"There's one of them!" cried the boy, and in another instant he had caught Charlie by the hair. But not a trace of Hazlehurst was seen since he first disappeared, and the waters had closed so suddenly over him. Charlie was carried to the Petrel's side; and while Smith and the lad were endeavouring to raise him on the schooner, Bruno was swimming hither and thither, howling piteously for his master.
A shout was now heard.
"The boat at last, thank Heaven!" cried Smith, returning the call.
A minute passed; nothing was seen of Harry; Charlie was raised entirely above water; when at length the Petrel's boat dashed towards them, urged by all the strength of four rowers.
"Hubbard!—Bob!" cried de Vaux, as the first glance showed him that both Smith and the boy were safe.
"Hubbard is here, insensible—Bob gone—Hazlehurst sunk, too!"
"Hazlehurst and Bob, too!—Merciful powers!" exclaimed the party.
A hurried, eager search succeeded, as soon as Charlie, with Smith and Sam, now somewhat exhausted by fatigue and agitation, were taken on board. Hubbard was quite insensible; young Van Horne, the physician, thought his appearance unfavourable, but instantly resorted to every means possible under the circumstances, with the hope of restoring animation. Still nothing was seen of Harry; his entire disappearance was quite incomprehensible.
"It must have been cramp; yet I never knew him have it, and he is one of the best swimmers in the country!" said de Vaux.
"He must have felt it coming, and had presence of mind to loosen his hold of Hubbard at the same moment he cried for help," observed Smith.