Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/208

188 against his country and that of all the  friends I loved, why then I could not go. I jumped overboard and swam ashore; this little girl’s brave voice showed me the way; this boy’s quick wit prevented my enemies from  following me, and here I am.”

So absorbed had Billy been, that it was not until Sally nudged him, that he observed the  last addition to Johann’s group of listeners. Then he saw a little, bedraggled man, hatless and blackened with the charcoal of the fires  they had been tending. He did not realize who it was until the men about them parted,  leaving the newcomer face to face with Captain Saulsby.

“Harvey Jarreth,” the old sailor said, “are you still trying to pass yourself off as a fit companion for honest men? That friend of yours is out there on the yacht; this boy Johann is  too good to go with him, but you are not. You had better join them out there, Harvey; there is nothing left here for you. No one will ever trust or respect you again; you will  probably be in jail in another hour if you stay. There are plenty of men here will offer you a boat, just to get rid of you. You had better go to your friends, Harvey.”