An answering yell from Jim and a shriek of delight from Mary, and as the boat's bows cut into the soft sand, they rushed towards it, followed by Kate. Disengaging himself from their frantic embraces he met Kate, and drew her to him.
“All well, Kate?”
“Yes, Tom,” she whispered.
“What brought you here?”
“Your letter, of course! Waterboy and the other horse came home this afternoon, and Lizzie said that if we liked we could come and camp here until you came. And just after dark, as we got here, we fancied we heard the sound of the vessel anchoring, and so Jim coo-e-e-d.”
Gerrard bent towards her again.
“Mary and Jim, run along and help poor Harry with the tent.” Then in a whisper: “Tom, keep quiet—we are right in the light of the fire.”
“Yes, run along,” added Gerrard; “we'll be with you in a minute. Oh, Jim, stop a moment! Would you and Mary like to go on board the vessel to-morrow morning, and see Captain Lowry's curios?”
“Oh, yes, Uncle,” was the unsuspecting reply.
“Then you and Harry can camp here tonight, and have a good time on board in the morning. I'm in no end of a hurry to get home, and see your Aunt Lizzie. But I'll be back before breakfast to-morrow.”