"Oh, look, look!" cried Ruth excitedly, springing to her feet.
"Sit down," Dick said nervously, "or you'll upset us!"
She obeyed, whilst they both strained their eyes through the gloom, and saw that the light was coming nearer and nearer.
"It's a boat," Dick declared; "yes, I'm certain it's a boat. We shall be saved! Let us shout as loud as ever we can!"
They did so, and were answered immediately; a few minutes later a large boat came alongside, into which Ruth and Dick were carefully lifted by a couple of strong fishermen, whilst Jim Cole's little craft was taken in tow.
"Who's that?" whispered Ruth to Dick, glancing at a third figure seated in the bow; "why, I do believe it's grandfather!"
It was indeed Sir Richard Gidley. He drew his grandchildren towards him, and placed an arm around each.
"Thank God you are both safe," he said gravely, and there was the sound of strong repressed emotion in his deep voice. Until then they had not realised he loved them so well.