Dawn began to break over the far side of the atoll, the sky brightened,

the clouds became dyed with gorgeous colours, the shadows of the night

lifted. And, suddenly, Herrick was aware that the lagoon and the trees

wore again their daylight livery; and he saw, on board the Farallone,

Davis extinguishing the lantern, and smoke rising from the galley.

Davis, without doubt, remarked and recognised the figure on the beach;

or perhaps hesitated to recognise it; for after he had gazed a long

while from under his hand, he went into the house and fetched a glass.

It was very powerful; Herrick had often used it. With an instinct of

shame, he hid his face in his hands.

'And what brings you here, Mr Herrick-Hay, or Mr Hay-Herrick?' asked

the voice of Attwater. 'Your back view from my present position is

remarkably fine, and I would continue to present it. We can get on very

nicely as we are, and if you were to turn round, do you know? I think it

would be awkward.'

Herrick slowly rose to his feet; his heart throbbed hard, a hideous

excitement shook him, but he was master of himself. Slowly he turned,

and faced Attwater and the muzzle of a pointed rifle. 'Why could I not

do that last night?' he thought.

'Well, why don't you fire?' he said aloud, with a voice that trembled.

Attwater slowly put his gun under his arm, then his hands in his

The Ebb-Tide