smal; and then Dick's heart gave a quick hopeful
leap, for, from far away, and sounding faint and strange, came an
answering hail, but not like Josh's dismal appeal. It was a sharp,
short, cheery "_Ahoy_!" full of promise of action.

"They've heard us at last!" cried Will eagerly. "That's the coastguard,
and they'll come off in their gig, as it's so smooth."

"I say," said Josh, in his low sing-song way; "haven't I put it too
strong? They'll think somethin' 'orrid's wrong--that it's a wreck, or
somethin' worse."

"Let them!" cried Will. "It's horrible enough to be afloat in an open
boat in the dark without oar or sail. Hail again, Josh."

"Ahoy--ah!" cried the fisherman once more, and an answer came back at
once. Then another and another.

"They'll soon get a boat," cried Will. "You listen."

"But they'll never find us in the dark!" cried Dick dismally.

"Oh, won't they!" cried Josh; "they'd find us if we was only out in a
pork tub. Lor' a mussy me, youngster, you don't know our Cornish lads!"

"We shall keep on hailing now and then," said Will, whose teeth were
chattering in spite of his cheery tones.

"Ahoy--oy--oy!"

Very distinct but very distant the shouting of a numerous crowd of
people; and now, like the tiniest and faintest of specks, lights could
be seen dancing about on the shore, while all at once, one star, a vivid
blue star, burst out, burning clear and bright for a few minutes, making
Dick gaze wonderingly ashore.

"Blue light," said Will.

"To hearten us up a bit, and say the boat's coming!" cried Josh.
"Ahoy--ah! Let 'em know which way to row."

Josh shouted from time to time, and then Will gave a shout or two; and
there were answering shouts that seemed to come nearer, and at last
plain enough there was the light of a lanthorn rising and falling
slowly, telling of its being in a boat that was being propelled by stout
rowers.

"Why, my father's sure to be in that boat!" cried Dick suddenly. "He'll
have been frightened about me, and have come off to see."

"Shouldn't wonder," said Josh. "I should if I had a boy."

"You shall hail when they get nearer," said Will. "They couldn't hear
you yet."

"I wish he could!" cried Dick. "He'll have been in such trouble. Oh, I
know!"

He had suddenly remembered a little silver whistle that was attached to
his chain, and placing it to his lips he blew upon it a shrill
ear-piercing scream.

"There, I knew he would be!" cried Dick jo