The boat
answered the touch and gave a sideward lurch that sent it broadside against
the vessel, and Hugh woke as from a trance. One upward glance, and he
sprang forward to thrust the boat aside and keep her off. But as he turned
his back Dexie sprang up, and it was but the work of an instant to slip the
revolver into her pocket, and as the boat swept past she grasped the rope
ladder that hung from the vessel's side.
Terror seemed to lend her wings, for she found herself on the vessel's deck
before she had time to draw a breath, where half fainting she lay for some
moments, thanking Heaven for her safety.
But was she yet safe? No sign of life appeared on deck; but might there not
be a number of sailors, drunk, below? Would she be any safer in their
company than with Hugh? She shut her teeth hard at the thought, and
slipping her hand into her pocket, with fear and trembling, she pulled out
the revolver, and laid it at her side. How had she dared to touch it? Yet,
while facing Hugh, the possession of that revolver seemed the one thing to
be desired; but now that she had it she dreaded to touch it, though it was
her only protector in this, her awful position.
Pages:
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387