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In his last venture Asgeelo had been no more successful than before. Needle Island was now to the southwest, and Brandon thought that their only chance was to try farther over toward the west, where they had not yet explored. They rowed at once back to the point from which they had set out, and then went on about a hundred and fifty yards to the west.
"Did you see any sharks?" asked Louis. "No, Sahib." "Why do you fear them, then?" "I don't fear them, Sahib." "Why do you take this knife?" "One may come, Sahib." After some hesitation Asgeelo was allowed to go. As before he plunged into the water, and remained underneath quite as long; but now they had become familiarized with his powers and the suspense was not so dreadful.
"Good-by," he called, as Asgeelo whipped the horses. "Good-by forever," murmured Beatrice through her tears. About this time Despard received a call from Langhetti. "I am going away," said the latter, after the preliminary greetings. "I am well enough now to resume my search after Beatrice." "Beatrice?" "Yes." "What can you do?" "I haven't an idea; but I mean to try to do something."
At the expiration of the usual time he reappeared, and on being taken into the boat he again announced that he had seen nothing. They now rowed a hundred yards farther on in the same direction, toward the east, and Asgeelo made another descent. He came back with the same result.
It is rather a trick to win my confidence: But if so, why? They do not need to trick me. I am at their mercy. I am at their mercy, and am without defense. What will become of me? What is to be my fate? Philips has been as devoted as ever. He leaves me flowers every day. He tries to show sympathy. At least I have two friends here Philips and Asgeelo.
At last, when the suspense had become intolerable and the two had already begun to exchange glances almost of despair, a plash was heard, and Asgeelo emerged far to the right. He struck out strongly toward the boat, which was at once rowed toward him. In a few minutes he was taken in. He did not appear to be much exhausted. He had seen nothing.
She had confidence in Asgeelo, and this confidence was heightened by the fact that Mrs. Compton was going to accompany her. The very timidity of this poor old creature would have prevented her from thinking of escape on any ordinary occasion; but now the latter showed no fear. She evinced a strange exultation. She showed Philips's letter to Beatrice, and made her read it over and over again.
Asgeelo mounted the box. The stranger entered the coach and shut the door. Beatrice had not seen the face of this man; but at the sight of the outline of his figure a strange, wild thought came to her mind. As he seated himself by her side a thrill passed through every nerve. Not a word was spoken. He reached out one hand, and caught hers in a close and fervid clasp.
He then went to the cottage close by the inn, where Beatrice had found a home, and Langhetti a refuge. Philips was with him. On knocking at the door Asgeelo opened it. They entered the parlor, and in a short time Mrs. Compton appeared. Brandon's first inquiry was after Langhetti. "He is about the same," said Mrs. Compton.
Immediately the cause of this became manifest. Just behind him a sharp black fin appeared cutting the surface of the water. It was a shark! But the monster, a coward like all his tribe, deterred by the plashing of the water made by Asgeelo, circled round him and hesitated to seize his prey. The moment was frightful. Yet Asgeelo appeared not in the least alarmed.
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