On they went, over the stormy waters, every minute being nearer their goal. The foam dashed in the face of the intrepid girl, and the salt water made her eyes smart; but she did not relax her efforts, but kept nobly and steadily at her work. Her father could not but admire her courage; and the sight of it gave him even more determination to succeed. "Are you getting tired, my girl?" he asked presently. "Not very, father. We shall do it," she replied. "Yes, I really hope we shall. There they are, poor wretches, glad enough to see us, I know. It is a good thing it is an ebb tide. If it had not been, we could not have passed between the islands. It will be flowing when we come back; and if there are no sailors to help us, we may as well make up our minds to stay on the rocks with the others, for we shall not be able to get home again." "Do not let us meet trouble half-way, father; the sailors will be able to help us." They pulled hard a little longer, and then contrived to reach the rock on which the sufferers were waiting. "Pray, take care, Grace." "All right, father. Do not be afraid. I will not risk all by my mismanagement." "If the coble is beaten against the rocks, she will be smashed to pieces." "I will take care, father. Cannot you land now? See, there is a chance. Now, father!" With a tremendous effort, Darling got on the rock, and immediately Grace rowed the boat back so as to keep her afloat on the water, and free of the dangerous reefs. In the meantime, the sufferers on the rock had taken hope. "There is a boat coming," one had shouted to the rest; and the very words had a miraculously quickening force in them. They looked eagerly out, but could scarcely believe that it would be in the power of those two occupants to rescue them. "One is a woman," said a sailor, with moisture in his eyes. "God bless her; she is an angel sent from Heaven to succour us." This man let the tears stream down his weather-beaten cheeks, while he watched the girl's heroic efforts, and prayed fervently that God would bless and prosper them. William Darling could scarcely help weeping, too, while he looked at the sufferers, for their state was truly dreadful. They had strength enough left, however, to cry to him, and bless him and his; and he was thankful to find the sailors not so utterly exhausted, but that they were able to render some assistance. "Who is to be the first?" cried Darling. "The boat is ready, and by God's help we shall save you all. Cheer up. Hope for the best, and help yourselves as much as possible." His cheery words had a magic effect upon the sufferers, who immediately "took heart again," and rose to their feet in faith and hope.