At length, just as we drew near the stage, her feet lagged, and then utterly refused to move.
She looked up at me almost piteously, and never shall I forget the expression of her face as I beheld it in the cold starlight.
“Leave me! oh! leave me, and save yourself, Morgan!” she whispered, having no breath for more.
“No, I’ll be d—— if I do!” I cried, almost savagely, and with that I snatched her up as though she were an infant, and thus laden, I pattered out on the landing stage.
Already I heard Robbins cheering, and I knew he had struck a bonanza.
This renewed my strength, for there is no incentment in this world equal to newly aroused hope.
I had already scented more trouble.
Robbins had not found the quay deserted, for I could see several figures besides his out yonder.
These I knew to be native boatmen, anxious to find trade, since a steamer had anchored in the harbor.
They were, as a rule, rough fellows, eager to earn a real at any time, but, if inclined to be ugly, would make bad customers.