Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/202

182 It was puzzlingly true that the sound seemed to be moving parallel to the shore and  was beginning to pass them. What was even more bewildering was that suddenly the dipping oars stopped entirely and there came  across the water the sound of low voices, more  than one speaking at a time, as though in  heated argument. The three looked at each other in mystified astonishment.

“I think—” began Sally but never got any further. A voice rose suddenly out of the darkness, a man’s voice, but shouting so loud  and high that it was almost a scream.

“No,” they heard. “No, no, I will not go!”

There arose a tumult of oaths, of confused, angry words; there was a noise of oars cracking together, then a mighty splash. Billy and Sally Shute ran down the beach with Captain  Saulsby vainly trying to follow as quickly.

“I know that voice,” cried Sally, then lifted her own to its utmost strength to call valiantly  through the dark.

“Johann, Johann Happs,” she shouted with all her might, then again, “Johann, Johann;  we are here.”

Something darker than the dark water