THE CAPTURE OF LINK MERWELL
"Where did that cry come from, Dave?"
"I think it came from the top of the cliff, Phil. Listen! there it goes again."
Both boys strained their ears once more, and now heard another voice, heavy and threatening.
"Leave this place! Leave at once, I command you! No one has any right to disturb me!"
"Don't hit me, I'll go!" returned the one who had first spoken, and a few seconds later he came into view at the edge of the cliff.
"Hello, it's Link Merwell!" burst out Dave, in amazement.
"Yes, and see, that wild man is after him!" added the shipowner's son.
He was right. Following closely upon the appearance of Link Merwell the boys at the foot of the cliff had seen some brushwood thrust aside, and now appeared the strange fellow who had so frightened the girls some time previously. He was dressed up more fantastically than ever, and had his face smeared with red and yellow. Over his shoulder, suspended by a strap, he carried an old-fashioned fowling piece, and in his hands was a heavy club.
"Go away from here! Go away, I say, and never come back!" cried the strange individual, dancing around wildly and flourishing his club close to Link Merwell's head.