“Keep up your firing, Frank,” said Rachel, “for doubtless there are boats out long ere this, looking for what is left of us.”
“Listen!” said Winnie, who, being wonderfully gifted in hearing, had been the first to detect an answering gun. “One, two, three, four. Fire again!” she cried. “They have heard, but are uncertain as to the direction.”
Again the three reports of the gun sounded in quick succession, and soon there was the answer of two guns, which meant, “We hear you now and will soon be with you.”
To Mr Ross’s great relief and satisfaction, it was the boat, manned by four oarsmen, of which he himself had charge that was the first to hear the firing of Frank’s gun. Some of his Indian crew had detected reports before he had, but nothing would satisfy him until the welcome sound fell on his own ears.
“Pull, men!” he fairly shouted, “and let us see how many of those loved ones have survived that storm. If any of them are drowned, you need not take me home.”
Not a man in that boat, white or Indian, needed any urging. Such was the love they all had for those young people that gladly would any one of them have risked his own life for theirs.
Around the next point, now not far away, again rang out the three reports, and soon a most welcome sight greeted the eyes of Mr Ross and his crew. For there, distinctly visible on the shore, were four happy young people waving their welcomes.
“Thank God,” reverently said Mr Ross. “They are all safe.” And, strong man that he was, he wept like a child. Other eyes than his were moist also. With an effort he checked his deep emotion, and was so able to control himself that ere the shore was reached he was calm and collected.
When within hailing distance hearty words of congratulation rapidly passed back and forward. Such was the nature of the shore that a good place where they could step into the boat from the shore was not easily found, and so the men at the oars rowed up on the sandy beach as far as they could, and then, running out three oars, made a walk that answered very well.
Good Mr Ross was so wild with delight at the fact of the preservation of these young folks, whom he loved so well, that he was the first to rush out and try and gather them all in his arms.