Poor Davy could not sleep , but all night long wandered from the tower to the door , watching , calling , and wondering ; but Dan did not come . At sunrise he put out the light , and , having trimmed it for the next night , ate a little breakfast , and roved about the island hoping to see some sign of Dan . The sun drew up the fog at last ; and he could see the blue bay , the distant town , and a few fishing-boats going out to sea . But nowhere was the island-boat with gray Old Dan in it ; and Davy 's heart grew heavier and heavier , as the day passed , and still no one came . In the afternoon Gulliver appeared : to him Davy told his trouble , and the three friends took counsel together . `` There is no other boat ; and I could n't row so far , if there was : so I ca n't go to find Dan , '' said David sorrowfully . `` I 'd gladly swim to town , if I could ; but it 's impossible to do it , with wind and tide against me . I 've howled all day , hoping some one would hear me ; but no one does , and I 'm discouraged , '' said Nep , with an anxious expression . `` I can do something for you ; and I will , with all my heart . I 'll fly to town , if I do n't see him in the bay , and try to learn what has become of Dan . Then I 'll come and tell you , and we will see what is to be done next . Cheer up , Davy dear : I 'll bring you tidings , if any can be had . '' With these cheerful words , away sailed Gulliver , leaving Nep and his master to watch and wait again . The wind blew hard , and the broken wing was not quite well yet , else Gulliver would have been able to steer clear of a boat that came swiftly by . A sudden gust drove the gull so violently against the sail that he dropped breathless into the boat ; and a little girl caught him , before he could recover himself . `` Oh , what a lovely bird ! See his black cap , his white breast , dove-colored wings , red legs and bill , and soft , bright eyes . I wanted a gull ; and I 'll keep this one , for I do n't think he is much hurt . '' Poor Gulliver struggled , pecked and screamed ; but little Dora held him fast , and shut him in a basket till they reached the shore . Then she put him in a lobster pot , -- a large wooden thing , something like a cage , -- and left him on the lawn , where he could catch glimpses of the sea , and watch the light-house tower , as he sat alone in this dreadful prison .
If Dora had known the truth , she would have let him go , and done her best to help him ; but she could not understand his speech , as XXXXX did , for very few people have the power of talking with birds , beasts , insects , and plants .
David Davy Dora Gulliver Nep day fishing-boats island-boat left light-house