Miss Randolph’s first inkling that the news had been sent over the country was when the first telegram arrived, one from Philip Van Buskirk, who hoped to get better news before his father and mother should hear the first report. Her immediate reply, one which had to be sent out to more than one address, was: “Greycliff in storm. Hope all is well. Will telegraph.”
Dr. Norris was a strong swimmer, but even he was almost exhausted by the time he brought in two of the girls who had been carried some distance out from the shallow waters in which the Greycliff had been upset. Patty, shivering with cold and nervousness, bravely waded into the waters, watching for the treacherous waves and helped the men draw in the exhausted girls. Jack had appeared but had to be helped in, having broken his left arm as a wave tossed him against the Greycliff. Hilary, Pauline and Juliet had been among those who had at once reached the rope, and after a little rest had been able to help the rest. They busied themselves over Cathalina and Lilian first, for both those girls were almost unconscious by the time they were dragged in by Mickey. Helen and Eloise were among those farthest away on the rope, having clutched it just before a pounding wave upon the Greycliff tore the boat away and left the rope loose upon the water except where the weight of the girls drew it toward the sands.
“Have we got ’em all, Miss West?” asked Mickey as he swept the waters with searching eyes and holding to the rope made ready to go in again.
Miss West had been eagerly keeping count and answered promptly, “Every one at last! What shall we do next, Robert?”
“Get a fire, if we can, or find some shelter first for these girls.” He looked around at the various prone figures and added, “Are all of them coming to?”
“I don’t know about Dorothy Appleton, Dr. Norris,” replied Hilary. “I think she must have been struck by the boat in some way. There is an awful bruise on her forehead. And Eloise is breathing all right now, but she doesn’t seem to come to. We’re trying to keep the rain from them.”
The wind was growing colder since the storm began, and though the rain was not so heavy, the party was in much danger from continued chilling.
“Can we get them around to the cave?” asked Patty.
“We will,” replied Dr. Norris and Mickey with one accord. Most of the girls could walk and the men carried the rest, even Jack helping with his one good arm. It was of some relief to get out of the chill wind which penetrated their drenched garments and sapped what little strength the girls had left. Jack gave up to his suffering when all were once in the cave and Dr. Norris set about making him a little more comfortable, if such a thing were possible. Mickey was exploring and found some matches left by one of the picnic parties of the summer, for the Greycliffers were not the only visitants of the Island.
“As soon as the rain stops we’ll have a fire, we will,” said Mickey, picking up a few dry sticks in the cave. “I stuck a bundle of wood to dry here last year,” said he, “and I’ll see if it’s still here.”