Seeing him, she spoke hurriedly and with serious face.
"Oh, sir, are you acquainted with these tides? If so, do pray tell us how long it may be before we can pass that point which the tide reaches yonder?"
"High tide will not be for an hour," said Winslow, looking at his watch as he approached her. "It will be another hour, perhaps, before the tide will recede to enable you to pass the point."
"Oh, what shall we do?" said another voice, proceeding from the same rock.
As he came nearer he saw another young woman, with a look of utter despair, seated upon a stone, her head resting on both hands.
"Oh, Grace, what shall we do? Mother will be so frightened at our absence, and you know she is not yet strong after her illness. Oh, sir, can you help us to return to our friends? We should have left here an hour ago. If we cannot get back before two hours I do not know how much my mother may be affected."
"Calm yourself, Lizzie," said her friend, encouragingly; "perhaps this gentleman may help us," turning to Winslow as she spoke.
"I came to this shore in a sail-boat which is, I fear, too far away to be brought here in an hour. If I had been a few minutes earlier I might have helped you past the point, even if it had been necessary to carry you."
"My friend, Miss Forest, is not a good mountain climber, or we might try to reach the top of the bluff and return that way."
"I think, Miss—?" hesitated Winslow.