A HOMEWARD VOYAGE
"It--it is all over with? You have been successful?"
"Yes, don't worry," and I held her hands fast, looking into her eyes.
"There can be no further trouble. Captain Henley and his crew are
prisoners."
"And no one was hurt? You were not?"
"Oh, there are a few sore heads, but nothing serious. I got a crack
myself; bled a little--see."
She placed her fingers on the wound, stroking the hair gently, her eyes
full of anxiety.
"Is that all? Please tell me; I--I heard a shot fired."
"Henley's revolver; no damage done. Really you must accept my
assurance. Come out into the cabin; Louis is getting breakfast ready."
"Where is the Lieutenant?" hesitating slightly.
"In Henley's cabin, going through the papers. He wants to have a full
report ready when the _Saline_ comes up. The three of us will
breakfast together."
"You must permit me to wash the wound on your head first," she
insisted. "The hair is all matted with blood. Please."
"Of course," and I laughed. "Even then I will not be very presentable;
these clothes are frightful; the last week has been a strenuous one."
"What about me!" and she shot a look downward. "I 've only had the one
dress."
"The marvel of it," I interrupted ardently. "You look as though you
had just come from the dressing-table."
"You do not think so!"
"But I do; still, it may be a case where love is blind."
The fresh color swept into her cheeks.
"That is the only explanation possible, I am sure. See how the skirt
is stained, and the lace ruffle is almost torn off."
"Oh, well, don't worry; the Lieutenant has lost his natty appearance
also. Some villain slashed his coat its full length. However, I
accept your offer."
She ministered to me with womanly gentleness, parting the matted hair,
and cleansing the wound with water. While in no way serious it was an
ugly bruise, and required considerable attention. Sitting there on a
stool while she worked, I could hear Louis bustling about in the cabin,
but my mind was busy with a thousand matters requiring settlement. At
last I refused to be ministered to any longer, laughing at her desire
to bandage my head, and insisting that all I needed now was breakfast.
As we entered the cabin, the Lieutenant stood in Henley's door.
"I was looking for you, Craig," he said, coming forward, and bowing to
my companion. "Here is a newspaper clipping which may be of interest.
I found it on the deck."
I read it hastily, and, in silence handed it to her, watching her face
as she read. It was a local item describing the finding of a dead body
which could not be identified. The details of the man's appearance as
well as the clothes worn were carefully depicted, evidently in hope
someone might thus recognize the party. She remained with the bit of
paper in her hands for what seemed a long while, while we waited. Then
her eyes were slowly lifted to our faces.
"That was Philip Henley," she said soberly.
"You are sure?"
"There is no possibility of mistake; the description is almost
photographic and the clothing I remember well."
"Your husband, madam?" asked the Lieutenant, as I remained silent.
"Yes; legally my husband, although he had driven me from him by
dissipation and neglect. I--I cannot tell you the wretched story now."
"Nor do I ask it," he hastened to assure her. "What is it, Mapes?"
A blue-jacket stood at the foot of the stairs, one hand lifted in
salute.
"The _Saline_, sir, is alongside, and hailing us. The boatswain sent
me, sir."
We followed the two on deck, and, after one glance about, I led her
around the bulge of the cabin to the narrow deck space astern. The
boat in which we had escaped had been hoisted into its davits, and we
halted in its shadow. The sea was gently rolling in great crested
waves, with no land visible except Cosmos Island. The most of our crew
must have been busy forward, as only three or four hung over the port
rail in idle curiosity. The two vessels moved side by side, separated
by a narrow stretch of green water, a thin vapor of smoke visible. I
could perceive the whiteness of the _Saline's_ deck, and the group of
officers on the bridge. The Captain, facing us, hollowed his hands.
"What have you to report, Mr. Hutton?"
"The vessel is in our possession, sir, and the crew under guard below."
"Any injuries?"
"None serious, sir."
"And the Captain--the half-breed Henley; did you get him?"
"He 's with the others."
"Better put the fellow in irons, Hutton. There are some serious
charges against him, you know. Have you men enough?"
"I could use a half dozen more."
"Very well; I 'll send them over with Mr. Steele."
"What is to be our course, sir?"
"Pensacola. Don't wait for us."
"Aye, aye, sir. Shall I hold Craig and the lady?"
"Not on this case; we have all the evidence needed. If you take their
addresses that will be all that is necessary. Pleasant voyage!"
He waved his hand, and then, perceiving us as he turned away from the
rail, lifted his cap in salute. A moment later a boat heavily manned
shot out from the cutter's black side, and headed toward us. We stood
there alone in the shadow, watching its approach.
"It is all over now, dear," I whispered.
"Yes, but--but I do not feel as though I could ever touch that money."
"You will have no choice. The courts will decide that."
She glanced aside at me shyly, and one hand rested on the rail of the
boat.
"I know what I would like to do with some of it."
"What?"
"Buy this--this boat."
"In memory?"
"Of course--you loved me then."
"And now, and always. Do you know what is the first thing I shall do
when we make Pensacola?"
"No."
I clasped the straying hand and drew her to me, looking down into her
eyes.
"Telegraph my father I am coming home."
"Is that all?"
"And that I shall bring a wife with me. Right here I end my career as
a soldier of fortune."
Under the protecting shadow of the boat our lips met.