"Anyway, we can both have our drinks of water," concluded Dot. "And they say thirst is worse than hunger."
"We'll fill both thermos bottles before we push off," said Linda. "But I'm counting on reaching the Ladybug before noon, and then we ought to get to the Georgia coast by two o'clock."
"Where we eat that dinner!" added Dot.
Carrying their belongings, they walked down to the beach in their rain-soaked clothing, and pushed the boat out towards the water. The ocean was still so high and so rough that Linda hesitated a moment.
"Do you think we can make it?" asked Dot, noticing the expression of doubt on her companion's face.
"Yes, I think so. That island didn't look far, yesterday."
"That's true. But I can't see it now, Linda. Suppose the storm had washed the Ladybug away—or even the whole island?"
Linda shuddered, realizing that there was that possibility. She took the glasses from her pocket, and peered through them in the direction she remembered the island to be.
"I can't see a thing but ocean," she stated. "The waves are so high. But let's go in that direction anyway. It must be there."
She turned to the motor-boat and attempted to start the engine, but for some minutes she labored in vain, for the engine refused to catch. Was everything in the world against them, Dot silently wondered, as she watched Linda repeat her efforts with infinite patience.