attack from land or from boat. And Gavin was not minded to
let Standish finish his work with boat-hook or with oar. If
he and his foe were to meet it should be on even terms.

The boat had switched off power and was coming to a
standstill. Gavin dived. He swam clean under the craft,
lengthwise, coming up at its stern and farthest from that
indistinct figure in the prow.

As he rose to the surface he caught with both hands the narrow
overhang of the stern, and with a mighty heave he hoisted
himself hip-high out of the water.

Thence it was the work of a bare two seconds for him to swing
himself over the stern and to land on all fours in the bottom
of the boat. The narrow craft careened dangerously under such
treatment. But she righted herself, and by the time he had
fairly landed upon the cleated bottom. Brice was on his feet
and making for the prow. He was ready now for any emergency
and could meet his adversary on equal terms.

"Mr. Brice!" called the boat's other occupant, springing up,
her sweet voice trembling and almost tearful. "Oh, thank God
you're safe! I was so frightened!"

"Miss Standish!" sputtered Gavin, aghast. "Miss Standish!"

For a moment they stood staring at each other through the
darkness, wordless, breathing hard. Their quick breath and
the trickling of fifty runnels of water from Gavin's drenched