“I am here, if that is what you mean,” she cried. “I heard Joey barking, and the shots that followed. Naturally, I wished to find out what had happened.”
“Sorry. I imagined you were sleepless, like myself, and had joined Courtenay during his watch. That explanation must have sufficed. In any case, we have other things to trouble us at present.”
Elsie had never before heard the Spaniard speaking so offhandedly. She gave small heed to his petulance; aroused from sound slumber by the alarm of an Indian attack—thrilled by the horror of the thought that she might fall into the clutches of the callous man-apes which infest the islands of southwest America—she was in no mood to disentangle subtleties of speech.
“Do you think they have left us?” she murmured, shrinking nearer to the iron shield which Courtenay seemed to think would protect her.
“Personally, I have seen no reason whatever for such a hubbub,” was the flippant answer.
It was evident that Dr. Christobal was annoyed. Notwithstanding his conventional polish, he was not a man to conceal his feelings when deeply stirred. Yet Elsie failed to catch his intent, other than that he was adopting his usual nonchalant tone.
“But something must have caused Captain Courtenay and Mr. Tollemache to fire their revolvers so frequently. And, if they were mistaken, the dog would not have shared their error. Besides, one of the canoes did not get away. See! Its mast is fastened there.”
“Ah! I had forgotten Tollemache. He was selected to join the captain’s watch, of course.”
“Yes, I was present when the watches were formed. Have you seen Mr. Tollemache? Is he safe?”
“He is among those making the round of the ship. I hope you will forgive me.”