How many
persons are on the island?"
"That I don't know--perhaps half a dozen. Your hangman will be there,"
and Vernon chuckled at the thought of the scene he had witnessed near
the wood-yard.
Maxwell's teeth grated, and Hatchie distinctly heard the malediction he
bestowed upon him. Fears for his personal safety did not, for a moment,
disturb him. Prudence alone prevented him from rushing upon the
villains, and thwarting in its embryo stage their design upon his
mistress.
"You mean," said Maxwell, "to take the girl from the house by force?"
"There is no other way."
"Then we had better examine the island, or it will not be an easy matter
to land in a dark night."
"How does the owner land?"
"Probably by the little stream we saw above."
"Rather difficult navigation for a stranger. We had better land in this
part of the island. Let us walk through the thicket and find the house."
Hatchie saw them attempt to pass through the thick brush; but the task
was not an easy one. By the aid of a bowie-knife, with which they cut
away some of the bushes, they penetrated to the larger growth of trees,
where the under-brush no longer impeded their progress.
Pages:
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308