meditating a prompt, offensive return. In the twinkling of an eye,

he had leaped behind a tree; and was crouching there, pistol in hand,

peering from either side of his place of ambush with bared teeth; a

serpent already poised to strike. And already he was too late. Attwater

and his servants had disappeared; and only the lamps shone on the

deserted table and the bright sand about the house, and threw into the

night in all directions the strong and tall shadows of the palms.

Davis ground his teeth. Where were they gone, the cowards? to what hole

had they retreated beyond reach? It was in vain he should try anything,

he, single and with a second-hand revolver, against three persons,

armed with Winchesters, and who did not show an ear out of any of the

apertures of that lighted and silent house? Some of them might have

already ducked below it from the rear, and be drawing a bead upon him at

that moment from the low-browed crypt, the receptacle of empty bottles

and broken crockery. No, there was nothing to be done but to bring away

(

if it were still possible) his shattered and demoralised forces.

'Huish,' he said, 'come along.'

''S lose my ciga',' said Huish, reaching vaguely forward.

The captain let out a rasping oath. 'Come right along here,' said he.

''S all righ'. Sleep here 'th Atty-Attwa. Go boar' t'morr',' replied the

festive one.

159

The Ebb-Tide