THE ENCOUNTER
"Don't let them get me," she panted.
He turned to his partner in puzzled inquiry, but found that the old man had crossed to the head of the landing ladder up which the pursuers were climbing.
"Just a minute-you there! Back up or I'll kick your face in." Dextry's voice was sharp and unexpected, and in the darkness he loomed tall and menacing to those below.
"Get out of the way. That woman's a runaway," came from the one highest on the ladder.
"So I jedge."
"She broke qu-"
"Shut upl" broke in another. "Do you want to advertise it? Get out of the way, there, ye damn fooll Climb up, Thorsen." He spoke like a bucko mate, and his words stirred the bile of Dextry.
Thorsen grasped the dock floor, trying to climb up, but the old miner stamped on his fingers and the sailor loosened his hold with a yell, carrying the under men with him to the beach in his fall.
"This wayl Follow mel" shouted the mate, making up the bank for the shore end of the wharf.
"You'd better pull your freight, miss," Dextry remarked; "they'll be here in a minute."
"Yes, yesl Let us gol I must get aboard the Santa Maria. She's leaving now. Come, comel"
Glenister laughed, as though there were a humorous touch in her remark, but did not stir.
"I'm gettin' awful old an' stiff to run," said Dextry, removing his mackinaw, "but I allow I ain't too old for a little diversion in the way of a rough-house when it comes nosin' around." He moved lightly, though
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