Part 13 (2/2)
And he looked upon the Irishman with a sick horror, as if the big fellow were turning into a reptile before his eyes. On the face of Harrigan there was an expression like that of the starving man whom the fear of poison induces to push away food.
”There's no word I can speak to you, McTee. You could never understand.
Go back to the girl. Maybe she'll explain.”
”The girl?”
At the wild hope in that voice Harrigan shuddered, and he could not look up.
”Harrigan, what do you mean?”
”Don't ask me. Leave me alone, McTee.”
”Here's a mystery,” said the Scotchman, ”and our little party is postponed. The date is changed, that's all. Remember!”
He stepped off through the trees in the direction of the shelter on the beach, leaving Harrigan to throw himself upon the ground in a paroxysm of shame and hate.
But McTee, with hope to spur him on--a vague hope; a thought half formed and therefore doubly delightful--went with great strides until he came to Kate where she sat tending the fire. He broke at once into the heart of his question.
”I met Harrigan. He's changed. Something has happened. Tell me what it is. He says you know.”
He crouched close to her, intent and eager, his eyes ready to read a thousand meanings into the very lowering of her lashes; but she let her glance rove past him.
”Well?” he asked impatiently.
”It is hard to speak of it.”
Cold doubt fell upon the captain; he moistened his lips before he spoke.
”Hit straight from the shoulder. There's something between you and the Irishman?”
She dropped a hand over his mighty fist.
”After all, you are our only friend, Angus. Why shouldn't you know?”
He stood up and made a few paces to and fro, his hands locked behind him and his leonine head fallen low.
”Yes, why shouldn't you tell me! I think I understand already.”
All desire to laugh went from her, and deep fear took its place; her eyes were held fascinated upon his interlaced fingers, white under their own terrific pressure; yet she understood that she must go on. If she failed, this mighty force would be turned against Harrigan; and Harrigan, not less grim in battle, as she could guess, would be turned against him.
She said quickly, to conceal her fear: ”I thought there was some trouble between you and Dan. I asked him to promise that he would not fight with you. But I don't need to ask you to promise not to fight with him, for now that you know--”
He leaped up and beat his hands together over his head.
<script>