The Tidal Wave and Other Stories

e of sky and sea, rowed the stranger with great, swinging strokes through the fishing fleet right out into the burning spl

he passed his father by with no more than a jerk of the head, which Adam evidently in

fus before; but now, seated facing him, with the giant muscles and grim, unresponsive countenance

ful, with a bull-like strength that every swing of the oars brought into prominence. He had not

ain behind that massive forehead. Columbine had declared that the man was an oaf, and he felt inclined to agree with her. And yet there was something in the intensity of the fellow's eyes that held his attention, the possibilit

penetrate the wall of aloofness with which his companion seemed to be surrounded.

to take me straight into the temple of the s

nd him. There came to Knight an odd, wholly unwonted, sensation of smalln

fore, in his deep, resounding voice, he spoke. "They won't be taki

un for my money first, eh?"

red brows that greeted his words. He felt as

accent, as if his mind were concentrated upon being absol

ind this granite calmness of demeanour then. He determined to dr

pleasure trip? Did you bring me out here

e head and shoulders were strongly outlined against it. He had ceased to row, but the boat still shot

e Rufus's voice in answer. "It wasn't to show you anythin

ce that conveyed a sense of danger. A wary gleam shone in his eyes under their level brows. It was one of his principles when dealing

vely, with purpose. "I saw you cross

the most casual quality. He wa

as a loosened rock beginning to roll down a mountain side. "The lig

y. "Or rather-I was with her. Miss Columbin

e's a swell like that. We call it the Death Current hereabouts, because there's nothing could live in it, and the bell always tolls. And once it comes up like that the way to the cliff-path is under water in less than thirty seconds. And the quicksand is the only chance left." He paused; it was as if

of giving it expression. He had uttered the girl's name with no more emotion than that of his father, but it seemed to Knight that by that very fact he had managed to convey a warning more potent than any that h

remarked. "If you and Adam have been her ins

ared to be engrossed in watching the progress of the boat as she drifted gently on the rising tide

n the fool Columbine believed him to be after all? He determin

said, with an easy smile. "But I hope you are all too large-minded

hich they had travelled. They were turned upon Knight's face, searching, piercing, intent. Before he s

thing I have to

ncouragingly. "By all mean

n the shore and picked up and put in your pocket. You speak as if she's your property to do what you like

s hands were suddenly locked

could help making love to a girl with a face like that? It would take a heart of stone to resist it. Why, even you"-and his look challenged Rufus with careless d

ous malice of the mischievous schoolboy. He had no particular gr

tified. Rufus met the thrust with

that matters. And I tell you straight"-a blue flame suddenly leapt up like a volcanic light in the

areless laugh. "And who told you, most

e action of a crouching beast. "No one told me," he s

scent," he observed. "But you seem to be enjoying it." He paused to take out

tude was one of strain, as if he barely held hi

led and closed his cigarette case. Then with the utmost deliberatio

e practically free from the physical element, certainly independent of it. I am taking you out of your depth, I know, but it is hard to make myself clear to an untrained mind. I might try a homely simile and suggest to you that you go a-fishing, not for love of the fish, but because it is your profession; but that does not wholly illustrate my meaning, for I love everything in the way of beauty that comes my way. I follow beauty like a guiding star. And sometimes-but seldom, oh, very seldom"-a sudden odd thrill sounded in his voice as if by accident some hidden string had been struck and set vibrating-"I fulfil my desire

obvious enjoyment, he sent forth another clou

isherman had been. His nonchalant explanation was plainly all-sufficing in his own opinion, and during the very marke

tline of the Spear Point looked like the castle of a dream. The haze of the newly risen sun had touched

Then slowly, with massive deliberation, he moved, unshipped the oars, and bent himself to pull. In another ten seconds the boat was rushin

hour later that Knight, having finishe

f a conversation, "until my picture is painted I remain the slave of my

held a laughing challenge, the easy challenge of the prac

an impenetrable wall of unresponsiveness. His gaze was once more obscure and bovine. All hint of violence was gone from hi

e of Columbine," he said slowly

icked some ash from his sleeve with the complace