"He was shot in the back by one of his own men as we were bringing him up the gang-way. The fellow who killed him has given himself up, and says that he did it because Strang had him publicly whipped day before yesterday. I'm up here hunting for a man named Obadiah Price. Do you know--" Nathaniel interrupted him excitedly. "What do you want with Obadiah Price?" "The president of the United States wants him. That's all I know. Where is he?" "Back there--dead or very badly wounded! We've just had a fight with the king's men--" The lieutenant broke in with a sharp command to his men. "Quick, lead us to him. Captain Plum! If he's not dead--" He started off at a half run beside Nathaniel. "Lord, it's a pretty mess if he is!" he added breathlessly. Without pausing he called back over his shoulder, "Regan, fall out and return to the ship. Tell the captain that Obadiah Price is badly wounded and that we want the surgeon on the run!" A turn in the path brought them to the opening where the fight had occurred. Marion was on her knees beside the old councilor. Nathaniel hurried ahead of the lieutenant and his men. The girl glanced up at him and his heart filled with dread at the terror in her eyes. "Is he dead?" "No--but--" Her voice trembled with tears. Nathaniel did not let her finish. Gently he raised her to her feet as the lieutenant came up. "You must go to the cabin, sweetheart," he whispered. Even in this moment of excitement and death his great love drove all else from his eyes, and the blood surged into Marion's pale cheeks as she tremblingly gave him her hand. He led her to the door, and held her for a moment in his arms. "Strang is dead," he said softly. In a few words he told her what had happened and turned back to the door, leaving her speechless. "If he is dying--you will tell me--" she called after him. "Yes, yes, I will tell you." He ran back into the opening. The lieutenant had doubled his coat under Obadiah's head and his face was pale as he looked up at Nathaniel. The latter saw in his eyes what his lips kept silent. The officer held something in his hand. It was the mysterious package which Captain Plum had taken his oath to deliver to the president of the United States. "I don't dare move until the surgeon comes," said the lieutenant. "He wants to speak to you. I believe, if he has anything to say you had better hear it now." His last words were in a whisper so low that Nathaniel scarcely heard them. As the lieutenant rose to his feet, he whispered again. "He is dying!" Obadiah's eyes opened as Nathaniel knelt beside him and from between his thin lips there came faintly the old, gurgling chuckle. "Nat!" he breathed. His thin hand sought his companion's and clung to it tightly. "We have won. The vengeance of God--has come!" In these last moments all madness had left the eyes of Obadiah Price.