"Why, it's Mark Griffin!" cried Alene, with a gulp of delight.
They stood watching the movements of the skiff, fearing it would turn in some other direction and leave them in their plight.
"Maybe he's going on down the river," wailed Laura.
Alene waved her handkerchief more energetically.
"He wouldn't do that!"
"But he doesn't know we're abducted and cast away on this unfriendly coast," rejoined Laura, whose courage increased with the nearer approach of the boat.
It was evident the rower had no intention of turning aside; he aimed in their direction with even and rapid strokes of the oars which soon covered the expanse of water between.
"I noticed you girls running out on deck when the boat drew off and I thought something was wrong and hurried over to see," he explained half shyly, as he drew the boat to shore.
"Oh, have you come to take us home?" cried Alene. "How lovely of you!"
"I'll run back to the cabin for our packages," and Laura, not waiting for his reply, hurried away.