AS Hope watched her brother plunge into the sea on the other side of the rocks, she felt forsaken indeed.
She turned landwards, and dragged her heavy soaking clothes after her through the surf, till she stood once more beside the frightened group.
"Wilmot sent you all a message," she said sadly; "and before we get more anxious I will give it to you. I wish we all understood more about it."
"Take of some of your wet things, dear Hope," said Nellie, who had been already wringing her dress. "Can we not each contribute some dry garment; we should not miss it, and it is dreadful for you to wait two or three hours in this state."
"I am not the least cold," said Hope; "and I will walk about. No, dear, I can't change, it would be such a fuss; and I am so anxious."
Nellie did not press her further, and Hope drew them back against the cliffs.
"This is Wilmot's message: He told us to pray; and he said, 'Tell them Christ is able to save to the uttermost.'"
The young faces all turned towards her, and Hope felt bitterly that she knew not how to comfort them.
"Shall we pray?" she asked.
They knelt down on the sand, and Hope buried her face in her hands; but there was silence, interrupted only by Maude's and the little ones' sobs.