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 lous that we can't see her yet; she ought to show plainly, she's so white. I can see the skiff, but—"

She peered and frowned; then broke into a run. Garth, coming up, found her standing motionless, gazing dumbly at the empty cove.

"She's gone," Joan said faintly; "dragged her anchor and gone! Oh, why didn't I give her more cable? Good Heavens, the tide was rising, too! I suppose she simply went without any trouble."

"Then we'll have to spend the night here!" Garth said, in joyous anticipation.

"You stay here, Garth," Joan said queerly; "stay by the skiff. I'm going all around Trasket to see if she's anywhere in sight."

She set off at a run over the sand. A tour of the island gave no sign of the strayed boat, and she returned slowly to Garth. She shook her head in response to his question.

"Then we'll have to stay!" he cried. "Hurrah! Unless you want to row down in the Cymba?"

"No!" said Joan, decidedly. "It's a long way; we've no lantern now; it will soon be totally dark; the waves are still high; the skiff