Page:The Cave Girl - Edgar Rice Burroughs.pdf/259

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FIRST MATE STARK
245

in for it, one way or the other.

Again he looked down into Nadara’s face. She was very beautiful. He wanted her badly. Slowly his glance wandered to the calm waters of the ocean and on to the quiet shore line. Then back to the girl. For a moment he stood irresolute. Then he stepped to the side of the cabin where hung a life preserver to which was attached a long line.

He put the life preserver about Nadara. Then he lowered her into the ocean. The moment he felt her weight transferred from the lowering rope to the life preserver he vaulted over the yacht’s rail into the dark waters beneath her stern.