He flexed the fingers that held Cathy's arms penned to her waist and Cathy trembled at the feel of his huge chest pressed against her back. He had the strength to do it, without a doubt. But she couldn't give up. . . .

"I'm not lying, Big Jim," she whispered urgently."My father. ..."

"Even if you're notlyin ', wench, your fatherain't here, is he?" Cathy had to forlornly shake her head. Big Jim looked sad. "I didn't think so. Then we gotnothin ' to talk about, do we?"

"Big Jim. . . ." Cathy began desperately, only to be silenced by his impatient snort.

"What you so scared about, anyway? These fellowsain'tgonna hurt you none. They just want a little fun for tonight, and tomorrow they'll let you go about your business as nice as you please.O'course , you might be a little sore, but that don't matter to the likes of you."

Cathy wanted to scream, to cry,to laugh hysterically. Apparently he thought she was of the same type as the women who worked for him! Oh, G.o.d, this was out of the frying pan and into the fire-with a vengeance! But she wouldn't make it easy for them, she vowed. She would fight. . . .

The two men who were arguing the loudest about which of them had seen her first suddenly jumped to their feet, knives flashing. Before they could fall on each other, Big Jim's meaty fist crashed down hard on the bar beside Cathy, making her start nervously.

"Hold!" he bellowed. "There's to be n.o.bloodlettin ' in here! I say every man who wants the wench should roll for her!"

"Aye!Aye! We'll roll for her!" The suggestion was enthusiastically embraced by all. Cathy was frightened as well as bewildered.Roll for her? What in the name of heaven-or should she say h.e.l.l-was that? She was enlightened seconds later.

'Who's got some dice? All right, high roller gets first turn, second roller next, and so on.That agreeable?" The men boisterously indicated their approval. "In case of a tie, the winners roll again.Right?"

"Right!"

The men gathered around a large round table in the center of the room. One of them produced a pair of dice from his pocket. Another looked back over his shoulder at Cathy, his eyes glistening appreciatively.

"Bring the prize!" he roared suddenly. Cathy blanched.

"Yeah, put her in the middle of the tableso's we can see what we're gaming for!"

Two men crossed the room eagerly to grab Cathy away from Big Jim. He let her go without a murmur. Cathy kicked and clawed in a frenzy of fear as she was carried bodily across toward where the rest of the men had gathered in a tight little circle about the table. The man who was holding her under her armpits took advantage of his position to squeeze her bare breast painfully. Oh, G.o.d, this couldn't be happening! She bit savagely at his arm. He cursed, almost dropping her. The man holding her feet chortled at his companion's pain. Cathy tried to kick him, but he was holding her about her ankles and she couldn't get free. When they set her on her feet at last, the man she had bitten drew back his arm and deliberately slapped her across the face. The blow was so hard that Cathy reeled backwards. Another man caught her, grinning, and ran his hands over her body intimately. Cathy kicked him in the shin. He howled, grabbing the injured place. Before he could retaliate, Cathy was grabbed from behind and swung off her feet.

"Tie the b.i.t.c.h up!" the bitten man growled. His companions needed no urging. Before Cathy quite knew what was happening, she was hoisted to the center of the table, and her hands were tied tightly behind her back. She tried to kick at her tormentors only to have her ankles bound too. For good measure they even pa.s.sed a rope around her waist securing it to ameathook high overhead. Cathy was completely immobilized, and unable to help herself in any way. The only thing shecoulddo was express her terror and rage with her tongue.

"You filthy pigs, you'll answer for this!" shescreamed, her voice shaking. "If you don't let me go . . . !"

Her words were choked off abruptly, as a grimy rag was thrust into her mouth. Cathy gagged and spat, but she couldn't rid herself of it. G.o.d, she was suffocating! But that would be preferable to the fate these animals had planned for her. Through a haze of shame and horror she felt her shirt being ripped completely off.

Cathy's knees threatened to give way as she stared down at the leering circle of men. She couldn't faint! Then she would be completely at their mercy. Grimly, she forced herself to breathe deeply through her nose. After a moment she felt her strength returning. The man she had bitten reached both hands up to pinch hurtfully at her bare nipples. Cathy cringed in pain and fear.

"Hey, Billy, thatain't fair! Yougotta wait your turn like the rest of us," one of the men protested. The man called Billy dropped his hands reluctantly. Cathy tried her best to shield her body from their devouring gazes, but it was impossible. She was forced to stand, gagged and bound, in the center of that table, surrounded by drooling men whose eyes feasted on her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Summoning the last reserves of her will, Cathy stiffened her spine, standing straight and glaring at them ferociously.

"h.e.l.l, what're wewaitin ' for? Let's get on with it!" Billy said impatiently. A man grabbed the dice, shook them with intense concentration, and released them to roll across the table. They came to rest at Cathy's feet. With a tremendous effort she jerked both her feet against the dice, sending them flying to the floor.

"G.o.d, it was a ten!" the man who had cast the dice mourned, while Billy jumped up on the table beside Cathy. He made her wait as he very slowly drew his arm back. The blow, when it landed, snapped her head back on her neck. She straightened slowly, tears starting in her eyes. Her jaw throbbed with a strange, burning numbness. She was afraid it was broken.

'Try that again,b.i.t.c.h, and I'll take my knife to you," he growled. "You won't be sopurty with a slit nose!"

Cathy had enough sense to realize that he meant it. He was a man who enjoyed inflicting pain on others, especially women. It made him feel good.

The game began again at Cathy's feet. This time she ignored it, staring with intense concentration at the smoky lantern that hung from the ceiling.

"Oh, G.o.d, please help me," she prayed desperately. A tear coursed helplessly down her cheek. Her jaw ached badly, she was mortally ashamed by her nakedness, and, looking at the repulsive men below her, she was conscious of a shaft of mortal fear. Was there to be no escape from these animals? She would welcome the devil himself if he would set her free!

"Is this an open game, gentlemen?"

Cathy's head swung around disbelievingly at the velvet drawl. Jon!Thank you, G.o.d, she thought fervently, not caring about the incongruity of seeing Jon as her deliverer. Her eyes met his with joyous relief, but he looked back at her warningly before ignoring her and walking over to the crowd of men. Cathy suddenly realized that her rescue was very far from being a sure thing. Jon was alone, armed with only one visible pistol, while there were at least a dozen, all armed to the teeth. Still, just the fact of his presence made her feel very muchbetter, she believed that no harm would come to her while he was there to prevent it.

The men turned, as a body, to stare at Jon as he approached them.

"Who the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l are you?" Billy demanded suspiciously, his bushy brows coming together in a menacing frown.

"Name's Jon Hale.I'm captain of the 'Margarita,' anch.o.r.ed yonder in the bay. Big Jim knows me, don't you, Jim?" Jon's tone was easy, but his eyes never left Billy's.

"Yup," the barkeepagreed, his brow furrowing. "We don't see you in here much any more, Captain. What brings you tonight?"

"I was on my way to visit a certain lady when I heard all the commotion. My curiosity was piqued. Now that I've seen the cause-she's certainly worth the noise. Does she belong to any of you gentlemen in particular?"

Cathy glared at Jon with unfeigned viciousness as his eyes ran over her insolently, lingering with languid appreciation on rosy peaks that quivered at him as she drew an outraged breath. His glance just touched on her swollen jaw before moving away, but the sudden glitter in his eyes rea.s.sured her. She had known him long enough to know that it boded ill for someone!

"The wench's what we're gaming for!" a voice explained jovially.

"Ah, I see. Well, then, may I join you?" His voice was very calm. As Cathy knew from experience, that deceptive quietness was a mask for fierce rage.

"Idunno ." Billy sounded dubious. "You weren't here when she came in. I don't see how as it would be fair to let you take a turn."

The others nodded with solemn agreement.

"Suppose I buy one of your turns, then?" Jon proposed. "Say, two hundred dollars to the man who sells me his place. Two hundred dollars will buy a cathouse full of wh.o.r.es!"

"Three hundred and you can have my turn!" a man who hadn't spoken before said.

"Two hundred and fifty."

"Done!"

Money exchanged hands and the game resumed. The first three throwers rolled a three, a five, and a two, respectively. From their curses it was plain that they knew themselves to be out of the running. Throw after throw was made. Billy rolled an eleven, which stood as the throw to beat. Finally it was Jon's turn. Cathy held her breath. What would they do if he didn't win? The possibilities were unthinkable.

Jon picked up the dice, shook them, and let them go almost casually. They landed near Cathy's feet. She had to strain to see them. It looked like ... a five on one, and a six on the other. An eleven!

'We roll again," Billy growled.

He cast the dice and came up with a nine. Jon threw. The onlookers muttered appreciatively. This was more sport than they'd hoped. Another nine!

"Castagain!Billysnarled.

"This could go on all night," Jon answered lightly. "And I for one prefer to get on with more pleasurable matters. Why not let the lady choose her partner?"

"Aye!Let the wench choose!" Those who had lost their chance were eager to prolong the fun. There was nothing Billy could do but agree.

Cathy flinched violently as one of the men clambered onto the table beside her and plucked out the filthy gag. She was running her tongue around her dry mouth when his hand slid familiarly over her b.u.t.tocks, fondling her intimately and giving her a l.u.s.ty pinch. She gave a little choked cry and Jon whirled, his eyes blazing murder.

"Well, wench, which l.u.s.ty stag w.i.l.l.ya have? Both are hot forya , I vow." Big Jim's voice brought Jon back to his senses.

Cathy looked first to Jon, her eyes touching on the lean, handsome face, set hard now with tightly reined anger, and then sliding over his broad shoulders and powerful chest, unfamiliar in their formal dress. As her gaze met his she had to bite back a wry smile. How certain he was of her! His confidence showed in his eyes. Well, he had reason. Much as she would have enjoyed discomforting him by choosing the other, she dared not. This was no time for childish games of vengeance. Jon was risking his neck to save her, and she was suddenly conscious of a weak desire to be held tightly in those strong arms. Devil that he was,he spelled safety to her now. He was her only security in a very insecure world.

She barely glanced at Billy. He held his arms up to her as though to lift herdown, and she shuddered away. The light from the lantern fell on his outstretched hand, the bite mark she had made a livid circle around the thumb. Jon's eyes went swiftly from the wound to Cathy's injured jaw, and flushes of angry color stood out on his cheekbones. "Choose, wench!"

Cathy swallowed."Ichoose him," she said clearly, nodding at Jon. The men roared their approval, clapping Jon on the back and making lewd jokes at Billy's expense. Jon responded in kind to the quips, some of his remarks putting Cathy to the blush. But his hands were gentle as his knife cut through her bonds. At the tenderness of his touch Cathy felt an overwhelming surge of warmth for him. He could have been killed as a result of her willfulness. She knew that had he lost, he would have fought to the death to protect her. The knowledge brought a lump to her throat. When her legs and arms were free, she held out her arms to him wordlessly. He reached up to lift her down, catching her around the waist and swinging her as lightly asa thistledown to the floor. With a quick movement he shed his coat, wrapping it around her shoulders to cover her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His arm stayed loosely around her waist as he ushered her toward the door.

"Hold, there, Captain!"Billy cried, watching the two with obvious hostility. 'Where do you think you're go-ing?

"My friend, if you don't know without me telling you,Ipity the women of this town. They're in for some mighty poor sport," Jon answered lazily, turning to face the man as he spoke. The onlookers guffawed. Billy flushed a mottled purple.

"You can't take the wench away, Captain," Big Jim told Jon in an aside from behind the bar.

"Nah, she stays!" another of the men cried.

"How is this?" Jon's voice was deceptively cool. He pushed Cathy casually behind him, and she felt her heart quake."Iwon her in fair play, didn'tI?"

That s true enough, someone chortled. But you didn'twaittohear the rulesofthe game! You didn'twin her outright! You just sort of rented her for a while. Then she goestoBilly, then to Joe, thentoHarper, and so on. Wewas justplayin ' for first turn on her,ya see!"

Cathy could see the muscles of Jon's back tighten beneath his thin shirt. She looked at him anxiously. From her place behind him she could just make out the granite set of his jaw as he looked over the a.s.sembled men. Two of them had sidled over to block the exit. Cathy's hand went to curl instinctively about Jon's hard forearm. He didn't respond, but the others in the room saw and were amused.

"The wench is sure hot for you, Captain. Why don't you take her right here? We'd all like to watch!"

"That's a right good idea, Captain," Billy said. "Then we can be sure that you don't take off with a property that rightly belongs to all of us. If it's privacy you want, I'm sure Big Jim will be glad to move out from behind his bar."

Big Jim nodded his agreement. The men began to finger their knives, grinning at Jon openly. He looked them over for a long moment, and beneath her hand Cathy could feel his muscles tensing like a tiger's for the spring. But then he shrugged and said easily, "With a wench like this, I could bed her in the mud and think myself between the softest sheets."

The men snickered. Jon swung around, pulling Cathy into his arms. His back was turned to the room and his broad shoulders protected her from the sight of the men. He bent down to nuzzle her neck l.u.s.tily, then whispered in her ear, 'When I give the word, run as hard as you can. There's a constabulary about half a mile to the west. Tell them who you are and what's happened. They'll send you safely back to your father."

Cathy's eyes widened endlessly. Why should he actually be helping her to get away from him-unless he thought he would no longer be around to enjoy her?

"What about you?" she whispered tremulously.

"Worried about me, little cat?"The corners of his lips lifted in the ghost of a mocking grin. "Don't be. I've managed to take care of myself quite well for years. Now, enough talk. Just do as I say. Understand?"

Cathy's eyes met his wonderingly, and what she saw in the gray depths melted the hard little core of defiance that had knotted her belly ever since he had first taken her.

"Yes, Jon," she whispered.

"That's my girl," he murmured in her ear,then his hands were molding her to him as his mouth found hers in a pa.s.sionate kiss, much to the delight of the guffawing onlookers.

Cathy's mouth returned the sweet pressure, opening to him endlessly with no thought of denial. Her arms clung tightly around his neck. She felt bereft when he suddenly let her go.

"Now!" he hissed, whirling to take a punch at the men who guarded the door. Caught by surprise, one crashed to the ground, leaving just enough room for Cathy to slip past and out into the street. Her last frightened glimpse of Jon showed him reeling beneath the blow of ahamlike fist as the rest of the men closed on him angrily.

Cathy flew down the street followed by the outraged bellowing of the men in the saloon as they realized that she had escaped. The sharp pop of a pistol cracked like a whip behind her. She ran as she had never run before in her life, lungs aching as she labored for air. But she didn't head west for the constabulary. She ran for the "Margarita," and help.

Six.

"He is lucky to still be alive," Dr. Sandoz grunted, stepping back from the bunk. His eyes ran over Jon's unconscious body, pale and corpse-like in the flickering candlelight of the ship's cabin. "If he were not so strong a man, the loss of this much blood would already have killed him. As it is, he is very weak, and his temperature is high. We may still lose him."

Cathy bit down hard on her trembling lower lip. Jon mustn't die, he mustn't! Especially not as a result of rescuing her from the consequences of her own willfulness! She would never forgive herself. Oh, G.o.d, why had she ever been so foolish as to try to escape to a strange city where she had no friends? She had known he would come after her, and had secretly relished the thought. She had wanted to teach him a lesson. . . . And she had killed him instead! If only she could have brought Harry and the men back faster, before Jon was stabbed- and stabbed-and stabbed. . . .

"Young woman, are you listening to me?" Dr. San-doz'svoice broke impatiently into her thoughts. "I am a busy man, with many patients left waiting. I do not have time to waste while you day-dream."

Cathy flushed, and started to reply sharply. She was still not accustomed to being spoken to so harshly. But she remembered how totally dependent Jon was on this man's skill, and held her tongue. If the doctor could save him, then she would let the doctor speak to her any way he wished.

"I'm sorry, doctor. What were you saying?" Cathy's tone was meek.

"He is going to need constant care for the next several days-maybe even weeks. His recovery depends on two things: his reaction to the high fever that is setting in, and whether or not his wounds become infected. The dressings must be changed every four hours, from now until I tell you otherwise, and the wounds themselves must be sprinkled with a powder I'll leave with you. And he must also take one of these pills each day" the doctor said, holding up a small, gla.s.s vial. "Not to follow these instructions would be the same thing as shooting him here and now. Can I rely on you to be his nurse?"

His stern, dark eyes fixed on Cathy. She noddedfer-vently .

"Yes, doctor.Of course."

"You can rely on the crew, too, Dr. Sandoz," Harry broke in coldly from the foot of the bunk. "We'll take it in shifts to nurse him. This-lady-has already done enough!"

"I'm going to nurse him!" Cathy glared at Harry, who scowled back at her. "And I'll make a far better job of it than you and your filthy sailors would, you insufferable little prig! If you had only listened to what I was telling you, instead of trying to drag me back aboard the 'Margarita' when I kept saying that Jon needed help, you might have been able to get there in time to keep him from being hurt!"

"Cap'nset us all to looking for you," Harry retorted, stung. "How was I to know you were telling the truth? I thought you were trying to trick me into letting you go! Besides, if you hadn't crawled out the d.a.m.ned windowleaving a trail that a blind man could see, you'd be long gone by now and we'd all be happier!And the captain. . . "

"That is enough!" Dr. Sandoz broke in, his eyes flashing from one to the other. "The rights and wrongs of the situation do not concern me! If you are going to quarrel like children, I will leave now, and not return. Aid Captain Hale will almost certainly die."

Cathy and Harry exchanged sullen looks, and apologized to the doctor.

"Very well," he said at last. "Young woman, I am making Captain Hale's care your responsibility. I have found that females, through their gentler natures, tend to make better nurses than men. You," he said, looking at Harry, "can see to it that she is relieved from time to time. I take it that you are in charge of this ship during the captain's disability?"

Harry nodded wordlessly.

"Bien!"Dr. Sandoz smiled at them both. "Now, young woman. . . ." He proceeded to give Cathy detailed instructions on Jon's care.

"I'll be watching you," Harry said fiercely to Cathy after Dr. Sandoz had gone, leaving behind the promised pills and powder. "And I'm warning you now, that if Jon dies and there is even the remotest possibility that you did or did not do something to cause it, I'll hang you from the highest yardarm.Lady or no lady. Understand?"

"Oh, go to the devil!" Cathy replied rudely, and was about to enlarge on this theme when a m.u.f.fled groan from the cause of their quarrel brought her attention back around to him.

"Jon?" Cathy asked anxiously, leaning over the bunk and placing one hand on his dark forehead to see if it felt feverish. It did.

"Captain?"Harry said at the same time.

Jon moaned and tossed, his long body thrashing from side to side beneath the piled quilts.