“We’ll have to wash and comb an’ clothe him first,” said Tomlin.
He did not say “shave,” for they had no razors,—and by that time the beards of most of the party were as long as Mitford’s; but their locks had been trimmed by means of a clasp-knife super-sharpened, whereas Mitford’s were in wildest disorder.
That night they encamped in the wreck-cave, made a fire, and prepared a splendid supper of pork and pea-soup for John and themselves, after which they subjected their recovered comrade to a scrubbing and cropping and repairing of habiliments that almost proved fatal to his constitution. Next day they loaded the boat with all the pork and pease they could find, as well as portions of cordage that might be useful. Then they started off on the return journey.
It was a fine day when they reached the encampment, where the coxswain and the women were on the look-out. Massey, of course, was the first to observe, as the boat approached, that an extra hand was in it; but he wisely said nothing at first. Then his heart began to beat as it used to do when he brought in rescued men and women from wrecks, for the truth suddenly flashed upon him. He glanced at Peggy. Poor thing, her sad eyes had wandered from the approaching boat and were resting wistfully on the horizon beyond.
“Nell,” murmured the coxswain in a deep, earnest whisper to his wife, who stood at his elbow, “the tide’s a-goin’ to rise again wi’ poor Peggy, if my eyes are tellin’ truth.”
“What d’ee mean, Bob?” asked Nellie, with a quick, anxious look.
“Five men went away, Nell; six are comin’ back!”
As he spoke, a tall figure rose up in the stern of the boat and waved a hand.
Nellie glanced quickly at her friend. She was standing with glaring eyes, parted lips, and a deathly pallor on her worn face.
“Peggy!”