"It isn't--very likely, is it?" "It's quite possible," he maintained. Presently, to his delight as well as to his surprise, he heard a little crowing laugh. "What is it?" "Aunty Landis! Goodness! I never thought of her until this minute. What will she do?" "Go home on the excursion steamer, of course. But she'll have to stay all night at the hotel. The steamer isn't likely to risk crossing the bay during this blow." "You don't suppose she'll think we're drowned? She may be in a terrible fright over us." "Oh, I hope not." Hour after hour wore on, and still the storm drove them southward. All night Fessenden, in a way that was afterward a marvel to himself, fought a ceaseless battle with the sea and wind. His hands were numb and his feet were like ice, but he stood staunchly to his task. In spite of his urgings, renewed from time to time, Betty crouched beside him all night long. She too was cold, colder even than he, for she could not warm herself by action. Still she held her post. Perhaps she knew that her presence there was an inspiration to him as real as the sight of the flag to the fighting soldier. Toward morning the clouds broke overhead. The stars began to shine through. Then, to the relief of the _Wisp's_ crew, the wind began to fall, and about dawn the waves had ceased to be formidable. "Betty," said Fessenden joyfully, "I really believe we've pulled through." "Hurrah!" While she held the wheel, he managed to lay hold of the now flapping jib, and to set it after a fashion. This greatly steadied the sloop. Then, at last, Betty consented to listen to his persuasions to turn in in the cabin. "We're pretty well out of danger now," he declared, "Go in and rest, Betty. Take off those dripping clothes--" "Only steaming, please." "Amendment accepted! But take them off and go to bed. I'm afraid you'll be sick--and then what should I do?" "Will you promise to wake me in an hour? _You_ are the tired one. I've loafed all night." "I'll wake you when I think it's time to turn the wheel over to you. I promise you that." "I'll go to bed, then." "Good! And, Betty, light that oil range and dry your clothes by it. Now, off with you, quick!" It was full daylight, although the sun was not yet visible. For the first time in many hours their faces were plain to each other's view. Both were pale with the long night's exposure, but both were smiling. Betty lingered in the act of closing the cabin-hatch upon herself. "You'll be sure to wake me soon?" "Yes." "What a night we've had!" "Rather lively, wasn't it? I assure, I'm glad to see you this morning." "I'm glad to see _you_. Oh, very glad!" She closed the hatch gently behind her. No sound of a sliding bolt followed--she trusted him too innocently to lock the door against him. For a while he heard her moving about, then all was quiet. He pictured her tired little body cuddled under the blankets while a grateful warmth crept over her. He smiled to the gray sea at the thought.