one if he had not had some plan in his head. He
always thinks before he acts. He would never have risked his life to
get to the boat if he had no means of moving her," said Peggy proudly;
and even as she spoke a simultaneous exclamation of delight went up from
the watchers, as the end of a sail flapped in the breeze. They were at
too great a distance to distinguish the mast, but all had noticed its
presence in the bottom of the boat as they rowed out to the island, and
now realised in a flash its value under the circumstances. Rob would
have no struggling with the oars, he would trust to the sail to carry
him back, and so experienced a yachtsman might be trusted to make the
most of the opportunity. Arthur tossed his cap into the air, and
shouted aloud in pure gladness of heart. Though he had tried to make
the best of the situation, he had been oppressed by dread, and each
moment, as it passed, had seemed to bring with it some fresh possibility
of disaster. The fishermen might not return from their regatta until
the following day; the flymen might not be able to organise a search;
the weather might change, and turn to rain or wind. The very thought of
the consequences of a night spent on the island made him grind his teeth
in despair, while Rob's hazardous expedition had appeared a veritable
last straw. But now, in a moment, everything was changed; what before
had seemed a hopeless, almost criminal attempt, had become practical
certainty, as, borne by the friendly sail, the boat drew nearer and
nearer to her goal. Rob's figure could now be plainly discerned, and
presently even his face was distinguishable as he waved back
acknowledgments of the cheers sent to him across the water. Half-a-
dozen eager hands were waiting to help with the boat as she ran ashore,
and there he stood, the water dripping from his clothes, his hair
ruffled into a veritable mop of dark brown curls, his face beaming with
pleasure and triumph.

"Got her at last!" he gasped. "Got her at last! Bundle in! Bundle in!
We'll catch our train yet. I'll give you a hand with the hampers." He
had no thought for his own drenched condition, but Arthur shook him
affectionately by the shoulders and cried:

"You'll do nothing of the kind! We have still ten minutes to spare
before we need start, and you'll just come apart with me and have a good
rub down! You have done your share of the work. Let the others look
after the hampers."

"And you s