Page:The Pacific Monthly vol. 14.djvu/85



"Yes, I watched them go, too. I followed them and saw them go into Olivera's house. I didn't know what to do — I was all alone — I — " She shuddered.

"You must help me, then, for I've a plan. Come, quickly, and show me the house."

When they re-entered the garden he sent her to the servants' quarters for women's clothing, which he proceeded to put on over the garments he was wearing.

"Can Sam get into these, all right?" he gasped,

"Yes, yes. They are Big Sal's. He's taller, but not so — oh, there! This string ties so." With her hands trembling with excitement, she adjusted the brilliant scarf over his head. "Go, and hurry !"

"Now, child, don't you worry. We'll both turn up safe in a few minutes. Get a heavy shawl and sit right here by this little gate until you hear three knocks. Don't open to anything else."

He was gone, and Elizabeth, crouching by the gate, watched him enter Olivera's house, and then closed it noiselessly. She heard her father come in, but was afraid to leave her post to go to him. He called, but receiving no answer, he must have thought she had gone to bed, for he put out all the lights. Sitting there in the shadows she prayed for Sam's safe return. There would be no question of his leaving her now — that had all been settled for him. But before he went she would tell him —

Three knocks, and Elizabeth opened the gate. In crawled two figures, one a woman's, and Elizabeth smothered a scream of laughter.

"I've been crawling in the gutter," explained cheerful Sam. "We thought it was safer that way. You see. Jack thought the length of this skirt was dan- gerous. He said I put my legs too far through it."

"Doesn't he look like a giantess?" asked Jack, chuckling. "And wasn't he scared ?"

"How did you find him?" asked the girl breathlessly. "Didn't anybody — "

"Door was open. I walked in. Men and lights in first room. I tiptoed by. Second room dark, impatient footsteps inside. Pushed back bolt, dressed my lady, and here we are."

Sam had removed the muddy garments and was gazing at his dirty hands.

"You wouldn't wait out here until I washed, would you, Elizabeth?" he asked eagerly.

Jack looked at her, grasped the situation, and came to the rescue.

"Yes, she will," he answered. "I have something to tell her while you're gone. Don't hurry."

Elizabeth followed him to the bench in the shadows, where he took her hands in his.

"Little girl," said he, "I wish you joy. Sam is a noble fellow, and you will be very happy together."

"But we — but I — oh, you're quite mistaken !" exclaimed the girl, confusedly.

"Perhaps a little premature, but not mistaken," he answered quietly. "Now, Sam will be here in a moment, and you must listen to me first. "WTien I told him that we were to move hence to-morrow, the captain of the gunboat being willing, he flatly refused. He said — well, it wasn't polite. But he intimated that we were a crowd of fraid-cats, your father included. There is real danger, for all our actions, though quite innocent, have been against us. We did explore reefs. We did make maps of them. Do you think we could persuade these hot-headed patriots that our motives were purely scientific? We're safe on the gunboat. She's come in for water, and Avill take us to safer reefs down the coast."

"Well, will Sam go, now?" The real misery in her voice appealed to the man.

"Yes," he said. "He knows now what to expect if he stayed here."

"Oh, I wouldn't have him stay now for anything in the world. He can come back later, can't he? It's hard — " with a sob. "There, he's calling me. I shall see you to-morrow before you go, Jack. Good-n