“We’ll have to dry the sail somehow or it will mildew,” Penny decided. “The best thing, I think, is to put it on again and sail home.”
Together they righted the boat. As the tall mast flipped out of the sand, Penny caught glimpse of a shiny, blue object.
“Our bottle!” she cried triumphantly, making a dive for it.
“Your bottle,” corrected Louise. “I’m not a bit interested in that silly old thing.”
Nevertheless, as Penny sat down on the deck of “Pop’s Worry” and removed the cork, she edged nearer. By means of a hairpin, the folded sheet of paper contained within was pulled from the narrow neck. Highly elated, Penny spread out the message to read.
“Well, what does it say?” Louise inquired impatiently.
“Oh, so you are interested,” teased Penny.
“Now don’t try to be funny! Read the message.”
Penny stared at the paper in her hand. “It’s rather queer,” she acknowledged. “Listen:
“‘The day of the Great Deluge approaches. If you would be saved from destruction, seek without delay, the shelter of my ark.’”