"He must not die, he shall not die!" she cried to herself. "I will save him for his revenge. You accused me of loving him, Captain Joaquin, wrongly accused me, but I will love him now, love him with my whole heart, for you have made me hate you—hate you!"
She lifted Dick's head and pressed warm and passionate kisses upon his face, believing he was wholly unconscious.
To her surprise her last kiss was returned.
She sprang up with a startled little cry, and released her hold instantly.
"I owe my life to you," said Dick, in low tone. "I shall not soon forget the obligation, I promise you."
"I regret that I could not save you the torture you had to undergo," was the response. "You heard his threats; I was afraid to say another word in your favor."
"I am glad that you did not do so. But release me quickly and let me get hold of my weapons—which they left yonder on the ground. They may return, and not only my life, but yours, is now at stake. There will be another reckoning before the account is closed."
She freed his hands even while he was speaking.
"Yes, there will be another reckoning," she said, in low, intense tones, "and in it I will be on your side. I hate him—hate him now as much as I ardently loved him before—or thought I loved him. How blind I was to his true character!"
"Do you know what is good for a burn?" Dick asked.