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THE FIRE-WORSHIPPERS.
85

over to the spot, leaving me to follow as rapidly as the trembling condition of my limbs would permit.

For I am frank to confess that I was shaking like a leaf in the wind, while my heart thumped as it never had before. But my excitement was nothing to my joy. A great weight was lifted from my soul. "Thank God he lives, and that I need not even think he came to his death through any difficulty with me," was the thought which forced itself upon my mind. I did not want the blood of any person on my hands, be he criminal or otherwise.

When we reached the corner we saw only a few business men and natives walking about. A hasty look in the various shops and hallways followed, but nothing more was to be seen of the one-armed sailor.

"Mark, I am afraid you were mistaken," said Oliver gravely.

"No, I was not mistaken," I answered positively. "I saw him and he saw me. He gave me one good look and then dove out of sight around this corner."

"It's a wonder he didn't stop to speak to you," put in Dan. "No doubt he could tell an interesting story of how he escaped. I wonder if he swam to land after falling overboard from the Mariposa?"