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WILD MARGARET. 151
’ : i . ’ : i
xo ashore to them wolves. No! Tm sorry, Jane; ’m
main sorry; but I can’t do it—for your sake.”’
There was that tone in the man’s voice which quiets even —
the strongest and most determined of women, and his wife
sank back and resigned herself. .
. The boat swung round, and Day, setting his teeth, pulled
_ for the open sea. :
“We'll never reach the schooner,” panted Mrs. Day
hoarsely. ;
“Tl risk it,’? he responded grimly. ‘‘Better trust our-
selves to the open all night than run into the midst of the
sharks there,” and he nodded toward the shore.
~ * And this poor lady?”
He glanced at Margaret. . . :
“Well, I’m but doing her bidding, beant I?’ he re-
torted. ‘‘Didn’t she pray and beseech me not to take her
back? There, be easy! I’ve no breath for chattering,
vonen Keep the lantern dark, and steer her straight
out.
As he spoke there came another flash from the shore, and
a rocket sped upward to the black sky. | .
Day uttered a grim exclamation of satisfaction.
“The fools!” he ground out; “they’ve showed me the
way! The schooner lies due north of the customs, where
_ that rocket started from! Keep her straight, lass, and
we'll slip ’em yet. They won't risk their boat out—it's
worse near the beach than it be here clear of the rocks.
Sit still and fear nought!” .
With the cool courage belonging to his class, he pulled
steadily on, his wife grasping the tiller—for Margaret lay
motionless and inert enough pow—and. peering into the
darkness. .
Suddenly she uttered a cry. .
“The schooner, James! I saw her light for a mo-
ment!’’ a
“Ay!” he responded coolly; ‘‘she’s heard the gun and
seen the rocket, and thinks we may be harking back.
Show a glim of the lantern toward her, but keep if from
the shore.”’ ou as
Cautiously Mrs. Day raised the lantern, with its light
side toward the vessel, and an instant afterward a faint
light appeared and then went out.
Day laughed cheerily.
“She sees us, lass. Keep up thee heart; it’s all right. —
I’ve give them chaps the slip once more poo ce
Yes, once more!’ she responded, with a groan; “but
some day or other-—— y :
“Tut, tut! thee’st lost thee nerve, woman, he broke in,
curtly.: .
9?