"Never say die," replied Anniston grimly, as the gondola drew up alongside, and his jaw set with a determined snap.
The gondoliers recognized Mochanda and instantly pandemonium broke loose. One of them lifted his oar and struck the Jew sharply across the forehead with it. With a smothered groan he collapsed in a limp heap on the raft. Anniston uttered a sulphuric phrase and, maddened beyond control, his face livid and horrible with rage, he sprang onto the gondola. His right hand shot out and one of the Musselmans loosened his hold on his oar to grasp for several teeth which, in some mysterious manner, had emigrated from his mouth. The next moment the American had seized the discarded oar and beat the same kind of a tattoo on the head of the second Musselman as he had on that of Mochanda.
The raft had not drifted away during the scuffle, for it had lasted but a few seconds, and Anniston reached Over and drew the inert form of Mochanda into the boat, at the same time addressing the Musselman with the bleeding mouth.
"We have too many passengers on board," he drawled easily. "I fear I must request you to continue your journey by raft." And suiting the action to the word, he lifted the body of the insensible Musselman onto it. With a look that made the other tremble, he commanded him to follow. Silently the man obeyed, his wicked eyes gleaming with hatred, but not daring to voice his sentiments. Anniston noticed his look and chuckled. "Hatred unspoken can
