"Kate," I called to her, "you may come out now, if you like."
"Is it safe to do so? If it isn't, I had just as lief stay in here," she replied.
"Perhaps you will think I am crazy, Kate; but I wish to have Tom Thornton see you;" and I proceeded to explain the difficulty under which poor Bob would labor after our departure.
"I shall do just what you tell me, Ernest Thornton, if it is to jump overboard" replied she, coming out of the cabin, and taking a seat on the weather side of the boat.
With the wind nearly aft, the Splash dashed forward on her course. I ran her up within twenty yards of the shore, where Tom and my uncle stood, and then threw her up into the wind.
"Mr. Tom Thornton," I shouted, "I want you to understand that Miss Loraine has been on board of my boat all night."
It must have been a great satisfaction to him to know that he had been within a stone's throw of her ever since his arrival at the cottage.
"Bring her ashore, you villain!" cried he, stamping his feet with rage and vexation.
"You smashed my skiff so that I can't land here," I replied.
"Ernest, will you hear me?" called uncle Amos, as the Splash filled away again.