It 's not Ev , of course , but suppose it were ! That 's a good girl . '' Prue , with set face , had brought the lantern , resolutely choking back the words of fear and protest that rushed to her lips . They hurried down to the shore and Natty sprang into the little skiff he used for rowing . He hastily lashed the lantern in the stern , cast loose the painter , and lifted the oars . `` I 'll be back as soon as possible , '' he called to Prue . `` Wait here for me . '' In a minute the shore was out of sight , and Natty found himself alone in the black fog , with no guide but the cries for help , which already were becoming fainter . They seemed to come from the direction of Little Bear , and thither Natty rowed . It was a tough pull , and the water was rough enough for the little dory . But Natty had been at home with the oars from babyhood , and his long training and tough sinews stood him in good stead now . Steadily and intrepidly he rowed along . The water grew rougher as he passed out from the shelter of Blue Point into the channel between the latter and Little Bear . The cries were becoming very faint . What if he should be too late ? He bent to the oars with all his energy . Presently , by the smoother water , he knew he must be in the lea of Little Bear . The cries sounded nearer . He must already have rowed nearly a mile . The next minute he shot around a small headland and right before him , dimly visible in the faint light cast by the lantern through the fog , was an upturned boat with two men clinging to it , one on each side , evidently almost exhausted .
Natty rowed cautiously up XXXXX the one nearest him , knowing that he must be wary lest the grip of the drowning man overturn his own light skiff .
around by for if in into nearer on through to