"Be easy, miss; we'll look after your friends by and by. I reckon they can take care of themselves, though." "Ladies fust, and gents next," interjected Sheldrake, leering at Evaleen. "We know how to be perlite to women. Don't we, cap? Specially to purty women. The young lady is right when she calls me and you gents, eh, cap?" "Shut your gab, and mind your oar," answered the chief. What object had these unknown watermen in conveying their unwilling passengers away from communication with Captain Winslow and Doctor Deville? Evaleen could not hide her dismay. Lucrece grew desperate. "Will you stop the boat, sir? I beg it as a favor. I must go back to mon pere. He will think us drowned. I must find him." "Keep cool, miss. We will help you to a place where you will be taken good care of, by nice folks. You can stay there and rest yourselves, and get a bite to eat and a glass of cordial, while we go back to look after the salvage." Five minutes more and the skiff was brought to rest beside a scow loaded with damaged merchandise. The abducted women were hustled to the shore. "Come along, miss; this way." Thus speaking, Palafox, going ahead, almost dragged Evaleen by an obscure path to Cacosotte's Tavern. Lucrece followed perforce, convoyed by Sheldrake. When they reached the threshold, the chief outlaw kicked the door, which was soon opened from within. The frowning face and bold bosom of Mex fronted the captives. With one hand she flung back the tangled hank of her long black hair, while the light of her black eyes shone full on Evaleen. The side glare cast on Lucrece was less vicious. "Mex, here is two fine ladies that will stop in our house a while," said Palafox. "Treat 'em to the best you've got. Take mighty good care of 'em till I come back, Blackie, or you'll hear from me. Put 'em in number three, there's most light there, and it's safer. Tell Sott, when he comes back, to keep his nine eyes on the front door, to see that nobody that oughtn't to gets in or out." "One apiece for us, eh, Mex?" added Sheldrake. The kidnappers departed, after fastening the outer bolt of the door. Mex, sole custodian of the unwilling guests, scowled upon them, in silence. Evaleen came to her with appealing looks. "Please unlock the door and let us go. Here, take my purse. I will give you more if you will set us free--all I have. You are a woman; have pity; let us go." Mex grasped the silken purse, keeping her eyes steadily on the beautiful pleader. "You window woman?" Evaleen, nonplussed, ventured to nod acquiescence with these unintelligible words. "White antelope?" The captive nodded again, in dumb perplexity, eager to encourage any sign of human kindness on the part of the wild being into whose power she had fallen. "White Mex teeth." She showed her sharp incisors, presenting an aspect of fierce scorn. "Castiliano. My home. Come."