island was only a low rock, and vessels going up
and down channel kept generally too far from the reef to allow us to be
seen by them on board. We could see our cape, and even the old house,
but had no way of making signals, except by the fire at night.

Beautiful as was the day, it was one only of pain and anxiety to us. Of
the few sails we saw, not one came within three miles of us. Where
could Mr Clare be all this time?

The sea fell so fast that by two o'clock in the afternoon it was smooth
as a lake. Harry Higginson and I sat looking at it on a point of the
reef, with Ugly by our side. Ugly's tongue hung dry from his mouth, and
he panted for a drop of water, but he was pained, too, I am sure,
because of our silence and dejection. Watching our faces, as if
wondering what he could do for us, he at length walked down to the
waterline and looked across to the cape with a long whine. Then he ran
back and put his paws on Harry's knee, as if he would have him say
something. So Harry patted his head and said, "Yes, old boy, I wish we
could get there."

He sprang down again and commenced to bark, pointing his nose towards
the cape.

I called to him, "Don't be a fool, Ugly; your little bark can't reach
them."

He cried and ran back to Harry, but in a second more, barking like fury,
he ran to the water and swam off in the direction of our home.

We called to him again and again, entreating and commanding his return;
but he paid no attention to us, and swam on. We were filled with sorrow
and alarm, for surely little Ugly could not swim that distance--over
three miles. We called to the Captain and the boys, and in a few
minutes we were all standing watching the progress of brave Ugly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

What was going on at the cape all this time?

Mr Clare did not return on Saturday, and as night set in without our
appearance, Clump and Juno got anxious. Having, however, great
confidence in the Captain's care and skill, they were not so much
alarmed as they might have been, supposing that he, seeing the
approaching gale, had made some harbour, and that there we should stay
until the weather changed. For some reason, both Clump and Juno
supposed we had gone to the westward. That shore was broken by several
bays and small rivers, and eleven miles westward was the fishing-village
of ---. Nevertheless, the good old people were somewhat alarmed, and
s