Teetoncey

Although the girl, named Teetoncey, becomes part of his family, she will not utter a single word. Even as warm clothes and hot broth revive her battered body, her memories stay locked away in the shadows of the storm.

Doc Meekins warns that the violent blow on the sandbar may have left her permanently mute. While the islanders wonder if her mind will ever heal, Ben refuses to give up on the fragile castaway.

Hoping to stir some spark of recognition, he takes her across the wind-swept flats in his two-wheeled cart, showing her the wild marsh ponies and circling gulls. Yet the frightened survivor only stares out across the shoals, watching the surf in silence.

• Unlikely Hero: Eager to live up to his late father's legendary courage, young Ben takes on the daily responsibility of looking after the frightened stranger when the island lifesavers have no place to house her.


• Survival at Sea: When the British vessel Malta Empress breaks apart on a treacherous sandbar, Keeper Filene Midgett and the Heron Head crew race into the storm to search for survivors along the debris-strewn beach.


• Historical Adventure: Set during the heroic era of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, the narrative captures the authentic grit of coastal life, from sand pony patrols and beach signal flares to homemade shad boats on the sound.


• Identity and Self-Discovery: A faded tailor's label sewn into a soaked dress offers the only clue to the mute girl's background, leading Ben to pore over London travel guides to piece together her former life.


• Also by This Author: Timothy of the Cay, Ice Drift and The Maldonado Miracle.