"You--you didn't kill any of them?" she asked anxiously.
"No, dear. I warned them off and fired into the water to show them I was
armed."
"I was afraid. But, there were two shots."
"One of them fired back the next time I spoke, but I was expecting it."
"They are wicked, wicked men, and cruel."
"They are mistaken, that's all. But it comes to much the same thing, and
I don't see," he said despondently, "how we are ever to prove it to
them."
"They will come again."
"Yes, they are to come back with every man and every boat in the Island.
I shall have my hands full. Are there more than these two places where
they can land?"
"Not good places, and these only when the sea is right. But angry
men--and ready to shoot you--oh, it is wicked--"
"We must hope the sea will keep them off, and that something may turn up
to throw some light on the other matter," he said, trying to comfort
her, though, in truth, the outlook was not hopeful, and he feared
himself that his time might be short.
"I will stop here and help you," she said, with sudden vehemence. "They
shall not have you.
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