"Oh, they must not take her to a hospital," wailed Helen. "Let us get to her, Julia. She will surely be all right in a little while."
"They are bringing them in a life boat," a gentlemen with marine glasses said. He had seen their distress and recognized their uniform.
"Oh, thank you, but how can we get to them?" begged Julia. "If only we could move through this awful crowd."
"I have a police whistle," he said. "I'll just blow it, and when the officer answers I'll explain. Remain quietly where you are."
The magic whistle shrilled its signal, and the crowd fell back, while the motorcycle officer answered. The gentleman quickly explained the situation, and the two girls climbed to the rear seat of the motor, where they clung, as the officer piloted them through the autos and street crowds up to the pier.
"They're in! They're in!" the people were now shouting. But Julia and Helen were almost afraid to look.
Leaving his motorcycle at the boardwalk, the officer led the girls down on the sands where the life boat had just made shore.
"Who—is—it, with her?" breathed Julia, for they could now see that Louise sat up in the boat and had some one in her arms.
"It's Kitty!" shouted Helen. "She jumped to save Kitty. Oh, Louise, you darling! You brave little True Tred!" she cried. "Let me get to her."
In another moment Julia and Helen were with Cleo and Margaret, who had easily climbed down the pier, and were there when the boat came in. Scarcely speaking, the little group waited for a space to reach the life boat.