Page:Cornelia Meigs--The island of Appledore.djvu/69

Rh break them as he clambered down to a lower level. It was not easy climbing and he had to watch his footing carefully. Once below he reached up to get the binoculars down,  failed to touch them and reached again. Still the rock was bare to his hand so he scrambled  up to see what was the matter. The ledge was empty, they were gone!

Billy had a sudden feeling that it would be pleasant to rejoin Captain Saulsby and his  Aunt as soon as it was possible. He was not afraid but—well such things were queer. There was something warmly comforting about the old sailor’s hearty laugh as it came  drifting back to him. He hurried quickly after the two with the unpleasant feeling that  a pair of peering black eyes were watching  him from somewhere as he passed along.

Miss Pearson had elected not to meet the Josephine when she came to port, but had  turned aside to go down to the steamboat landing. She was going to Boston by the afternoon boat and had just heard the whistle calling her on board. She waved good-bye to Billy but motioned him to follow the Captain,  who was trudging on alone. Billy would have come down to see her off, none the less,