But it is n't any use . The cross-currents on that reef are too powerful . '' `` Why , Don will bring that line ashore ! '' exclaimed Curtis . `` Here , Don ! Don , I say ! '' The dog bounded back along the shore with a quick bark . Curtis grasped him by the collar and pointed to the stick which young Stockton had just hurled again into the water . Don , with another bark of comprehension , dashed into the sea . The onlookers , grasping the situation , gave a cheer and then relapsed into silence . Only the shriek of the gale and the crash of the waves could be heard as they watched the magnificent dog swimming out through the breakers , his big black head now rising on the crest of a wave and now disappearing in the hollow behind it . When Don finally reached the tossing stick , grasped it in his mouth and turned shoreward , another great shout went up from the beach . A woman behind Curtis , whose husband was on the schooner , dropped on her knees on the pebbles , sobbing and thanking God . Curtis himself felt the stinging tears start to his eyes . When Don reached the shore he dropped the stick at Curtis 's feet and gave himself a tremendous shake . Curtis caught at the stick , while a dozen men and women threw themselves bodily on Don , hugging him and kissing his wet fur like distracted creatures . Old Paul Stockton was among them . Over his shoulder Don 's big black head looked up , his eyes asking as plainly as speech what all this fuss was about . Meanwhile some of the men had already pulled a big hawser ashore and made it fast . In half an hour the crew of the Amy Reade were safe on shore , chilled and dripping .
Before they were hurried away to warmth and shelter , old Paul Stockton XXXXX Curtis 's hand .
caught disappearing exclaimed grasped grasping sobbing start swimming thanking tossing