Thrilled by the magic of her clinging touch he would not acknowledge the fearful inroads the long struggle had made on his strength. Now he knew no terror. True, a dizziness would confuse him at times on the heels of the heavier swells, but he clutched the tree and clung till it passed.
"You cannot stand many more," cried the girl fearfully. "Leave me. You can still make the shelter or swim——"
"Hush, Mary!" was the cheery reply. "You would rob me of the happiest moment I have ever known. We'll stick together, dear. We are good for a lot of roughing yet."
"You will not leave me, Ned?"
"Not ever, Mary."
"Ned, dear heart!" was the caressing cry. "This is a wonderful moment. It is worth all the cruelty of these last, long months and the horror of this terrible day. You are the dearest pal."
"Pal?" cried Ned, looking into the dark eyes. "What pals we'll be!"
That they were tortured with the smiting waves and facing death with each succeeding roller, only enhanced the supreme joy of their confession.
"We are going to get out of this all right," said Ned, as he breathed heavily from a battle with a mighty wave. "You hardly think it possible, little one, you have been so broken by this battering storm. But we'll beat it all, water, wind and human guile."
Suddenly he straightened up and placed hand to ear.