Roland Ashford Phillips

“ He became aware now that the yacht's engines were barely turning, and looking through the port, he made out a near-by shore line. Grotesque palms, touched by the magic of the stars, lifted their feathery beads against the sky. The narrow strip of beach was dazzling white, Yet no one was in sight; no sounds came from the drifting yacht or the beach beyond.
Presently, as Brant continued to survey the peaceful scene, a point of yellow light gleamed; then it advanced, flickering on and off among the trees like a will-o'-the-wisp. ”

“ Twice in the course of the next few minutes, Brant stopped to make inquiries, for the street he sought was in a strange part of the city, a mile of more from the business section. He never before had ventured into the picturesque maze of narrow streets, far remote from the haunts of inquisitive tourists. The winding, alleylike thoroughfares were dirty, ill-lighted, and swarming with life.
When the street was found, the number corresponding to that on the envelope revealed a squat, stucco building with huge shutters, railed balcony, and a bolted door that opened into a patio. ”

“ We smoked in silence for a space, after the captain had accepted one of my cigarettes; and the throbbing of the engines, sounding like the beating of some great heart, seemed to lull one into forgetfulness.
"I've often got to thinking about the poor devils down there on the islands the fellows who love the city like we do who can't go back," the captain broke in. "It must be pretty much like Hades, if there is one on earth. I've often got to thinking about it."
The canvas chair on the other side of me, in which the stranger sat, creaked as if he had suddenly twisted about in it. ”

“ Presently, when the cutter was still far off their starboard, the Flamingo slipped like a frightened hare between the emerald keys, following an unmarked channel that must have been familiar to the skipper at the wheel.
Around them now reared countless islands, whose shores presented impenetrable thickets of mangrove roots that twisted snakelike into the water. The Gulf was lost behind them. After the yacht had swung through narrow, crooked channels, avoided sand bars and reefs, threaded silent and mystic coves, Brant lost all sense of direction. ”

“ Cheridah faltered. "I didn't know. I thought I was being held down on a farm, I thought all the real folks lived in the city, and—and——" She broke down and sobbed. "Oh, to see the waving fields once more, Bess, and to hear the old dinner bell, and to eat flapjacks again! That's life, isn't it?"
Bessie nodded. "All but the flapjacks," she said. "They are too much like the wheats they're always browning at the Supreme Lunch."
"And to pick the wild flowers," Cheridah went on, her voice low. "To help with the haying and hunt for nests in the stubble! ”

“ The constable pocketed the telegram, picked up his hat from the ground, and went hurriedly down the road, followed closely by the perplexed Rickers.
“I say, Kent,” Rickers inquired suddenly, “who in tarnation is this Walter Sidwell, anyhow? He don’t belong in Rock Siding.”
“He’s a stranger to me,” answered the other. “Most likely some crook from Branchville. But I’ll find him if he’s in the county,” said Kent grimly. “’Tain’t goin’ to be said that Rock Sidin’ is harborin’ crooks—not so long as I’m constable here.” ”

“ CHAPTER X. NO TIME FOR DREAMING. A FAIRYLIKE haze of golden twilight settled down upon the vast and placid Gulf. The distant, enchanted keys melted away. The yacht lights came on suddenly, twinkling like fireflies, to be reflected in the water.
Miss Newberry had gone to her stateroom, and Brant, deep in an easy-chair, looked up at the first, faint stars. He seemed half asleep; but in reality his mind never was more active. Before another sun touched the palms and sandy wastes of Seminole land, a part must be played and an unrehearsed performance given. ”

“ Standing there, amid the flame and smoke and crumbling walls, I could but dimly wonder whether this one hour did not more than balance his sinning. Surely the scales of mercy are just!
Then the child on my shoulder began to whimper, interrupting my thoughts, and, clapping a brutal hand across her mouth, I hurried on.
A stone building broke out of the pall ahead of us, and I saw Warwick standing irresolutely before it. Parts of the wall were crumbling, and the flames were leaping out from the windows.
"Don't go in there!" I shouted to him. "It'll fall—fall—in a minute! Stand away!" ”

“ A voice lifted commandingly, shattering her visions as a rifle ball might shatter a pane of glass. "Pay attention! Can't you see there's customers waiting?"
It was Mr. Howland, the refined floorwalker, who had interrupted. With tremulous fingers Cheridah tucked the valentine beneath the long tray, and bent her attentions upon serving the customers which the big sign—"TO-DAY AT 49 c."—lured to the counter. ”

“ Brant heard one of the men walk away and decided that it was Korry; he heard a cautions step approach him and concluded that Meech intended to inspect the prisoner. Yet Brant dared not risk opening his eyes to make sure. So long as he remained quiet, he trusted the engineer would not bother him, or too closely examine the frayed ropes.
The crinkle of paper and the striking of a match indicated that Meech had rolled and lighted a cigarette. Aware that the man must be standing over him, Brant lay inert—a huddled, motionless figure in which life seemed all but extinct. ”

“ The hot sun streamed through the barred window and painted vertical lines on the opposite wall. Brant rolled off the cot and made for the door. This time, much to his surprise, it opened readily, and he stepped out into a wide patio.
He glared defiantly and rather amazedly about him. No one was within sight. The patio was empty; the doors that opened from it were closed. He had a debt to pay and meant to return it with interest. Just at the moment he felt in a mood for fighting; but there was no one to give battle; no one to answer questions. ”

“ The city—" He fumbled desperately at his throat. And while he stood there gasping I saw the figure of the stranger climbing the short stairs toward us.
"Go on! Go on!" I urged.
"The city—was destroyed by earthquake—this morning!" the operator stammered, "She's in flames—burning—burning—absolutely no hope left! Everything's gone!"
With horror-stricken eyes, I saw the stranger grope blindly for the hand-rail, choke out something like a scream, and then crumple limply to the deck. ”

“ Robust adventure was somewhat to his liking; but so far, it seemed, the stars were slightly off their course. Still, he was ready for it. Adventure and romance fairly permeated Havana. One rubbed elbows with it at every turn of the road. The very atmosphere was full of it.
After waiting more or less patiently, however, Brant concluded that what was written in the stars was pure hokum; that Adventure, Romance and Company cared no more for his services than did the café proprietors or the departing vessels. ”

“ The captain's big hand slapped to his knee.
"Warwick was drunk—dead drunk!" he exclaimed.
I drew my feet down from the coil of rope. A puff of wind came from somewhere, bulging the awning above us. I stared meditatively across the white space, where a lamp glowed amidship. Far up, toward the cabin, a door opened and shut, and a bar of light shot obliquely over the deck. In another moment the wireless operator came down and addressed the captain. ”

“ Meech stopped in his tracks. For a moment undecided, he whirled suddenly and picked up the revolver that Korry had knocked from his hand a few minutes before.
Instantly aware of the man's grim purpose, and spurred by desperation, Brant put forth all his strength. The ropes snapped. He flung himself headlong at the crouching engineer as the lifted revolver spouted flame. A hot, tearing agony numbed his shoulder; but unmindful of the pain he closed upon the man, bore him to the deck, hammered him with a blind, unreasoning ferocity ”

“ The skipper held unerringly to his course.
Countless palm-fringed islands, with their shining strips of white beach, began to spring up magically, like dark-blue clouds floating between turquoise sky and water. Flocks of sea gulls and pelicans, on the trail of fish schools, swarmed into view at intervals, filling the air with discordant cries. An occasional porpoise, its body glistening in the sun, disported playfully off the bows of the yacht. ”

“ Before Korry could find words suitable to express an unflattering opinion of what his captor had revealed, Miss Newberry emerged from the hatch. She stood, a slender figure in the misty starlight, and gazed wonderingly at the scene before her.
Brant greeted her with a smile. “Are the five minutes up?” he inquired. “Good! You're just in time to take a hand in the finish. Suppose you investigate Korry's pockets! It'll be safer all around when he's disarmed.” ”

“ The last two men did not look aggressive to Brant; but the engineer, to whom he took an instant dislike, and Korry himself, gave Brant food for thought. He did not underestimate the odds against him, and he realized that Meech and the captain would prove formidable antagonists in a hand-to-hand encounter. Only by a ruse, by pitting his wits against them, could he hope to come off victorious. ”

“ Instantly alert at the new danger, the skipper bounded across the deck.
A moment later, having studied the approaching craft through leveled binoculars, Korry cried the alarm: “It's the cutter! Look alive now!”
The smuggler himself took the helm, while Rambo and the Cuban crowded to the rail.
Meech, apparently indifferent to the unpleasant news, slipped from the hatch and bent a glowering face upon Brant. “Say, you're a wise guy, ain't you?” he snarled. “Like to crow about it! what you think you seen ain't goin' to travel far. You won't get a chance to squeal. ”

“ At times the trees met overhead, and the boat swept through cool, leafy tunnels where birds screeched complainingly; again the yacht emerged abruptly into wide lagoons where the sun glare was blinding and the water lay like a mirror.
“What are you going to do?” the girl asked at length. “You've no weapon—nothing with which to defend yourself.”
“I've a likely pair of arms,” Brant said. ”

“ At twelve o'clock exactly the engine-room bell sounded, and with slowly churning screws, the Flamingo moved gracefully into the open water. Miss Newberry and Brant stood near the inclosed bridge, where Korry operated the wheel, and watched the receding shore line with its tinted houses, its picturesque harbor and busy docks bathed in the vivid glare of noon sunlight. ”

“ To a man they sensed what capture meant and wasted no time in watching a presumably bound and disheartened prisoner.
Breathing easier now, his mind occupied with a host of rash plans, Brant saw that the Federal cutter had gained on its quarry. It had altered its course in an endeavor to head off the Flamingo; but the situation was still in Korry's favor.
Brant realized that at once. He could depend upon no help from the authorities. The yacht was too swift and its skipper too adroit. Once beyond the dead line of islands the chink runner could laugh impudently at Federal pursuit. ”

“ Although the cargo of Korry's craft contained neither pieces of eight nor precious stones, it was none the less valuable, and the risks he ran were great. No skipper of a pirate ship was kept more on the alert; none more keen to realize the dangers that constantly threatened him.
At regular intervals, the single member of his crew, Meech, making his first trip out of Havana as a combination engineer, mate, and general utility man, came upon deck for a breath of fresh air and a drag at a cigarette. He was, in appearance, as forbidding as his skipper, whose capable hands controlled the wheel. ”