The joy in her eyes died away when she found that the captain merely required a translator. The restraint she imposed on herself made her tongue trip. She had to ask Suarez to repeat his statement twice before she was able to put it into English. “He says that the Indians only kindle a fire on that point when they want the signal to be seen from the sea,” she explained at last. “They used it once, to his knowledge, when some of them had gone to the island out there to kill seals. He cannot guess what it portends to-day, but he is quite sure that they have many more canoes at command than those which you now see up the bay.” Courtenay could not fail to notice her agitation. His quick intent was to soothe her. “I am afraid my sending for you in such a hurry rather alarmed you. Suarez strikes me as a person of nerves; he overrates the enemy, Miss Maxwell. I think you know me well enough to believe that I would not mislead you, and I am quite in earnest when I tell you that we shall drive off these unfortunate wretches with comparative ease. Why, I had it in my heart to pity them a moment ago.” She was glad he misunderstood the cause of her agitation. “Suarez is certainly rather dramatic,” she said, smiling wistfully. “I ought to have discounted his Spanish mode of address. But is it really necessary that I should remain below?” “It is. If shots are fired, or stones slung at us, the chart-house will probably be hit. Ah, yes, I am sure you would risk that, and more. But we may sustain casualties. And Christobal ought to have help. You see, I am asking you to act the braver part.” He caught her hand and looked into her eyes. There are so many messages that can be given in that silent language; for a blissful moment, Elsie forgot the other woman. Not until she had left the bridge did she realize that Courtenay, too, must have been equally forgetful. And that was very distressing, both for her and the unknown. But here she was, face to face with him, and in such close proximity that she was unaccountably timid. While her heart leaped in tumult, she forced her lips to answer: “You are right. You are always right. I was selfish in thinking that—that I—might—” There was a pitiful quivering in the corners of her mouth. Courtenay felt her hand tremble. “Be a brave girl, Elsie,” he murmured. “You must go now. Have no fear. We are in God’s care. May His angels watch over you!” “But you, you will not risk your life? What shall we do if anything happens to you?”