The two were apparently talking earnestly, and,
occasionally Mr. Blowitz could be seen to be gesticulating violently.
"He's mad about something," declared Ned.
"It does look so," agreed Rose.
All at once the boys saw Blowitz take a step toward the other man, who
retreated, as if afraid. Blowitz raised his hand as though to give a
blow.
"Look out!" cried Ned involuntarily, as if the man could hear him.
"You'll go over the cliff!"
With a quick motion he turned the boat, steering toward the foot of
the rock, above which the men stood.
At that instant a black cloud came over the moon and the scene was
plunged in darkness. It was just as if it had been blotted out, and a
murmur of surprise, at the suddenness of it, came from those in the
Ripper.
At the same instant a cry rang out-- a man's cry-- and it seemed to be
one for help.
CHAPTER XX
BLOWITZ IS ANGRY
"QUICK!" called Jerry. "Put us over there, Ned!"
"I will! Something has happened. I wonder--"
"Oh, why doesn't the moon come out from behind that cloud," exclaimed
Rose, for she and the other girls were nervously afraid.
"Maybe they have both toppled over the cliff," suggested Nellie.
"More likely only one of them did," said Bob. "I only heard one cry.
What's the matter, Ned?"
"Something's gone wrong with the engine."
"Here, let me have a look," called Jerry, and he went to the cockpit.
There was a lantern aboard, and, by the light of it, Jerry saw that
one of the battery wires, leading to a spark plug, had become
loosened, breaking the circuit, and preventing the gas from exploding
in the cylinders.
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