"Miss Standish!" For a moment they stood staring at each other through the darkness, wordless, breathing hard.

Their quick breath and the trickling of fifty runnels of water from Gavin's drenched clothes into the bottom of the once-tidy boat alone broke the tense stillness of sky and bay.

Then: "You're safe?
You're not harmed ?" panted the girl.
And the words brought back with a rush to Gavin Brice all he had been through.
"Yes," he made harsh answer trying to steady his rage-choked voice.

"I am safe.

I am not harmed.