Hole, in Pamlico Sound. As the
vessel sank, the raft floated clear for a moment, then the suction
drew it under, buffeted it--spewed it forth. It rode easily on the
swirling waters, at last. As the commotion from the ship's sinking
ceased, the raft moved smoothly on the surface, rocking gently with
the pulse of the sea. Zeke, half-strangled, almost torn from his place
by the grip of the water in the plunge, clung to his refuge with all
the strength that was in him. And that strength prevailed. Soon, he
could breathe fully once again, and the jaws of the sea gave over
their gnawing. After the mortal peril through which he had won, Zeke
found his case not so evil. The life was still in him, and he voiced a
crude phrase of gratefulness to Him who is Lord of the deep waters,
even as of the everlasting hills.

Near Teach's Hole, Ocracoke Inlet offers a shallow channel between the
dunes from Pamlico Sound to the open sea. Here the varying tides rush
angrily, lashed by the bulk of waves behind. To-night, the ebb bore
with it a cockle-shell on which a lad clung, shivering. But the soul
was still strong in him for all his plight. He dared believe that he
would yet return safe to the mountains, to the love that awaited him
there.

Once the castaway smiled wryly:

"I hain't superstitious none--leastways, I dunno's I be," he muttered,
doubtfully. "But hit's plumb lucky I got rid o' thet-thar dum black
bag jest as I did, or I'd 'a' been a goner, shore!"

CHAPTER VI

The days dragged heavily for Plutina, after the departure of her
lover. She endured the period of tense waiting as best she might,
since endure she must, but this passive loneliness, without a word
from the man of her heart, was well-nigh intolerable. She did not
weep--after that single passionate outburst while yet her lips were
warm from his kiss. She was not of the weak fiber to find assuagement
in many tears, nor had she nerves that needed the chemical soothing of
flooded eyes. She had, indeed, strength sufficient for the trial. She
bore her sorrow bravely enough, but it pierced her through and
through. She knew her lover, and she knew herself. Because of that
knowledge she was spared the shameful suffering of a woman who fears,
with deadly fear, lest her lover be untrue. Plutina had never a doubt
as to the faith of the absent one. A natural jealousy sometimes leaped
in her bosom, at thought of him exposed to the wiles of women whom she
suspected of a