Then, suddenly, he heard what sounded like a human voice, and he ran swiftly to the door, but paused there, saying to himself it was foolish to allow such ideas to enter his mind, for none save the keepers themselves would come to that lonely ledge in the night, and it was not possible they had returned.
"Ahoy! Sonny! Fetch a lantern!"
It was Captain Eph's voice, and with a shrill cry of relief and joyful surprise, Sidney flung wide open the outer door, letting the light stream out from the kitchen in rays of welcome.
"Hello Sonny! Gettin' lonesome, eh? Bring the lantern that's hangin' behind the stove!"
It seemed to Sidney as if he had never been so clumsy before; twice the matches went out before the wick was lighted, and when he finally succeeded, he had difficulty in shutting down the globe.
When it had been made ready he descended the ladder as rapidly as possible, not stopping for coat or hat; but before gaining the rocks below the question came into his mind as to why all hands were remaining at the boat waiting for him to come with a lantern, when one could run her up on the ways without assistance.
"Did you find him?" Sidney shouted as he scrambled over the jagged rocks, and Captain Eph replied mournfully:
"Ay, we've got the poor fellow."
"What?" and the lad stopped suddenly. "He isn't—isn't—"
"He's alive, Sonny, an' that's about the best that can be said; but, thank God, we overtook him before it was too late."