But as they did so the light suddenly reappeared, the time close to the shore.
Once more, with frantic energy, they raised their signal of distress, and after a moment's terrible silence had the joy of hearing a faint shout across the water.
"It's a boat!" cried Braintree.

"Whistle again to show them where we are." Again and again they whistled, and again and again the responsive shout, growing ever nearer, came back.

Presently they could even distinguish the sound of oars, and at length the dim outline of a boat loomed across the entrance of the gulf.
"Where are you ?" shouted a voice in the familiar tones of the Raveling coastguard.
"Here.

We can see you.

We're on the ledge here, Thomson!" In a few seconds the boat was alongside, and the three boys were safely lifted into it.
"Where's the rest of you ?" asked Thomson, as coolly as if this sort of thing was an everyday occurrence with him.