She looked at me again, doubtfully. Most likely she remembered what the Tresidders had said about me.
"I will be very careful," I went on; "and you had better come quickly, for the tide is rising every minute. I know you distrust me, for the Tresidders hate me; but if I did not desire to help you I should not have let you see me, for when they know where I am I shall be in danger."
She lifted her head proudly as though I had angered her, then she looked at me again steadily, and came toward me.
"Is the water very deep?" she asked.
"It is over five feet here," I replied, "but it is shallower a few yards nearer the shore."
"You are sure you can swim with me to shore?" she said.
"I shall not try," I said. "If you will let me, I will hold you above my head. You are not heavy and I—" Then I hesitated, for I did not want to boast.
"Yes, I know you are very strong," she laughed, half fearfully I thought; "but how can you do this?"
"Look," I said; "if you will stand on my shoulders so"—and I placed my back against the rock. "I am afraid your feet will have to be wet, just a little, for my shoulders are in the water. There, that is it; now hold my hands," and I lifted my hands as high above my head as I could.