Rogers," the Captain interrupted, "we had best get back to the
_Espriella_ with all speed. I may tell you, Harry, that we never
went up by the waterfalls at all. It was a climb, and my half-pay
leg didn't like the look of it. But, jump into your boat, boy, and
pull ahead of us. You and I must do a little serious talking later
on."
We pulled back briskly for the _Espriella_ and reached her just as
she began to swing with the turn of the tide. As we drew close--the
cockboat leading--I glanced over my shoulder and spied Plinny leaning
against the bulwarks by the starboard quarter, in the attitude of one
gently enjoying the sunset scene; but at the sight of my torn shirt
all her composure left her, and she came running to the accommodation
ladder, where she met me with a string of agitated questions.
"Excuse me, ma'am," said Captain Branscome, as the dinghy fell
alongside and he climbed on deck. "I have no wish to alarm you, and,
indeed, there may be no cause at all for alarm. But Harry has
brought us some serious news. He reports that there is a man--a
stranger--on the Island."
"How could Harry have known?" was Plinny's unexpected response.
"He is confident that he saw a man, somewhat more than an hour since,
standing at the head of the creek.
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