“What is it?” Ruth cried.
“It’s a signal gun,” Heavy said, rather weakly.
“A ship in distress,” explained Miss Kate, and her tone hushed their clamor.
A third time the report sounded. The dining room door opened and the butler entered.
“What is it, Maxwell?” asked Miss Kate.
“A ship on the Second Reef, Miss,” he said hurriedly. “She was sighted just before dark, driving in. But it was plain that she was helpless, and had gone broadside on to the rock. She’ll break up before morning, the fishermen say. It will be an awful wreck, ma’am, for there is no chance of the sea going down.”
CHAPTER VIII
THE LIFEBOAT IS LAUNCHED
The announcement quelled all the jollity of the party on the instant. Heavy even lost interest in the sweetmeats before her.
“Goodness me! what a terrible thing,” cried Helen Cameron. “A ship on the rocks!”