Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/213

Rh higher as the wind and tide rose together, and the call of Appledore sounded deep and loud  through all the growing tumult. Long ago Sally Shute had been dragged away to her bed,  protesting loudly, but led by a determined mother, Johann Happs had wandered aimlessly off in the direction of his little house, so  that only Billy and Captain Saulsby were left  still sitting on the sand. The old man could not be persuaded to go home, nor would Billy  leave him. After some time Johann reappeared again, coming silently out of the dark and seating himself beside them without a  word. The three said very little for a time, as the Captain’s thoughts seemed to be busy with  the past, Johann’s to be bent on the problem  of his future, while Billy’s whirling wits were  trying to cope with the present. Where was the yacht? What was she doing? Were German eyes still fixed upon their fires in the  dark? Would morning bring some bigger adventure, or would it show an empty harbour and that victory was with the watchers of Appledore?

The night wore past, the blackness faded to grey, by slow, slow creeping hours the morning came. Captain Saulsby seemed to know