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.

When the boat slipped clear of the vessel, and Hugh turned about and realized that he was alone, he sank down on the seat as if powerless to move.

Where was Dexie?  How had she escaped?  No cry had reached his ears, no sound of splashing water warned him that she had gone over the side.  Yet he was alone, Alone!

His terrified glance swept the water around him, as if he expected to see her upturned face in the waves that mocked his misery by their ceaseless motion.

Merciful Heaven, had he lost her, after all; lost the life that was dearer to him than his own?  It could not be.  A few rapid strokes, and he was again at the vessel’s side, intending to summon assistance from those on board to aid him in his search.  Had either of them known that the two men on board the vessel were hopelessly drunk in their berths below, and that the rest of the crew were about returning from Halifax charged with hell-fire in the shape of Water Street whiskey, it might have made some difference in the actions of both.

Dexie watched Hugh’s movements with interest, but when she saw him approaching the vessel her fear of him again increased, and she rose and confronted him.

“Don’t come any nearer, I warn you!” she cried.  “I hold the revolver now, and I shall not scruple to use it for my own safety.”

“Dexie, how did you get there?” was the relieved reply.  “Put down that revolver before you do harm with it.  You must come back in the boat!  Do you think you are safe among a lot of sailors!”

Hugh seemed perfectly sane how, whatever may have been the condition of his mind previously, and he shuddered as her unprotected condition flashed over him.

“Keep off, McNeil! don’t come any nearer at your own peril!  I will trust myself among a shipload of drunken sailors before I will put myself in your power again.”

“Dexie, I’ll give you my word of honor to take you home at once, if you will leave the vessel.  Come, you need not fear me any more; I think I must have been mad.”

“Keep off, I tell you!  I am not so foolish as you think!  I don’t forget you prepared that revolver in your sober senses, whatever may have been your state of mind awhile ago.  Keep back, or you shall have the bullet you prepared for me!”