“I will swim away and cut him off, or else maybe he will pass us.”
“Let us first try what hailing will do,” said the mate; “we will all shout together.”
“Ay, ay!” answered Nub. “I give de time.”
All three, raising their voices, shouted as loud as they could, Alice’s shrill note reaching almost as far as the others.
“Once more,” cried Nub; “and sure dis time he hear.” Again they all cried out, even louder than before.
“Dere! dere, Missie Alice, he see us!” exclaimed Nub, looking down at the little girl as he spoke. At that moment the sheets were let go, and Walter was seen eagerly looking out to discover whence the voices came. The raft now came gliding up towards them, Walter having gone back to the helm to steer it.
Nub was the first to spring on board, and then having made fast the chest, he lifted Alice safely on to the raft, where she was received in Walter’s arms. The almost exhausted mate was then dragged on board by Nub. The first thing Mr Shobbrok did was to haul down the sail, that the raft might not be driven further away from the land; he then turned towards Walter, not to find fault with him for running away,—for he was well aware that the poor lad could not help it,—but to ascertain the state of his mind.
Walter had placed Alice on her usual seat, and now sat by her side. He looked up at Mr Shobbrok. “I cannot tell you how it all happened,” he said in a low voice. “I only remember seeing Alice in the water, and shrieking out for some one to help her, when I fell down fainting on the raft. I was unconscious of what happened further, till I found myself alone on the raft, which had at that instant been taken aback by a strong breeze from the westward. I felt full of dismay and grief, but as calm and self-possessed as I ever had been. I considered what was to be done. My first thought was to go in search of you. I lowered the sail, got the raft round, and again setting the sail, steered away to the eastward, fully prepared to perish should I not find you; and oh, I cannot express how thankful I am to find you again!”
“I am sure he is,” said Alice, jumping up and kissing Walter.
“I am certain of it too, my lad,” said the mate. “We don’t blame you; and can only be thankful that, through God’s mercy, your senses were so wonderfully restored.”