Billy Topsail was carried swiftly along by the wind. It was clear to him that, should he diverge from the path of the gust, not only would he be unable to find the lost boy, but he himself would be in hopeless case. The wind swept him close upon Archie's track, but, as its force wasted, ever more slowly. He soon tripped over an obstruction, and plunged forward on his face. He recovered, and crawled back. There he came upon Archie, lying in a heap, half covered by a drift of snow.
Archie opened his eyes. Billy Topsail looked close, but could see no light of intelligence in them. He shook the boy violently.
Billy lifted him to his feet, but there was no strength in the lad's legs; he was limp as a drunken man. But this exertion restored Billy Topsail; he felt his own strength returning--a strength which the arduous toil of the coast had mightily developed.
"Stand up, b'y!" he shouted in Archie's ear. "Put your arm on my shoulder. I'll help you along."
"No," Archie muttered. But despite this protest he was lifted up; then he said: "Give me your hand. I'm all right."
Billy wasted no words. He locked his arms about Archie's middle, lifted him, and staggered forward against the wind.
The wind had fallen somewhat, and he made some progress. But the burden was heavy, and twice he fell. Then he heard Bill o' Burnt Bay's voice, and he shouted a response, but the wind carried the words away. He could hear Bill, who was to windward, but Bill could not hear him. So when the call came again, he marked the location and staggered in that direction.
The voice was nearer--and to the left. Billy Topsail changed his course. The next cry came from the right again. Was the wind deceiving him? Or was Bill changing his place? Then came a ringing cry near at hand.
Bill's great body emerged from the darkness. He cried out joyfully as he rushed forward, took Archie from Billy's arms, and slung him over his shoulder.
"Praise God!" he muttered tremulously, when he felt life stirring in the small body.
He put his face close to Billy Topsail's and looked steadily into the boy's eyes for an instant; and no words were needed to say what he meant.
[Illustration: "WE'RE SAVED!" SAID BILL.]
But where was the hummock? Bill looked about.