Penny had been listening so intently that she completely forgot Bones.
The dog tugged hard at the leash which slipped from the girl’s hand. She scrambled for it, only to have Bones elude her and dart into the underbrush.
From the boat, Louise saw her pet escaping. Fearful that he would be lost, she called shrilly: “Bones! Bones! Come back here!”
The dog paid no heed. But Louise’s cry had carried far and served to warn those inland that someone had landed on the point.
A moment of dead silence ensued. Then Penny heard one of the men demand sharply: “What was that?”
Waiting for no more, she backtracked toward the boat. Before she could reach it, the bushes behind her parted.
A tall, square-shouldered man whose jaw was covered with a jungle growth of red beard, peered out at her. He wore a wide-brimmed, floppy, felt hat and loose fitting work clothes with sturdy boots.
His eyes, fierce and hostile, fastened directly upon Penny.
“Git!” he said harshly.
Penny retreated a step, then held her ground.