariot. 'I guess there's no danger. These people are simply crude in their deportment, and evidently believed you some wandering goddess and would detain you awhile.'

"‘You are a brave and a good man,' she choked.

"‘I guess your hosts think me the devil. Excuse me, lady,' salaamed Tib.

"‘Never a man took greater risk,' she sobbed.

"‘An "Uncle Tom's Cabin" company, lady, will take any risk, or anything outside of a church that