Glenister, who ran forward and helped her to her feet.

"Don't let them get me," she panted.

He turned to his partner in puzzled inquiry, but found that the
old man had crossed to the head of the landing ladder up which the
pursuers were climbing.

"Just a minute--you there! Back up or I'll kick your face in."
Dextry's voice was sharp and unexpected, and in the darkness he
loomed tall and menacing to those below.

"Get out of the way. That woman's a runaway," came from the one
highest on the ladder.

"So I jedge."

"She broke qu--"

"Shut up!" broke in another. "Do you want to advertise it? Get out
of the way, there, ye damn fool! Climb up, Thorsen." He spoke like
a bucko mate, and his words stirred the bile of Dextry.

Thorsen grasped the dock floor, trying to climb up, but the old
miner stamped on his fingers and the sailor loosened his hold with
a yell, carrying the under men with him to the beach in his fall.

"This way! Follow me!" shouted the mate, making up the bank for
the shore end of the wharf.