Far above them on the bank near the falls and on the other side of the river, stood the crouched-up, animal-like figure of--the "Thing!"
Chapter XXIV
Recovered
The sight was almost too much for the girls. What they felt was sheer animal panic and they wanted to run away--anywhere--just so they put distance enough between them and that figure on the bank.
"Sit still," Betty commanded them, recovering her presence of mind. "That is Professor Dempsey up there, and if we make any sudden sound we are sure of frightening him away."
"But he was killed--we saw it," moaned Amy. "That must be his g-ghost."
"Don't be ridiculous," snapped Mollie, her thoughts working along with Betty's. "You know you don't believe in ghosts."
"But how----" Amy was beginning when Betty interrupted sharply.
"Listen," she said. "I came across an old derelict of a rowboat the other day when we were exploring the upper river, but I didn't say anything to you girls about it because I thought it was too much of a wreck to bother with. For all I know it isn't even water tight--"
"Betty," Mollie broke in excitedly, "I see what you mean! We can row across the upper river to where Professor Dempsey is--Were there oars in the boat?" she broke off to ask.