“We should not give way to such thoughts, Miss Grace,” remarked Oliver. “Let us go on trusting to Him who has hitherto taken care of us.”
“I feel rebuked,” said Grace, a little time afterwards; “I will try to quiet my alarms, and hope for the best.”
Having now made all the arrangements which could be thought of, we very frequently went down to Flagstaff Rock to look out for the Hope. Often we had to return disappointed, however. At length one day, when Oliver, Grace, and I, attended by Merlin, were collected there, Grace exclaimed—
“See! see! there is a white spot in the horizon!”
We all looked towards it.
“I fear it is a line of foam-crested seas,” said Oliver. “See! it extends far on either side. It is caused by a hurricane, which is sweeping towards us.”
“Oh, but I am sure there is a sail too!” said Grace. “Look again, Oliver. If you shade your eyes, you will see it rising above the foam.”
We all looked; and at length both Oliver and I agreed with Grace that there was a vessel’s sail. She seemed to be coming towards the island. How eagerly we gazed at her! At length we had no doubt about the matter; and Oliver said he was sure she was the cutter. We wished to let Mr Sedgwick and the Frau know the good news; and yet neither of us liked to leave the spot.
“Merlin can remain with you,” said Oliver at length, “and I will go and tell them;” and off he set.
The cutter drew nearer and nearer, carrying a press of sail, considering the strong wind which was now blowing. She was apparently making for Hope Harbour, instead of standing in towards Flagstaff Rock. From the way of the wind, the entrance to Hope Harbour would be tolerably sheltered. This probably was the reason. I understood enough about sea affairs to know that she was carrying so much canvas in order to weather Flagstaff Cape. When that was done, I trusted she would be safe. Oh, how I wished we had a spy-glass to see who was on board! Could Walter be there? How my heart beat! Poor dear Grace, too, was greatly agitated. We had long wished for this moment; and now it had come. Not only were we still in doubt, but agitated by anxiety for the safety of those on board. It appeared to me that our friends were in great danger, from the way the little cutter heeled over to the wind. On she stood, without attempting to lessen the sail; when, as we were gazing at her, suddenly a fearful blast struck her. Over bent her mast and sail. We both of us shrieked with horror. Before we could look again she was upset, and the sea breaking wildly over her.