Every Alaculof knew of this retreat, but few
dared approach it, as the roar of the water far below appalled them.
There was only one path; when the hunters closed that their prey was
safe. The alternative to capture was death by starvation. The
Chileans, and he himself during the past fourteen hours, had subsisted
on a bag of dried berries stolen by the girl when she first led the
sailors thither.
"Didn't you see how eager we all were to search the lockers?" he asked.
"But the rascals had cleared every scrap when the boat fell into their
hands again with the falling tide."
She nestled close to him.
"I saw nothing," she whispered. "My mind held but one thought--that
you were alive, though, indeed, I was mourning you as dead. But now I
am restored to my senses. I think I can grasp what happened. Did Joey
find you?"
"Yes. You can guess my bewilderment when he sprang on top of me. I
was lying down; I heard our sentries shouting, but paid no heed. As a
matter of fact, Elsie, I, too, had abandoned hope. I could see no
chance of escape. Great Heaven! To think of your coming to my rescue!
What made you do it?"
"Please go on.
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