Night was coming on apace, and there was not wanting evidence that it would be a stormy one. The swell was rising high out here, the surging seas broke white against the cliff foot, and little angry catspaws were already ruffling the water.
Fred rested on his oars and listened once more.
All was still. The wandering sea-birds wheeled near and shrieked their dismal shriek, but no human sound could the children hear.
Fred himself began to get frightened now. The silence was like the silence of death, and even the voices of the birds had a ghostly ring in them. Was it all over then?
No; for even at that moment Fred's quick ear caught the sound of something moving in the water.
"Look! look!" cried Toddie. "A seal, Fled, coming this way all by his self."
Yes, there was a black head yonder, coming rapidly on towards the boat.
Fred quickly shipped his oars now, and stood by to give assistance; for he soon discovered that the black head was human, the face pale and startled-looking.
Presently the swimmer stopped, and trode water not four yards away from the boat's bow.
"Please were you co-co-coming for m-m-m-me?"