In his excitement he completely forgot Susan, who was at that moment almost frantic with terror. She knew nothing about Panamanian law, and, of course, feared the worst. Sam might be sent to prison without the option of a fine; she herself might be arrested as the first cause of the quarrel. It was Mackenzie who came to her rescue. He had not interfered with the young men; he had been keeping his eye on Susan all the time. When Tom and Jones had been taken away he went up to her. “You better come home,” he said.
When they got outside, she broke down completely.
“You think him will go to prison, Mr. Mac?” she asked, between her sobs.
“Prison? what for?” said Mackenzie. “Them can only fine him to-morrow; that’s all.”
“But what about his job?” said Susan, who never quite lost sight of the financial aspect of any question.
“His job is all right,” Mackenzie replied. “What happen in Colon don’t concern the people in de Zone.”
“Then I don’t too sorry him gone to the calaboose,” said Susan spitefully. “Him is always boasting an’ thinking him can do what him like! To-night will teach him a good lesson.”
“Jones have no lesson to learn, Miss Sue,” said Mackenzie sententiously. “He is a young man that will always get himself in trouble. Him talk too much. What did he want to fight the other young man for to-night?”
“Because I did know Tom from home,” replied Susan.
“You was friendly wid him?” asked Mackenzie bluntly.