tly in the surf, two hundred yards from the shore. "I can
see the man in it. He's lying down. Funny!"

But Josephine, wiser from much experience on shipboard, now saw
clearly, and the sight thrilled.

"It's a life-raft," she declared, with a tremor in her voice; "and
there's a man on it. It's a--real--castaway. Come!"

With that, she set off running down the steep slope of the ridge
toward the sea. Behind her came Florence, startled and alarmed. The
dog barked exultantly once, then leaped ahead, only to return and
circle the slower playfellows joyfully. They came to the water's edge,
and halted, perforce. Josephine saw the raft, as it rode on a breaking
wave. It was perceptibly nearer. She dared hope it might be brought
within reach. With deft motions, the flannel skirt was tucked within
her belt, leaving her legs free. Florence, somewhat reluctantly, made
the like adjustment. The bull-terrier, disheartened by this
immobility, sat on its haunches, and regarded the two doubtfully,
perhaps prudishly disapproving. From time to time the raft showed for
a few seconds; only to vanish again behind the screen of spume. But it
advanced shoreward, steadily. The body of the man was distinct--prone,
motionless. The girls watched and waited in palpitant eagerness. The
dog, sensing the tension of the moment, began to hasten to and fro,
snuffing and whining. Suddenly, the two cried out in the same moment.
They saw the raft floating fast and smoothly toward them on the crest
of a breaker. They dashed forward, knee-deep, to meet the charge. The
huge mass of the wave pounded upon them, almost swept them from their
feet. The angry waters boiled about them. It was up to their waists
now. The flying spray lashed their faces and blinded them. When, at
last, their vision cleared, the raft had vanished. They caught sight
of it again, presently. It was floating from them, already fifty yards
distant.

Nevertheless, the girls, though discouraged, did not give over their
hope of rescue. Not even when another wave thrust the raft fairly upon
them, so that their hands clutched the tubes, then tore it ruthlessly
from their puny grasp, and flung it afar. The dog, accustomed to
sporting in the surf with its mistress, rushed to seize this flotsam,
but the powerful jaws could find no hold. As the dog approached,
swimming, Josephine put her hand to its collar, and so supported it
while they waited anxiously for the raft's return.

It came more quic