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can breathe all right. I wish she would do something."

      At last, finding he could keep up with his companions without trouble, and knowing he would have very little difficulty in overtaking them, Gage drew in his oars and slipped back toward the muffled figure in the stern.

      "Elsie," he said, softly.

      No answer; no move.

      "Miss Bellwood."

      Still no answer.

      "You must not think too hard of me, Miss Bellwood," he said, pleadingly. "I would not harm you for anything. I love you far too much for that, Elsie."

      He could have sworn that the sound which came from the muffling folds of the coat was like a smothered laugh, but he knew she was not laughing at him.

      "I have been wicked and desperate," he went on; "but I was driven to the life I have led. Fate has been against me all along. When I shipped on your father's vessel it was because I had seen you and knew you were to be along on the cruise. I loved you at first sight, and I vowed that I would reform and do better if you loved me in return, Elsie."

      He was speaking swiftly in a low tone, and his voice betrayed his earnestness. He passed an arm around the muffled figure, feeling it quiver within his grasp, and then he continued:

      "You did not take kindly to me, but I persisted. Then you repulsed me—told me you despised me, and that made me desperate. I swore I would have you, Elsie. Then came the mutiny and the burning of the vessel. Now we are here, and you are with me. Elsie, you know not how I love you! I have become an outcast, an outlaw—all for your sake! Elsie, dear Elsie! can't you learn to love me? I will do anything for you—anything!"

      Again a sound came from beneath the coat. He was sure she was sobbing. It must be that he was beginning to break down that icy barrier. She realized her position, and she would be reasonable.

      "Elsie—little sweetheart!"

      He began to remove the muffling coat.

      "Do not scream, Elsie—do not draw away, darling. Say that you will love me a little—just a little!"

      He pulled the coat away, and something came out of the folds and touched cold and chilling against his forehead.

      It was the muzzle of a revolver!

      "Keep still!" commanded a voice that was full of chuckling laughter. "If you chirp, I'll have to blow the roof of your head off, Gage!"

      Leslie Gage caught his breath and nearly collapsed into the bottom of the boat. Indeed, he would have fallen had not a strong hand fastened on his collar and held him.

      It was not Elsie Bellwood!

      "I don't want to shoot you, Gage," whispered the cool voice. "I don't feel like that, even though you did attempt to take my life once or twice in the past. You have made me very good natured within the past few moments. How you did love me! How gently you murmured, 'Do not draw away, darling; say that you love me a little—just a little!' Ha! ha! ha! Really, Gage, you gave me such amusement that I am more than satisfied with this little adventure."

      "That voice—I know it!" grated Gage, through set teeth. "Still, I can't place you."

      "Indeed, you are forgetful, Gage. But it is rather dark, and I don't suppose you expected to see me here. We last met at Fardale."

      "Fardale?"

      "Yes."

      "And you are—Frank Merriwell!"

      Gage would have shouted the name in his amazement, but Frank's fingers suddenly closed on the fellow's throat and held back the sound in a great measure.

      "Now you have guessed it," chuckled Frank. "Oh, Gage! I can forgive you for the past since you have provided me with so much amusement to-night. How you urged me to learn to love you! But that's too much, Gage; I can never learn to do that."

      Leslie ground his teeth, but he was still overcome with unutterable amazement and wonder. That Frank Merriwell, whom he hated, should appear there at night in the wilds of the Florida Everglades was like a miracle.

      What had become of Elsie Bellwood? Had some magic of that wild and dreary region changed her into Frank Merriwell?

      Little wonder that Gage was dazed and helpless.

      "How in the name of the Evil One did you come here?" he finally asked, recovering slightly from his stupor.

      Frank laughed softly once more. It was the same old merry, boyish laugh that Gage had heard so often at Fardale, and it filled him with intense anger, as it had in the days of old.

      "I know you did not expect to see me," murmured Frank, still laughing. "I assure you that the Evil One had nothing to do with my appearance here."

      "It was trickery—magic! I left her in the boat a few moments. What became of her? How did you take her place?"

      "I will let you speculate over that question for a while, my fine fellow. In the meantime, I fancy it will be a good idea to tie you up so you will not make any trouble. Remember I have a revolver handy, and I promise that I'll use it if you kick up a row."

      At this moment, one of the sailors in the other boat called:

      "Hello, there, Mr. Gage! where are you?"

      CHAPTER XXXIII.

       GAGE TAKES A TURN

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      Gage was tempted to shout for help, but the muzzle of the cold weapon that touched his forehead froze his tongue to silence.

      "Hello! Ahoy, there, cap'n! Where are you?"

      Ben Bowsprit was growing impatient and wondering why Leslie did not answer. It had occurred to the old tar that it was possible the boy had deserted them.

      The voice of Black Tom was heard to say:

      "He oughter be right near by us, Ben. 'Smighty strange dat feller don' seem to answer nohow."

      "Shiver my timbers!" roared Bowsprit. "We'll pull back, my hearty, and take a look for our gay cap'n."

      They were coming back, and Gage was still unbound, although a captive in Frank Merriwell's clutch.

      Frank thought swiftly. There would not be enough time to bind Gage and get away. Something must be done to prevent the two sailors from turning about and rowing back.

      "Gage," whispered Frank, swiftly, "you must answer them. Say, it's all right, boys; I'm coming right along."

      Gage hesitated, the longing to shout for help again grasping him.

      "Do as I told you!" hissed Frank, and the muzzle of the revolver seemed to bore into Gage's forehead, as if the bullet longed to seek his brain.

      With a mental curse on the black luck, Gage uttered the words as his captor had ordered, although they seemed to come chokingly from his throat.

      "Well, what are ye doing back there so long?" demanded Bowsprit.

      "Tell them you're making love," chuckled Frank, who seemed to be hugely enjoying the affair, to the unspeakable rage of his captive. "Ask them if they don't intend to give you a show at all."

      Gage did as directed, causing Bowsprit to laugh hoarsely.

      "Oh, you're a sly dog!" cackled the old sailor, in the darkness. "But this is a poor time to spend in love-makin', cap'n. Wait till we git settled down ag'in. Tom an' me'll agree not ter watch ye."

      "Say, all right; go on," instructed Frank, and Gage did so.

      In a few seconds, the sound of oars were heard, indicating that the sailors were obeying instructions.

      At that moment, while Frank was listening to this sound, Gage believed his opportunity had arrived, and, being utterly desperate, the young

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