When Christobal descended to the saloon he found Elsie holding the
excited dog. It was instantly perceptible that she was not aware of
the grave position of affairs on deck. 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."
"Just fancy those horrid Indians venturing to approach the ship
to-night after the dreadful lesson they received this afternoon! And
what will poor Señor Suarez say? He was so positive that they would
never come near us after dark."
"I saw him, also, on the promenade deck," answered Christobal quietly.
"He had very much the semblance of a false prophet."
The Spaniard meant to meet grim fate with a jest on his lips. He had
seen Suarez lying dead or insensible close to the rails. In fact, the
unlucky Argentine was only separated by the thickness of the ship's
deck from the table near which Elsie was standing. Unless he were
speedily rescued he would bleed to death.
"Ah, I heard Joey barking. He has gone aft," cried Elsie. "And what
is that?" she added, moving suddenly towards the center of the saloon.
She had caught the fierce hiss of steam, and she was well aware that
steam would only be brought into use if the Indians were endeavoring to
climb the ship's sides: not yet had it occurred that they could
possibly be on board.
"Some of our friends the enemy have come near enough to be scalded,"
said the man, coolly. "That should soon drive them away. You are not
frightened, I hope?"
"Not a bit. My only regret is that I am not permitted to help in the
defense. It must be irksome for you, Dr. Christobal, to be stationed
here when the ship is in danger. I am certain you would prefer to be
up there with the others."