She would not be seen again till dead low water.

Then we hove the oars into the bushes.

Maybe it was all useless, but we would leave nothing to be spied which might bring the men to the island sooner than needful.
That took only a few minutes, but in them I cannot tell how many wild plans for Gerda's safety went through my mind.

Beyond the bare chance which lay in getting to the hillside and trying to keep out of sight of the men when they landed, there seemed to be nothing we could do.
Now, along the little shore path came Gerda to seek us, smiling at our haste.

The boat she missed at once, and looked round for it.
"Why, what has become of the boat ?" she asked.