He dropped back again behind the screen of reeds. The canoe drew
nearer. A moment more and it was almost abreast of him, and his
heart pounded like a swiftly beating hammer when he saw Jeanne in
the stern. She was leaning back as though unconscious. He could
see nothing of her face, but as the canoe passed within ten yards
of his hiding-place he saw the dark glow of her disheveled hair,
which fell thickly over the object against which she was resting.
It was but a moment's view, and they were gone. He had not looked
at the three men in the canoe. His whole being was centered upon
Jeanne. He had seen no sign of life--no movement in her body, not
the flutter of a hand, and all his fears leaped like brands of
burning fire into his brain. He thought of the inhuman plot which
Lord Fitzhugh's letter had revealed; in the same breath Pierre
Couchee's words rang in his ears--"It is death--worse than death
--for her--"
Was Jeanne the first victim of that diabolical scheme to awaken
the wrath of the northland? In the madness which possessed him now
Philip shoved out his canoe while there was still danger of
discovery. Fortunately none of the pursued glanced back, and a
turn in the channel soon hid them from view.
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