`` A heavy fog is blowing up : we shall want the bell to-night , and I must be off at once . I shall be back before dark , of course ; so take care of yourself , boy , '' said Dan . Away went the little boat ; and the fog shut down over it , as if a misty wall had parted Davy from his uncle . As it was dull weather , he sat and read for an hour or two ; then fell asleep , and forgot everything till Nep 's cold nose on his hand waked him up . It was nearly dark ; and , hoping to find Dan had come , he ran down to the landing-place . But no boat was there , and the fog was thicker than ever . Dan never had been gone so long before , and Davy was afraid something had happened to him . For a few minutes he was in great trouble ; then he cheered up , and took courage . `` It is sunset by the clock ; so I 'll light the lamp , and , if Dan is lost in the fog , it will guide him home , '' said Davy . Up he went , and soon the great star shone out above the black-topped light-house , glimmering through the fog , as if eager to be seen . Davy had his supper , but no Dan came . He waited hour after hour , and waited all in vain . The fog thickened , till the lamp was hardly seen ; and no bell rung to warn the ships of the dangerous rocks . 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 XXXXX , with an anxious expression .
Dan Davy Gulliver Nep fishing-boats hour landing-place light-house night to-night