Another plunge, a splashing run, and they were on the hard sand of the beach. Then they both tumbled on their faces and breathed in great gasps. But the Captain realized that this would not do, for, in their soaked condition, freezing to death was a matter of but a short time. He seized Davis by the shoulder and shook him again and again. “Come on, Lute! Come on!” he insisted. “Git up! You've GOT to git up!” And, after a while, the life-saver did get up, although he could scarcely stand. Then, with the Captain's arm around his waist, they started slowly up the beach toward the station. They had gone but a little way when they were met by Ralph Hazeltine and Captain Perez. Mrs. Snow had been, for her, rather nervous all that forenoon. She performed her household duties as thoroughly as usual, but Elsie, to whom the storm had brought a holiday, noticed that she looked out of the window and at the clock frequently. Once she even went so far as to tell the young lady that she felt “kind of queer; jest as if somethin' was goin' to happen.” As the housekeeper was not the kind to be troubled with presentiments, Elsie was surprised. Dinner was on the table at twelve o'clock, but Captain Eri was not there to help eat it, and they sat down without him. And here again Mrs. Snow departed from her regular habit, for she ate little and was very quiet. She was the first to hear an unusual sound outside, and, jumping up, ran to the window. “Somebody's drivin' into the yard,” she said. “Who on airth would be comin' here such a day as this?” Captain Jerry joined her at the window. “It's Abner Mayo's horse,” he said. “Maybe it's Perez comin' home.” It was not Captain Perez, but Mr. Mayo himself, as they saw when the rubber blanket fastened across the front of the buggy was dropped and the driver sprang out. Mrs. Snow opened the door for him. “Hello, Abner!” exclaimed Captain Jerry, as the newcomer stopped to knock the snow from his boots before coming in, “what have you done to Perez? Goin' to keep him for a steady boarder?” But Mr. Mayo had important news to communicate, and he did not intend to lose the effect of his sensation by springing it without due preparation. He took off his hat and mittens and solemnly declined a proffered chair. “Cap'n Burgess,” he said, “I've got somethin' to tell you--somethin' awful. The whole life-savin' crew but one is drownded, and Cap'n Eri Hedge--” An exclamation from Mrs. Snow interrupted him. The housekeeper clasped her hands together tightly and sank into a chair. She was very white. Elsie ran to her. “What is it, Mrs. Snow?” she asked. “Nothin', nothin'! Go on, Mr. Mayo. Go on!” The bearer of ill-tidings, gratified at the result of his first attempt, proceeded deliberately: