"Mr. 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." "Now, that is very curious," said Plinny; "for the gentleman told me he had borrowed Harry's boat without being observed." "I--I beg your pardon, ma'am!" Captain Branscome stared about him. "A gentleman, did you say?" "Yes, and such distinguished manners! He left a message for you--and, dear me, you should have heard how he praised my coffee!" CHAPTER XXVIII. THE MASTER OF THE ISLAND. But here, as Captain Branscome leaned back and caught feebly at the main rigging for support, there appeared above the after companion (like a cognisance above an escutcheon) a bent fore-arm, the hand grasping a beaver hat. It was presently followed by the head of Miss Belcher, who nodded cheerfully, blinking a little in the level light of the sunset. "Hallo!" said she, addressing Plinny, while she adjusted the hat upon her brow. "Have you been telling the Captain about our visitor?" "Miss Plinlimmon, ma'am, has given me a shock, and I won't deny it," answered the Captain, recovering himself. Miss Belcher continued to nod like a china mandarin. "I don't wonder," she agreed. "For my part, you might have knocked me down with a feather. The fellow came down the creek, cool as you please, and pulling a nice easy stroke, in Harry's cockboat. Where is Harry, by the way?"--her eyes lit and fastened upon me-- "Good Lord! what have you been doing to the child?" "Nothing, ma'am. He has been exploring, and lost his way; that's all."