Partial certainly understood human speech. He now approached Helena

slowly and stood looking up into her face in adoration. Then, without

any command, he lay down deliberately and rolled over; sat up, barked;

and so, having done all his repertory for her whom he now--as had his

master before him--loved at first sight, he stood again and

worshiped.

"Nice doggie!" said Helena courteously.

"Have a care, Helena!" said I. "Love my dog, love me! And all the

world loves Partial."

The color heightened in her cheeks. I had never spoken so boldly to

her before, but had rather dealt in argument than in assertion; which

I, later, was to learn is no way to make love to any woman.

"When do we get back to Natchez?" she demanded.

"We do not get back to Natchez."

"Oh? Then I suppose Mr. Davidson picks us up at Baton Rouge?"

"Yon varlet," said I, "does not pick us up at Baton Rouge."

"New Orleans?"

"Or at New Orleans--unless he is luckier than I ever knew even Cal to

be."

"Whatever do you mean?" inquired Aunt Lucinda in tones ominously deep.

"That the Belle Helène is much faster than the tug we left behind at

Natchez, even did he find it. He will have hard work to catch us."

"To catch us?"

"Yes, Helena, to catch us. Of course he'll follow in some way. I have,

all the way from above Dubuque. Why should not he?"

The ladies looked from me to each other, doubting my sanity, perhaps.

"I don't just understand all this," began Helena. "But since we travel

only as we like, and only with guests whom we invite or who are

invited by the boat's owner, I shall ask you to put us ashore."

"On a sand-bar, Helena? Among the alligators?"

"Of course I mean at the nearest town."

"There is none where we are going, my dear Miss Emory. Little do you

know what lies before you! Black Bart heads for the open sea. Let yon

varlet follow at his peril. Believe me, 'twill cost him a very

considerable amount of gasoline."

"What right have you on this boat?" she demanded fiercely.

"The right of any pirate."

"Why do you intrude--how dare you--at least, I don't understand----"

"I have taken this ship, Helena," said I, "because it carries

treasure--more than you know of, more than I dreamed. My father was a

pirate, I am well assured by the public prints. So am I. 'Tis in the

blood. But do not anger me. Rather, have a cup of tea." John, my cook,

was now at the door with the tray.

"Thank you," rejoined Helena icily. "It would hardly be courteous to

Mr. Davidson--to use his servants and his table in this way in his

absence. Besides----"




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