. There are no
whales in this bay." But all the same her voice was unsteady, and she
would have given worlds for a reassuring shout from Walter.

Another splash!

"There he goes! It's a porpoise!" cried Jack. "No danger of one of
those hog-fish going near a man. They're as timid as mice. Just see
him go! There ought to be a lot of others, for they generally go in
schools. Maybe this one was kept in because he couldn't spell 'book,'
and is just getting home."

Cora breathed a sigh of relief at Jack's joking tone. She didn't care
to see the big fish swim--she was only too glad that he was going, and
that he was of the harmless species described by Jack. The others
watched the porpoise as he made his way out to the open sea.

"My, I'll bet Walter was frightened if he met that fellow," said Ed.
"I wish he hadn't gone," he whispered to Jack a moment later.

"He said he would fire a pistol when he got to shore. He took a little
one with him, and it's waterproof. Let's listen."

As if the magical words had gone by wireless, at that very moment a
shot was heard!

"There! He's safe! That was his signal!" cried Jack, and Cora said
afterwards that he hugged Belle, although the youth declared it was his
own sister whom he had embraced.

"Now, we will only have to wait and not worry," Ed remarked. "Over at
that light there must be human beings, and they must have boats. Boats
plus humans equal rescue."

The relief from anxiety put the girls in better spirits. Bess and
Belle wondered if Nettie had returned, and speculated whether, on
finding them gone, she might have notified the police. Cora was
thinking about what sort of lifeboat Walter would return with, while Ed
and Jack were content to look and listen.

A good hour passed, when a light could be seen moving about the beach.

"They're coming, all right," declared Ed. "Watch that glimmer."

The light moved first to the north, then in the other direction, until
finally it became steady and was heading straight for the party in
distress.

"Wave your lantern," suggested Cora. "They may not be able to see it
as it stands."

Ed stood on the seat and circled the light about his head.

Breathlessly they stood there--waiting, wondering and watching.

"I'm going to call," said Bess, at the same moment shouting, "Walter!"
at the top of her voice.

"C-o-m-ing!" came the reply, and this time it was an open question
whether Bess hugged Ed or Jack.

"