The boys below, tired of waiting for an answer, screamed, "Mr. Kramer, do something to help us. Bring a boat around here and take us off."
"That's the worst place on the island to take a boat. The water drives in furiously, and then sucks back enough to drag the solid cliff after it, if it wasn't anchored very strong."
This the light-keeper said to the two boys near him; and Ned and Walter, in their perilous position under the cliff, waited breathlessly for an answer, nearly frantic at the delay.
"Mr. Kramer, O Mr. Kramer! How high does the tide come here?"
"I can't see. Can't you tell by the looks of the rocks?"
"No, we don't know how."
"You can tell how high it comes generally by the seaweed and barnacles. I think it won't come up to you," he said at last.
This was sorry comfort.
"But you are not sure! Oh, come round in the boat, please."
"I shan't risk my boat in there unless it's a case of life or death, for she'd be smashed in a moment, and no one could save himself in that whirlpool."