“Well, no—­I’m not much of a hand at it—­I must confess, but I think—­I could learn—­in time,” and she glanced up to see if they were nearing the vessel; but Hugh followed her look and instantly surmised her intention.

“Ha!  I see your scheme!  Let me warn you not to make any outcry in hope of getting assistance from that vessel, for I tell you it would come too late.”

“I am not afraid of your threats, sir, as you might know by this time,” said Dexie, in a firm voice.  “I do not forget the time you were going to throw me from the roof, if I did not say the words you wished to hear.  I am a good swimmer, let me tell you, so you will not find me so easy to drown as you may imagine; however, accidents will happen, and I would fain die a dry death, so take up the oars and turn back to the city, or I shall jump overboard, and try and make for that vessel.”

“Sit down, Dexie,” said Hugh, fiercely.  “Do you think I am such a fool as to let you escape me, after all?  Let me tell you, I planned for all emergencies before I asked you to come out with me, and yesterday I made my will and settled up my affairs by writing a letter for your father, in case we do not return.  So take care, it remains with you if there shall be a tragedy.  There shall be no risk of a separation, for if you make any effort to escape, it will be stopped by this,” and a bright revolver gleamed in the rays of the setting sun.

Dexie shuddered in spite of herself.  The dread of firearms was as strong in her as in most of her sex, and she shrank back in her seat with a horrified look.

“A fine proof of your regard, I must say, to carry a loaded revolver on purpose to shoot me!” was the scornful reply.

“I prepared it for myself alone.  Don’t drive me to use it against either of us.  Will you promise not to call for help?”

And looking at the murderous toy she gave the promise; and Hugh, knowing she would keep it, laid it on the seat beside him.

“Alone, and with a madman!  Heaven help me!” was Dexie’s thought.  Her heart beat wildly.  She dared not take her eyes from his face.  But there was something in her glance that had power to subdue him, and, feeling this, she met his gaze unflinchingly.  The oar still lay across her lap.  Gently, with an almost imperceptible motion, its blade reached the water, and slowly, very slowly, the distance between the boat and vessel was shortened.  She sat back in her seat so still that the slight movement of her wrists was not observed, for Hugh’s eyes seemed riveted to her face; there seemed a mesmeric power in the depths of her eyes that held him, and obliterated all else from his mind.

Dexie’s heart gave a great throb as the shadow of the vessel fell across the boat; but still he saw nothing till Dexie bent forward to give the strong pull to the oar that would give her freedom or death.  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.