The telephone to the mainland was immediately put to good use, and a message sent to a salvage company that would bring a couple of strong sea-going tugs to the scene inside of ten hours.
He was more or less tired when Darry found him, after the boat had been drawn up on the beach, but not housed, since it might be needed again; but this sort of thing was an old story in his life, and in comparison with some of his labors the adventure of the night had been rather tame.
In the morning Darry started across the bay again, homeward bound.
He was sorry to leave the beach, so much was his heart wrapped up in the work of the life savers.
The day was bright and fine after the short storm which had seemed to clear the air wonderfully.
He could see a few boats moving about, some of them oyster sloops or dredgers, other pleasure craft belonging to the rich sportsmen who had already commenced to drift down in pursuit of their regular fall shooting.
Occasionally the distant dull boom of a gun told that a few ducks were paying toll on their passage south.
Darry looked longingly at a splendid motor-boat that went swiftly past him.
The young fellow on board seemed to be having a most delightful time, and it was only natural for any boy to envy him.
It was noon when our hero arrived home. Mrs. Peake was interested in all he had to tell about the trip of the life savers.
"We get used to hearing these things," she said, "but all the same it keeps the wives of the life savers feeling anxious. Some night it happens one of the crew of the lifeboat goes out and does not return. At any time it may be my turn. I know three widows now."
"I think they ought to pick out the unmarried men," remarked Darry, who had himself been considering this very subject.
"They do, I believe, as far as they can; but we must have bread, and the number of available surfmen is small. But those who win their living from the sea learn to expect these things sooner or later. It is only a question of time."
After a bit of lunch Darry was sent to the village on an errand.
This was how he happened to see Jim Dilks again.
The meeting occurred just before Darry reached the grocer's, and as Jim was totally unaware of his coming he had no chance to assume airs.