Then Cora saw that she was becoming unconscious. Feeling about the half-dark cave place Cora came upon a pail of water. Beside it was a tin cup and this she filled and carried to the sick girl's lips.
"Try to drink," she whispered. "Then if you can stand I will take you to my house in my boat."
The girl did sip some of the water. Again she opened those wonderful eyes and looked at Cora.
"You are kind," she said. "He did not send you?"
"No one sent me, dear, and I promise never to betray you."
"At last," she murmured, "a friend!"
"Yes, a friend," Cora assured her, "and I am going to prove it to you. I saw you one day as we—some girls and myself came to this island. Then I saw you win that splendid race, and since then I have been determined to find you."
"'He made me do it, he made me go in the race," said the girl, "and now he brings this letter."
"What has shocked you so?" Cora asked. "Was it the letter?"
"Yes, he says they are coming for father!"