Mrs. Holloway slipped an arm about the woman’s shaking shoulders as she led her and the two small children toward the house.
“Don’t worry about anything now,” she comforted. “You’ll spend the night here and we’ll get word to your husband. We have plenty of room.”
Having delivered the passengers safely, the Coast Guard launch now prepared to pull away, but not before Sam Hatfield and Mr. Holloway both had thanked the crew for the timely rescue.
“It’s just part of our job,” the boatswain replied carelessly. “Glad to have been of service.”
After the launch had disappeared in the darkness, Brad and the other Cubs gathered about Mr. Hatfield, urging him to relate what had occurred on Rabb Island.
“What became of Mr. Holloway’s boat?” Dan asked. “And why was it necessary to send the distress message?”
“Well—” the Cub leader hesitated, glancing briefly at Chips. “Oh, we had a little bad luck. The boat broke away after we left it on shore.”
“It wasn’t bad luck exactly,” Chips corrected quietly. “I was careless. Mr. Hatfield told me to fasten the boat, and I did tie it to a dock post—only not securely enough.”
“It wasn’t really your fault, Chips,” the Cub leader said generously.
“Yes, it was, sir. I should have been more careful.”