Byrne gave a little start as though surprised in some

questionable act.

"I suppose so," he said; "this ain't no place to spend the

night--it's too open. We gotta find a sort o' hiding place if we

can, dat a fellow kin barricade wit something."

Again they took up their seemingly hopeless march--an

aimless wandering in search of they knew not what. Away

from one danger to possible dangers many fold more terrible.

Barbara's heart was very heavy, for again she feared and

mistrusted the mucker.

They followed down the little brook now to where it

emptied into a river and then down the valley beside the river

which grew wider and more turbulent with every mile. Well

past mid-afternoon they came opposite a small, rocky island,

and as Byrne's eyes fell upon it an exclamation of gratification

burst from his lips.

"Jest de place!" he cried. "We orter be able to hide dere

forever."

"But how are we to get there?" asked the girl, looking

fearfully at the turbulent river.

"It ain't deep," Byrne assured her. "Come ahead; I'll carry

yeh acrost," and without waiting for a reply he gathered her

in his arms and started down the bank.

What with the thoughts that had occupied his mind off and

on during the afternoon the sudden and close contact of the

girl's warm young body close to his took Billy Byrne's breath

away, and sent the hot blood coursing through his veins. It

was with the utmost difficulty that he restrained a mad desire

to crush her to him and cover her face with kisses.

And then the fatal thought came to him--why should he

restrain himself? What was this girl to him? Had he not

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