BETWEEN THE TIDES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 18 (Supplement)

BETWEEN THE TIDES.

BY JESSE TEMPLETON.

" CHAPTER Vlll.—(Continued). Farrant nodded and turned-to Nadine. "It is for you to decide," he said. "To tie quite frank, I don't think we can hold Cripps at bay another twelve hours. Will you risk the sea?" " I put my .whole trust in you," she said quietly. "If you think it best, I am content. More than that, I should welcome it. I want to get away from this awful ship and that —that man." . Very well. It is agreed. Rogers, 1 think it would be wise to transfer the provisions from the starboard boat into the other one. That will give us a reserve to {all bftck on. And we shall want a chart."

They got to work immediately, and very soon the boat contained all the things they resolved to take. Farrant, unable to get to his own kit, rather reluctantly made a 6felectiou from what remained of the dead tkipper's kit. " That's everything," whispered Rogers. *' I ain't sorry there's a good sea runnin', for Cripps won't spot us so easily. He'd run us down if he could."

The launching of the boat was carried cut with some difficulty, and all the while JFarrant fearetj a sudden intervention from the forecastle. But at last they were free of the ship and rowing with all their atrengtlyin a north-easterly direction. '1 he movements of the small boat were not at *ll pleasant. She rose and sank in the trough of the sea alarmingly, the port light of the ship appearing and disappearing ,with almost clockwork regularity. Fortunately all three were excellent tailors, or the results would have been mos sailors, or tho results would have been most Farrant's chief desire ,was to put as much distance between themselves- and the ship as possible before the crew awoke to discover what had happened. ' He thought they would have at least three hours' start, for it was unlikely tha(/ any of the crew would be about until seven o'clock, if then. Nadine lay in the bows, licr.face toward Farriut, gazing alternately at him and tho twinkling stars. The latter faded with ■startling suddenness and a crimson glow appeare'd on the eastern horizon. Then the motion of the boat and the rhythmic movements of the oars sent her to sleep. She awoke to find the boat stationary, aDd the sun blazing high in the heavens. Rogers was opening a tin of bully beef, .while Farrant perused the chart. She looked for the ship, but could see nothing but the swell of blue water. "Why, I fell asleep!" she exclaimed. " You needed it," said Farrant. "It Is nearly ten o'clock, and I believe we have given them the slip. Are you hungry?" '•"Starving."'-. "So am I." . "You have not slept at all," she said. £You must be dead beat." " Not a bit. Here we are on the open #ea, but it seems paradise compared to that ship." "Don't you think he will follow us?" " If he attempted that, he might easily miss us. It is.no easy task to pick up a small boat at sea. No, I think he will be content in landing his cargo and pocketing ..the proceeds." But Nadine had her doubts. Farrant 'did not know Cripps as well as she did. •Eager as he might be to lay hands on a fortune, he could never feel sucure while three people were at large to betray him at the first opportunity. But she, like Fsirrant, felt such a sense of relief at being free of the ship that she did not like to reflect upon the possibility of pursuit. " Do you know where we are exactly?" elie asked. " No.' I could not find Cripps' actual sailing chart, but there is no doubt we have passed through the Bahama group. Rogers is of the opinion that we are considerably nearer the Bahamas than Florida or Cuba. In any case the (Bahamas are British." " l T ou think we shall reach them ?" " I cannot see how we can miss so scattered a group. What do you say, Rogers?" . " We'll hit some sort of land within twenty-Four hours," replied Rogers. " Lorcly, there's nothing like rowing to give a fellow an appetite." "So you have quite got, over the poison ?" asked Nadine. " Pretty well, but if it hadn't been for Farrant I'd be well down in Davy Jones' locker by now. That sea pirate knew I'd split when I got a chance. To think of him cutting the skipper's throat while he alep€!" Farraht stared at him, for it was the first detailed piece of information he had lieard about the death of Onions.

" So that is what happened ?" "Aye. The skipper and Mr. Spencer *rere flung overboard late at night, with heights ©n their feet. I had to pretend to be with the crowd, so as to save my neck. 1 . A pretty blood-thirsty crowd, too! I hopes I'll never sail with another crew three parts lascar." The, meagre meal finished, tho two, men started rowing again. Nadine sawthat Farrant was almost exhausted from lack of, sleep and the whole series of strenuous events of the preceding day. Rogers was also tired, but lie had had some sleep before Cripps launched his attack.

".Let me take the oar," she begged. " I want to do something, and I know how to row. Sleep will refresh you and then you can relieve Rogers." " I'm all right," he said stubbornly. For another hour he continued, but his energy was visibly flagging. She leaned over and put her hand on over, and put her hand on his arm. " Now, please." " Very well," he replied. " But wake toe in ; an hour, so that Rogers can have a rest." She.took the heavy oar and commenced to row, The hard toil had no ill effect upon her, and she was glad to realise that ber old illness had left her physically fit as ever she had been. There was an unpleasant glare from the reflected rays of the sun on the dancing waves, but the air Jfcas fresh and good to breathe.

" Yjou row well, missie," said Rogers. " My father taught me, and he was a Jtery strict teacher. I am .sure he never dreamed that I should put his teaching to practice in this fashion." Farrant was asleep already, his eyes Bhielded from the sun by his cap. She had ample time to examine the reposeful face, and in so doing her gratitude lose high. ' But for this strange man her position would be vastly different. With no 'Farrant to protect her, there would have been no Rogers either, for the older man jwould 'have not rebelled alone. And then

She • wondered what it was that had caused Farrant to stow himself away in the ship? He had appeared without collar/or tie, but otherwise well dressed. {so far he had offered her no explanation, ,nor did she think he ever would, for oh no single occasion had he uttered a word about his past. One thing she "was convinced of, he was-honest —he was Straight. " Weren't you glad when Farrant beat Pripps,?" sho asked. " Gosh, i could have danced with joy. iWhy, • there wasn't another man on the Ship could .have stood up to that beetlebrowed skunk for two minutes. It was iike a blamed thunder-clap to Cripps. He vas all white with astonishment. I'd go •nywheres where Farrant led. So quiet too, you wouldn't guess he had a couple of tigers inside him." She smiled at this, and yet it was trueIk was Farrapt's quiet and modest de-

meanour that reached her heart. She had thanked him, but the words seemed so paltry in the circumstances. Like Rogers, she felt she owed him her life—and more.

They let 1 •'arrant sleep for two hours and then Rogers handed over his oar. All day the work went on—two rowing and one resting, with but one halt for a meal. The sun moved down to the horizon and the soft and wonderful southern night came down. By this time the swell had ceased and progress was greater. It was like a dream to Nadino to sit there under the.. ijtars. and near the sea breaking musically against the l bows of the boat, and the creak of tho oars in the rowlocks. Ironically enough, a ship's lights were seen, but a mile or two away, when there was no possible means of making their existence known. " Luck is not with us," said Farrant.

" I don't agree," replied Nadine. "We are lucky to bo here—on such a night and with land not. far away, and plenty of food and fresh water. We are lucky to have one another, aren't we?" "You bllossed optimist!" lie said with a laugh. "It is easy to see you have the sea in your blood. Some women would hate tiiis experience. " Not if they had had my recent experience." " You mean—Cripps ?" . " Can you imagine what it feels like to be in "the power of a beast—to look in vain for help from Heaven? No, that s not quite true. Help did come and who can say from what causes? It is good to meet men—real men." " That was a particularly rotten crew. It wouldn't be fair to judge tho majority, on that standard." " 1 know. But it's beautiful not to have to look upon ugly things. The stars are wonderful, and the sea too. sav that experience can only be bought, and I am beginning to see how truo it. is." The sight passed and always there were two at the oars Tn' the first, bush of tho morn, land swam out. of the blue haze Nadine saw it, first and uttered a little crv. She turned and pointed, it, out, to Rogers, whoso eyes were not so keen. " Look! Land! land!" " Are ye sure?" «' Yes —ves. Farrant! . He did not waken as she went to him and she shook him by the arm. He stared up into her beautiful face. "We are nearing land, she said excitedly. " 1 can see yellow sand and U< He was up in a minute and staring ahead. It was true enough. Less then ten miles away was an island, rapidly growing more distinct as the s umnuo growing more distinct as the sun mounted tho low-lying haze .« Yes—land,"- he said. !' I wonder what land ?" CHAPTER IX. THE ISL.VXD. Two hours later the boat grounded on the sandy beach. It was too heavy for the men to drag in on to dry land, so Nadine was carried in Farrant s arms through the crystal-clear sea, while Rogers made fast the anchor in the sand above the high-tide mark. "We'd better explore," said 1-arrant. " Perhaps the shape of the island will give us an idea what ft is. All three* walked along the sandy beach Half a mild farther on the foreshore took an abrupt turn, and the same thing happened a mile farther on. In half an hour thev came upon the boat again. " That's all there is to it," said Rogers. " It might be any of a dozen on the map. Looks as though we'll have to do a bit of guessing." . Farrant was slightly disappointed. Me at least expected to find a few inhabitants from whom he could have learned their exact position. That the island one of the Bahama group he had little doubt, but in which direction to go in order 'to strike one of the bigger islands was the problem. The scenery was incomparable and the colouring beyond description. Nadine found herself entranced, lor it was her first experience of a southern land. 136vond the straggling palms were flowering shrubs, and a strange aroma was wafted on the slight breeze. It seemed worth all the dangers through which they had passed to be able to gaze upon these natural delights. " What are we to do now ? she asked. " Recuperate," replied I arrant. ye all need sleep and rest. I suggest getting the gear out of the boat and camping on the island for a few days. It is possible that with better visibility we maysee land in some direction. The others were quite agreeable, tor Rogers had rather overtaxed his strength, and Nadine would have been reluctant to leave so soon a scene which she had believed only existed in pictures. Ihey accordingly removed most of the things from the boat and found a suitable campinc spot under the palms on the higher part of the beach. The waterproof sheet was slung between the trees to afford shade from the sun, and a meal was pre- " Strange to think of so beautiful a spot being uninhabited," said Nadine. " That's nothing," replied Rogers. " In the South Seas there arc hundreds. The trouble is water. Crowds of these islands can't produce a pint of fresh water. When it rains it all runs into the sand, and even a native requires a drink."' , . ' , . " We were wise to bring that extra cask." ~ , . , "You don't think it would be wise to stay here until we can hail a ship.' asked Nadine. Farrant shook his head. . There was a reason why he was not'keen to be icscued by a ship—reasons that he preferred to keep to himself. Besides, there was no guarantee that a ship would pass within a short period. The island might conceivably lie right out of the track of The centre of the island is a trifle elevated," he said. " I shall take a.telescope and climb the highest tree, the hone of seeing the nearest land. Thev slept away the rest of the morning. while the lazv rollers climbed the white beach. Farrant awoke first and could not resist the call of tho sea. Ho walked along the beach and found a place where lie could disrobe. Iwo minutes later lie was swimming like a fish and glorying in the experience. Hie water was delightfully warm and under his feet was smooth rock, tor an hour or more he sported in the water, and then saw Nadino approaching him. " Is it warm she asked.

"Beautiful!" Thoughtlessly she sat down on the sand and began to fling shells into the water. Her pastime kept Farrant submerged for a longer period than he. desired. '• Wouldn't you like to have a little walk ?" he said. "Walk?" . , " Well, you see T have been in here for about an hour and a half and _ She sprang to her feet with reddening cheeks. " I'm sorry," she stammered. ' I—l never thought Perhaps I shall find some fruit—over there." He laughed and sho ran up the beach and disappeared into the thick vegetation beyond. A few minutes later ho was rubbing himself down with an undergarment, singing as he did so. By the time he was dressed Nadine had followed his example. He saw her swimming gracefully parallel with the beach, her long tresses streaming behind her. The clear water afforded him a glimpse of shapely white limbs. " Do you like it?" he cried. She turned her head and nodded. " Don't go out too far. The tide" is on ihe turn." . • She could not have heard, for she deliberately altered her course and lie watched her getting farther and farther awav from the shore. He called again, but her head was turned away from him. "Nadine!" he bellowed.

A THRILLING STORY OF LOVE, CRIME AND INTWGUE ' rCopm(;z/;r

This time alio heard and her head came round. He made a motion with his hand urgo her to swim toward the beach. She obeyed, hut seemed to mako no progress. Her efforts grew stronger, but still she appeared to remain in abuut the saino position. " 1 can't —" Only the two words were audible, but ho* realised that sho was in difficulties. The boat was some distance away. Apprehensive, lie discarded his coat and boots and ran into the sea. In a few minutes ho was beside her, for. the tido was running out at an amazing rate. " Hold 011." lie said. " J—L had no idea it would be so strong." "Are you exhausted?" • " Almost,'.' she. gasped. " Then turn over and swim on your back. I'll try to help you." Sho carried out his instructions, and he supported her elbows with his two hands and kicked out for the shore. Progress was painfully slow, but at length they got into shallow water." " There is bottom hero," lie said.

; She sat down and surveyed him with startled eves. Only now did she realise what might have happened li;id ho not been in sight. " You're all right now," ho said. " I'll get back to Rogers while you dress. Didn't you hear mo shouting to you ?" " Yes." " But you took no heed." " 1 thought I was a strong swimmer." " So you deliberately disobeyed ?" "I am afraid ,T did. Are you angry?" " You might have been drowned.' " You are angry," she insisted. "•1 think you were very foolish." " I suppose T was," sho admitted. " I'm vorv sorry, Ned." He, blinked at this. In the forecastle he was sometimes called Ned, but he had no idea, sho knew of th.^t.

"Isn't that your name?" she asked artlessly. " Yes, but ——"

" Well, I can't, go on calling you Mister Farrant, nnd plain ' Farrant/ seems so uncivil. Anyway, you started it by calling me ' Nadine.' " " So 1 did," he replied with a laugh. " Well, it makes no difference, does it?" '

"ft does," sho said. "It is both shorter and sweeter." He left her at that and wandered toward tho camp. The incident disconcerted him n little, for the name she had used was not his- any more than the surname was. Coming from her lips, it had the effect of causing him to reflect upon the past, and in doing so a stab of pain came to him. Even on this beautiful primitive island, with its gay colouring :md sweet odours, the past could have a nasty flavour. Masquerading to the skipper of tho ship, his fellow-workers, and Rogers was one thing, but masquerading before Nadino was another.

On the ship ho had seen her infrequently. and the impending danger had left little time for romance. Now it, was different. Here was nsuitable setting for love and confidence. Yet both seemed barred to him. Only one thing was clear, and that was his duty to Nadine. She must be safely placed among people who would assure her a passago home. After that " Hello!" said "Rogers, waking up. " 1 thought I was been poisoned again. Lord, what a nightmare! YVliy, you're all wet."

" I've been bathing." '• Bathing! With all your togs on?" " I have queer notions at times," replied Farrant dryly. " You have, sure enough. Where's the gal " Also bathing." He looked at Farrant slyly. "Mighty pretty gal, ain't she!" " I suppose she is." " You darn well know she is. What's more, if 1 was forty years younger you wouldn't get me rowing that heavy boat again, looking for otner islands. I'd be Adam right here, I would." " You might while the provisions lasted." Rogers shook his head, as ha cut off a plug of tobacco and stuck it between his back teeth.

" You're a bit queer at times, ain't you, laddie?" he said.

" Do you think so ?" " Well, look at the yarn you used to spin in the forecastle —about your breaking gaol and hiding away in the ship. You'll never get rne to believe you corpsed a copper and got put away for twenty years-" "I don't ask you to believe it. Itwas a tale that seemed to appeal to that crowd. 1 had to boast about some exploit that they would appreciate. Up to now I haven't had the experience of seeing the inside of a gaol." " Well, they swallowed it all right, and took you to be a liist-class si ug. But, what's the matter with that gf-i " The matter? What do you raear:?" "You don't seem to encourage her much. Ain't you noticed her looting at you ? Why, I saw her lying back there in the boat with her eves half closed, taking you all in. Whatever you do, whatever vou says, she's all eyes and ears for. If you wasn't as blind as a bat " "Stop!" said Farrant. " You re imagining the silliest things. You seem to be only an old woman, after all.

"Old woman, am I? Well, there's many an old .woman can tell you when —

" For God's sake, stop talking in that fashion," interrupted Farrant, with a show of anger. " We've got to help Nadine to get home to her people. It begins and cuds there. And the less we talk about it and the sooner wo achieve it, tho better."

" All right, all right. No need to get ratty like that." Farrant was repentant immediately. Tie liked the old seaman, but could not bear to bo " chipped" on that particular subject. " I'm sorry, Rogers," he said. " But there is nothing in your pretty story. I'd be sorry to think there was because—because I am not free to think about such possibilities."

"Whew!" Married already, eh?" Farrant made no reply, but busied himself with the Rear that was lying about. He found the telescope and notified Rogers of his intention to scan the horizon on all sides, from the vantage point of the elevated land. Before lie could depart, Nadine came up, looking more radiant than over. " Are you going exploring? " she asked. " T am going to seek for a new objective."

" Lordy, what language! " ejaculated Rogers. " Can't T come, too? " she begged.

" It- is very rough going. It will be as much as I can do to find a. way through the trees and undergrowth." " Then I'll help by carrying the telescope," sho said. " You are not going to liavo all the excitement to yourself. Rogers, hand 1110 that axe, will you ? " Rogers chuckled to himself as he did as be was bid. He had a. shrewd idea that this eminently fascinating young woman would soon succeed in surmounting any obstacles that Farrant could interpose. But then he was ignorant of Farrant's past., " Ave you ready? " she inquired of Farrant. " Quite ready—if you insist," " I do. Lead on, Macduff." (To be continued daily.)