That had been the "better scheme." To cut the _Arabella_ free from its mooring and let the wind and tide carry it out into the bay. At first Starrow had not favored the plan; he had declared that it was too much risk, that the wind was shifting and freshening fast and that the old tub might open a seam, but Joe Josephs had convinced him with: "the _Arabella_ would be good for a week out in a nastier sea than this. It's safer than riskin' runnin' afoul one of Phin Davies' men ashore. Guthrie's _Sally_'ll stand this squall and pick up the _Arabella_ easy and we can reckon sure on the course the old tub'll take, even 'lowin' for the wind to shift." As she comprehended what had happened Pola screamed. Mart and Sidney dragged her with them up the ladder. Lav was at the side of the boat tearing off his blouse. "Oh, Lav, what'll we do! What are you going to do now?" cried Sidney. "It's so black," wailed Pola. "I'm--sick!" "I'm going to swim ashore. It's the only way. I don't know how long this old tub'll stand a sea and the wind's rising. We got to get help." "You shan't swim alone, Lavender Green. We'll _all_ swim. That's nothing of a swim--" "You can't! You forget--Pola." Sidney wheeled in consternation. "Pola's complex!" The girl was crouched, now, on the deck, an abject, wailing figure. "You go with Lav, Mart," said Sidney in a quiet voice. "I'll stay with Pola." "What do you think I am? I guess I'll stay with her too!" "But your grandmother--" "Oh, gran'ma!" Mart's voice choked. "But she'd be the one to _tell_ me to stay--" "It's no use our all trying it," muttered Lav. "I'll get there or I won't get anywhere." "Maybe it's too far for you to swim!" Sidney was at Lavender's side, her hands on his arm. The boy's form in its light underwear showed pitifully crooked but Sidney saw him straight and she saw the gleam in his eyes. Suddenly she remembered what Vick had said so lightly about the Grail. Ah, she was seeing its gleam now, transcendently beautiful, in Lav's eyes! She dropped her hold of his arm. "You see, I've _got_ to try it, Sid." And she understood. He went on: "I'll swim for the lighthouse. They can telephone from there to Rockman's. You girls find a light and signal with it. Don't lose your nerve, Sid." He poised for an instant on the rail then plunged into the black water. "Oh, _Lav_," cried Sidney. She leaned far over the side of the boat. She could see nothing but a crest of foam. "Mart, he's--he's--drowned!" Pola screamed again. CHAPTER XX "THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG!"