"Of course," replied Gwen hastily. "I suppose there is no use standing here watching, and anyone starting now would be quite safe, though it would be hard pulling. Ah, there's Mr. Williams! One at least of our friends is safe. That argues well for the others."
Luther Williams in his sou'wester came up to them. "Miss Phosie told me I should find you here," he said.
Gwen held out both hands. "I am so glad you are safe," she cried. "Were you caught in the storm?"
"I was nearly home," he told her, "just coming into the cove, so I put in there by Jo Thompson's, took shelter in his house, and walked home from there."
"I hope every one else is as well off. Mr. Mitchell and Miss Fuller started for Jagged Island this morning. They haven't come back, and I see no signs of them."
"They're waiting for the sea to smooth down, I suppose. It will after a while. It was a sharp blow while it lasted, but the wind is back in the same old quarter, and they'll probably be coming along pretty soon. Cap'n Ben's boat is out," he added abruptly.
"I know it, oh, I know it," Gwen whispered. "Dear Daddy Lu, can't you do something?"
He patted her shoulder encouragingly. "I'll go up along, and see what can be discovered. I shouldn't be surprised if he had put into Water Cove, if he left Dorr's at all. He was going there sketching to-day, and thought it would be handier to take his traps in a boat than to lug them."
Gwen drew a sigh of relief. "It is a good thing to have met you. Have you seen him lately?"
"Last evening."