Joe and Dave threw themselves upon the ground and crept to the edge also.
"Keep back there, you rascals! This is no place for you."
The boys crept back until it was safe to stand again, saying, "I saw them!"
"So did I! What a place!"
"Hullo, down there!" shouted Mr. Kramer.
Ned and Walter looked up in evident surprise and relief.
"O Mr. Kramer, can't you get us off?" they screamed.
"I don't think I can."
"The tide is coming higher and higher, and we have climbed as far as we can. Will we have to drown?"
The light-keeper looked down some time before answering--it seemed an hour to Joe--then he said in a tone the boys below could not hear, "The tides are so much higher now, and the sea so rough since the storm, there's no knowin' how high it will get."