Brandon of the Engineers

Half an hour later Clare went with him to the coaling wharf, where a

launch lay at some steps. A few people were already on board, and her

host left after putting her in charge of a Spanish lady. The girl

imagined that he was glad to get rid of her, and thought there was

something mysterious about her father's movements. Something he had not

expected must have happened, because he would not have brought her if he

had known he could not take her home. It was, however, not a long run to

Santa Brigida, by sea, and the launch, which had a powerful engine,

looked fast.

In another few minutes a man came down the steps and threw off a rope

before he jumped on board. Taking off his hat to the passengers, he

started the engine and sat down at the helm. Clare did not see his face

until the launch was gliding away from the wharf, and then hid her

annoyance and surprise, for it was Brandon. His eyes rested on her for a

moment as he glanced about the boat, but she saw he did not expect

recognition. Perhaps she had been wrong when she passed him outside the

cathedral, but it was now too late to change her attitude.

The water was smooth, the sun had sunk behind the range, and a warm

breeze that ruffled the shining surface with silky ripples blew off the

shore. The rumble of the surf came in a deep undertone through the throb

of the engine, and the launch sped on with a frothy wave curling at her

bows. Now and then Clare glanced quickly at the helmsman, who sat with

his arm thrown round the tiller. She thought he looked disturbed, and

felt sorry, though she told herself that she had done the proper thing.

After a time the launch swung in towards the beach and stopped at a rude

landing behind a reef. Houses showed among the trees not far off and

Clare thought this was the pueblo of Arenas. Then she was disturbed to

see that all her companions were going to land. When the Spanish lady

said good-by she got up, with the idea of following the rest, but Dick

stopped her.

"Do you expect Mr. Kenwardine to meet you?" he asked.

"No. I was told the launch was going to Santa Brigida, but didn't know

that she was yours."

Dick eyes twinkled. "I am going to Santa Brigida and the boat is one we

use, but my colored fireman refused to leave the fiesta. Now you can't

stay at Arenas, and I doubt if you can get a mule to take you home,

because they'll all have gone to Adexe. But, if you like, we'll go ashore

and try."

"You don't think I could find a carriage?" Clare asked irresolutely,

seeing that if she now showed herself determined to avoid him, it would

be humiliating to be forced to fall back upon his help.