. Her eyes were looking dreamily out
across the water, away to a great fog-bank hanging and drifting over
the face of the deep. Reynolds, too, looked, and the sight held him
spellbound. The mass of fog slowly rose and rolled across the
newly-bathed sun. Then it began to dissolve, and dim forms of trees
and islands made their appearance, growing more distinct moment by
moment. The scene fascinated him. It was truly a fairy world upon
which he was looking.
And as he looked, his eyes rested upon a dark speck just beneath the
overhanging fog. For a few minutes it made no impression upon his
wandering mind. But slowly he began to realize that the object was in
motion, and moving toward the steamer. Then he saw something dark
being waved as if to attract attention. He was all alert now, feeling
sure that someone was hailing the steamer. In a few minutes she would
be past, when it would be too late to be of any assistance.
Turning almost instinctively toward the pilot-house, Reynolds' eyes
fell upon the captain, who was again talking to the girl. Only for an
instant did he hesitate, and then walking rapidly along the deck, he
reached the captain's side and touched him lightly upon the arm.
"Excuse me, sir," he began, as the officer wheeled suddenly around.
"Someone seems to be signaling to you over there, just where that
fog-bank is lifting," and he pointed with his finger.
The captain and the girl both turned, and their eyes scanned the watery
expanse.
"Can you see anything, Glen?" the captain asked. "My eyes must be
failing me."
"I do now," was the reply. "Over there to the left," and she motioned
with her hand. "I see it quite plainly. It is a boat of some kind
with people in it, and they are waving to us."
"So it is!" the captain exclaimed. "Who can it be? However, we shall
soon find out."
He hurried away, and soon a long raucous blast ripped the air. Then
the steamer swerved to the right and made for the small craft which was
now plainly visible. Many of the passengers were already crowding the
rail, all greatly interested in this new diversion.
Reynolds stepped back and gave his place to another. He could watch
the approaching boat just as well here, and at the same time study to a
better advantage the girl who was standing close to the rail. He had
accomplished something, anyway, which was worth a great deal to him.
He had heard her speak and learned her name. He liked "Glen,"
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