So, marshaling the best qualities of her womanhood, she quelled the
turmoil in her breast, forced herself to join the men on the after
deck, and said, when the smiling Spaniard turned to receive her:
"Why am I denied the mild excitement of mine-laying, Dr. Christobal?
Is it that you dread the effect on my nerves of these murderous
preparations?"
"No," he answered, making room for her at the railing by his side. "I
had missed you, of course, but I thought you were resting."
"Resting, indeed! I have been quite busy. Where do they mean to put
the second contrivance?"
"About there," he said, indicating a point on the surface of the bay
eastward of the canoe. His right arm was extended, and he placed his
left hand on her shoulder. Courtenay, hailing Walker, saw the two
leaning over the rails in that attitude. Perhaps one of the two hoped
that Courtenay would see them. Elsie, as part of her punishment, did
not shrink away, though the touch of Christobal's hand made her flesh
creep. But Joey, whose mind was singularly free from complexities,
leaped up at her. He wanted Elsie to tell him what Courtenay was doing
out there, so far away from the ship.
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