She knew, of course, that the
Alaculof menace had become active again, but the first attack had been
beaten off so easily that she was sure this later effort would fail.
The dog was better informed. His alert ears told him that there were
strange beings on board. He struggled so resolutely that Elsie freed
him just as the Spaniard reached the foot of the stairs. Forgetting
his wounded paw, and all a-quiver with the fine courage of his race,
Joey galloped up the companion and disappeared. Elsie was much
distressed by her four-footed friend's useless pugnacity.
"I could not keep him back," she said, "and I am afraid he runs some
risk of being hit. Do you think he will go to the chart-house? That
is so exposed--Captain Courtenay is not there, is he?"
"No. I left him a moment ago, close to the saloon entrance."
She listened intently. Her imagination led her astray, it was so
hopelessly on the wrong tack.
"There does not appear to be so much stone-throwing now, but I suppose
I ought not to go on deck?" she cried.
"It is not to be thought of, Miss Maxwell. Indeed, the captain asked
me to come and bear you company.
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