"I didn't, I tell you. Better be careful what you say. It wouldn't
take much to send you after him," was the stranger's menacing retort.

With a look of withering scorn Madge coolly turned her back on the
intruder. She would not take the trouble to bandy words with him. She
was too angry to experience the slightest fear of this scowling,
ill-favored youth. Her superb indifference to his threat made a
visible impression upon him. With a muttered word he slouched to the
bow of the boat, where he crouched, glaring at her with the eyes of an
angry animal brought to bay.

Although not more than a minute had passed since Tom disappeared over
the side of the boat it seemed hours to the frightened girl. She must
act quickly or Tom would be lost.

During their sail she had watched Tom Curtis manoeuvre the boat and had
paid particular attention to his manner of "bringing it to." It had
appeared to be a comparatively simple process and she laughingly
remarked that she believed she could do it herself. Now the
opportunity had come to prove her words. Grasping the tiller, she
brought the boat directly into the eye of the wind. A moment later the
sails flapped in the breeze, and the boat floated idly in the heavy
rolling sea.

The stranger had not in reality given Tom the final shove that sent him
overboard. At the edge of the boat he had suddenly relaxed his hold,
and Tom, faint from the pain of his injured shoulder had toppled
backward. The shock of striking the water revived him somewhat, and as
he felt himself slipping down he made a brave effort to swim, then,