Although the boat had been left high and dry by the ebb tide, the waves, momentarily becoming stronger, would soon lift it up from the stern.
And now the rain fell in big drops, so heavily charged with electricity that they seemed to explode as they struck the sand on the shore.
“You can’t stay outside any longer, Jenny, dear,” said Fritz. “Do go back into the cave, I beg you! You, too, Dolly, and you too, Mrs. Wolston.”
Jenny did not want to leave her husband. But Captain Gould spoke authoritatively.
“Go inside, Mrs. Fritz,” he said.
“You too, captain,” she replied; “you must not expose yourself to a wetting yet.”
“I have nothing to fear now,” Harry Gould answered.
“Jenny, I tell you again, go back, there’s no time to lose!” Fritz exclaimed.
And Jenny, Dolly, and Susan took refuge in the cave just as the rain, in which hail was mingled, began to rattle down like grape-shot.
Captain Gould and the boatswain, Fritz, Frank, and James remained near the boat, though it was with the utmost difficulty that they stood up against the squalls which swept the shore. The waves were breaking in the bay already and throwing their spray right over it.