“Don’t be afraid,” Kate answered.  “After all, you know, we can only die once, and life isn’t worth making such a tremendous fuss over.”

“I do not want to die,” Jeanne objected, “and I do not like this at all.”

Kate laughed contemptuously.

“Sit still,” she said, “and you are as safe as though you were in your own armchair.  No current that ever ran could upset this clumsy raft.  The only reason I am working so hard is that I do not want to be carried down past the ridges.  If we get too low down we shall have to walk across the black mud.”

Jeanne kept silence, listening only to the swirl of the water struck by the pole, and to the quick breathing of her companion.  Once she asked whether she could not help.

“There is no need,” Kate answered.  “Shine your torch on the left.  We are nearly across.”

Almost as she spoke they struck the sandy bottom.  Jeanne fell into the bottom of the boat.  Kate, with a little laugh, sprang ashore and held out her hand.

“Come,” she said, “we have crossed the worst part now.”

“Where are we going?” Jeanne asked, a little relieved as she felt her feet land on the sodden turf.

“Towards the Hall,” Kate answered.  “Give me your hand, if you like, or use your torch.  The way is simple enough, but we must twist and turn to-night.  It has been a flood tide, and there are great pools left here and there, pools that you have never seen before.”

“But how do you know?” Jeanne asked, in amazement.  “I can see nothing.”

Her guide laughed contemptuously.

“I can see and I can feel,” she said.  “It is an instinct with me to walk dry-footed here.  To the right now—­so.”

“Stand still for a moment,” Jeanne pleaded.  “The wind takes my breath.”

“You have too many clothes on,” Kate said contemptuously.  “One should not wear skirts and petticoats and laces here.”

“If you would leave my clothes alone and tell me where you are going,” Jeanne declared, a little tartly, “it would be more reasonable.”

The girl laughed.  She thrust her arm through her companion’s and drew her on.

“Don’t be angry,” she said.  “It is quite easy now to find our way.  There is room for us to walk like this.  Can you hear what I say to you?”

“I can hear,” Jeanne answered, raising her voice, “but it is getting more difficult all the time.  Is that the sea?”

“Yes!” Kate answered.  “Can’t you feel the spray on your cheeks?  The wind is blowing it high up above the beach.  Let me go first again.  There is an inlet here.  Be careful.”

They came to a full stop before a dark arm of salt water.  They skirted the side and crossed round to the other side.

“Be careful, now,” Kate said.  “This way.”

They turned inland.  In a few minutes her guide stopped short.

“Turn on your torch,” she said.  “There ought to be a wall close here.”