A November storm was raging and there would be a certain satisfaction in breasting its buffets and fighting his way through it . Besides , he knew that Isabel King was in the house and he dreaded meeting her . Since his conviction that she had written that letter to Lynde , he could not tolerate the girl and it tasked his self-control to keep from showing his contempt openly . Perhaps Isabel felt it beneath all his outward courtesy . At least she did not seek his society as she had formerly done . It was the second day of the storm ; a wild northeast gale was blowing and cold rain and freezing sleet fell in frequent showers . Alan shivered as he came out into its full fury on the lake shore . At first he could not see the water through the driving mist . Then it cleared away for a moment and he stopped short , aghast at the sight which met his eyes . Opposite him was a long low island known as Philip 's Point , dwindling down at its northeastern side to two long narrow bars of quicksand . Alan 's horrified eyes saw a small schooner sunk between the bars ; her hull was entirely under water and in the rigging clung one solitary figure . So much he saw before the Point was blotted out in a renewed downpour of sleet . Without a moment 's hesitation Alan turned and ran for Four Winds , which was only about a quarter of a mile away around a headland . With the Captain 's assistance , something might be done . Other help could not be obtained before darkness would fall and then it would be impossible to do anything . He dashed up the steps of Four Winds and met Emily , who had flung the door open . Behind her was Lynde 's pale face with its alarmed questioning eyes . `` Where is the Captain ? '' gasped Alan . `` There 's a vessel on Philip 's Point and one man at least on her . ''
`` The Captain 's away XXXXX a cruise , '' said Emily blankly .
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