“You need not worry, dear,” Mrs. Hampton comforted.  “John has common sense, and would not run any useless risk.”

“But he would run any risk for us, I am certain,” Jess declared.  “He would not think of himself when he knew that we were in danger.  He would go through anything for us.”

“I know that, dear,” and Mrs. Hampton looked lovingly into the girl’s sparkling eyes.  “But perhaps he did not know of the fire in time.  Most likely he was very busy about the place, and had little idea that we were in danger.  I shall go now, for there is no time to lose.  You watch by the poor boy.  I don’t like to leave you alone, but there is nothing else to do.  I could not think of sending you, for you would be sure to lose your way.”

Hardly had Mrs. Hampton ceased speaking ere Jess pointed excitedly across to the island.

“Look, look!” she cried.  “Somebody is over there.  He’s standing on the shore, though he doesn’t see us.  I believe it’s John!”

Laying Eben’s head gently upon the ground, she sprang to her feet, hurried down to the edge of the lake, and called across the water.  As she did so, the man on the island started, hurried forward, and looked over to where the girl was standing.

“Are you both safe?” he shouted.

“Yes,” Jess called back.  “But we want help.”

“All right, I’ll be there in a minute.”

The next instant he was into the lake, and headed straight for the island.  Jess watched him with the keenest interest, her eyes aglow with admiration.

“Isn’t he a great swimmer!” she exclaimed, as she turned to Mrs. Hampton, who was now standing by her side.  “I know he would come, didn’t you?”

“Yes, if he possibly could,” was the reply.  “I am so thankful he is here, for he will be able to help us get that poor boy home.”

It took John but a few minutes to swim across that narrow portion of the lake, and when his feet at length touched bottom he waded ashore, the water running in streams from his body.  But the women thought nothing of his personal appearance, so delighted were they to have him with them.

“Mother!  Jess!” he panted.  “How did you get here?”

In reply, Mrs. Hampton pointed to the partly-burned boat, and then turned toward the mine.

“Come,” she simply said, “I want to show you something.”

She led the way, with Jess and John following.  The latter could not keep his eyes off the girl’s face.  He could hardly believe it possible that she was alive, and looking as beautiful as ever, although somewhat pale.  He was like a man who had awakened from a horrible dream, and found that it was not true.

Mrs. Hampton stopped at the entrance of the mine and silently motioned to the prostrate boy.

“Why, it’s Eben Tobin!” John almost shouted the words, so great was his surprise.  “How in the world did he get here?”