"What are they going to do, Mr. Kramer?" asked Joe.
"Fire us a line."
There was a little delay, then a puff of smoke, and a line fell across the island. There was a great rush and scramble for it, and some of the boys in their eagerness fell over each other, doing more harm than good; but the line was secured, and pulled in with a will. At the end of this line was fastened a rope, and this, in turn, brought a double cable.
"A long pull, and a strong pull, and a pull all together!" said the light-keeper.
There were hands enough to pull, but after all it was hard work; and there was a cheer when they got hold of the double cable and ran with it to an old oak stump.
The light-keeper sent John for some heavy spikes, which he drove into the stump, in a circle above the cable, to prevent its slipping up when it began to move.
"Pull tight now!" shouted Kramer.
The boys could see the rope tighten.
"What are they doing now, Mr. Bernard?" asked Dave.
"That's what I should like to know," said Joe. "They are coming ashore, I think."