fought between him and the camp. And at last, not knowing why he returned any more than he knew why he had gone out, he passed the bluff towards the camp again.
The tents were struck, and on the beach men moved, loading up the canoes. Dick stared, rubbing both his eyes. Was Tempest dead, or was he on his feet again; or, knowing the end in store for him, did he want to go nearer the haunts of men to die? There were three men only moving on the beach, and not any of those three were Tempest. Dick shut his eyes; standing still, and struggling fiercely for control over himself. He must go and see. He must go. Suddenly he laughed a little. That Power which he had made a jest of was having its money's worth out of him now. Then he set his teeth and walked straight through the dismantled camp and up to the canoe which held Tempest.
Tempest was lying quite flat in the bottom, and the lines on his face showed physical pain. But he looked up, smiling.
"You nearly arranged for me to go home feet first," he said. "Where did you learn that counter, you beggar?"
"Is your back broken?" demanded Dick.
"No." Tempest smiled again. "You've given me a pretty nasty rick, though. I won't be much use for some days. You'll have to make Ducane work now, Dick. I guess I won't be the only one to suffer over this."
Dick had heard the first word only. Against his will, against his knowledge, sobs were shaking his body and his eyes burnt with hot tears. He turned away sharply, and went up the beach, seeking mechanically for some of the freight to carry to the canoe. Here he stumbled against Ducane, and Ducane caught hold of his tunic, complaining fretfully.
"This is a nice thing," he said. "Does Tempest expect that I'm going to take his place, I'd like to know? I'm not fit. How can I"
For the first time this morning nature offered some relief to Dick.
"Oh, go to hell," he said savagely. And then he laughed in sudden exultation. For he himself had just come out of it.
