Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/276

250 shallow rowboat bobbing gaily along on the waves. In a very few moments it would be abreast of them.

“I’ll have to swim for it,” said Gysbert. “It’s too far away to reach with the pole!” Hastily flinging oft some of his outer garments he plunged out of the window. He reached the spot opposite the window not an  instant too soon; just as the stern of the  boat swung by he grasped it and climbed  clumsily aboard. But to Jacqueline’s surprise, he did not instantly grasp the oars and start to pull back. Instead he put his hands to his mouth, shouted, “No oars!” and in a  twinkling was swept from her sight.

For a moment the situation did not seem very serious, and she waited calmly, thinking he would soon pick up an oar or a pole  and return to her. But the time passed on and he did not come. The minutes grew into half an hour, then dragged themselves out to  a full hour. Still no Gysbert! Jacqueline became almost distracted, and the situation