Van Luck was a powerful man, and his
madness seemed to give him double strength. I called to Melannie to
keep away from us, but afraid for my safety, and fearless of her own,
she hurried to my assistance. "Get my knife," I whispered, for I was
unable to draw it myself from its sheath by my side. The brave girl
stooped to do my bidding, when the madman, at the same moment, wrenched
his arm free and struck her. Melannie fell with a low moan upon the
thwart beside me, and Van Luck, snatching the bag of gems from where it
hung at her girdle, retreated with his prize to the stern.
I was soon upon my feet, and lifting Melannie into a more easy
position, I turned my attention to Van Luck. He was sitting in the
stern, handling the gems and mumbling over them, and when he saw me he
clutched the bag, and, springing up, made as though to run from me,
unmindful of the fact that we were tossing in mid-ocean. Without
turning his head from looking back at me, he stumbled blindly into the
sea, where he soon became lost amid the grey waves that rose on every
side.
When I returned to Melannie I could see that she was sinking fast. I
did my best to staunch the blood which flowed from her breast.
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