Bill always went to fetch the food from the cave where Jeannette left
it. He had hitherto not met her, which he was anxious to do, to learn
what chance there was of obtaining a boat. She, however, was always
before him, the fact being that the path from her house to the cave was
practicable before that from the large cavern was open.

"I don't quite like the look of the weather," observed Bill one day to
Jack, just before the time Jeannette was due at the little cave, and all
their provisions were expended. "If it comes on very bad she may be
stopped, and we shall be pressed. I'll slip down the moment the water
is shallow enough, and try to get along the shore; and if she has not
reached the cave, I'll go on and meet her."

Bill at once put his resolution into practice. He did not mind wetting
his feet; but he had here and there a hard job to save himself from
being carried off by the sea, which rolled up the beach to the very foot
of the cliff. Twice he had to cling to a rock, and frequently to wade
for some distance, till he began to regret that he had ventured so soon;
but having made up his mind to do a thing, he was not to be defeated by
the fear of danger; so waiting till the wave had receded, he rushed on
to another rock. The sky had become overcast. The leaden seas,
foam-crested, came rolling in with increasing force, and had not the
tide been on the ebb his position would have been perilous in the
extreme.

He knew, however, that every minute would make his progress less
difficult; so with a brave heart he pushed on. At last he reached the
little cave by the side of the gorge. It was empty! He knew,
therefore, that Jeannette had not been there.

According to his previous determination, he went on to meet her, hoping
that before this she might have set out.

The rain now began to fall, and the wind blew with fitful gusts. He did
not care for either himself, but he was sorry that Jeannette should be
exposed to the storm. He felt nearly sure that she would come, in spite
of it. If not, he made up his mind to wait till dark, and then to go on
to her cottage. There was no great risk in doing so, as the soldiers
would long before this have given up their search for him and Jack.

He had gone some distance, and the fishing village would soon be in
sight, when he saw a figure coming towards him, wrapped in a cloak.
Hoping that it was Jeannette, he hurried forward to meet her. He was
not mistaken.