ncied that I could hear the roaring and hissing of the
flames, they were already so near, when a shout reached our ears.

"They are coming! they are coming!" cried Kitty; "but oh, I fear the
fire will overtake them before they can gain the rock. I see them! I
see them! It is dreadfully close!" She gasped for breath. Then she
rose to her feet, and waved her white handkerchief, hoping that it might
be distinguished through the gloom, for she in vain tried to cry out in
answer to the shout we had heard. The glare of the approaching fire
fell on her figure. At that moment a man dashed up the rock--it was
Edward Falconer. He could only utter, "You are safe, dearest!" and sank
on the ground. Kitty stooped down and tried to raise him, pouring some
water from the flask into his mouth. He speedily revived. Three other
men followed him--the first was Dick; he seized me in his arms, and gave
me a hug and put me down on the rock, and then he and the rest dashed
back towards the flames, and began with their guns to beat and trample
down the surrounding grass. The mate joined them, but the flames
quickly reached the spot, and in a few minutes we were surrounded by a
sea of fire. Dick sheltered me in his arms, and Edward Falconer
supported Kitty in the very centre of the rock, turning their backs to
the scorching flames from which they attempted to shield us. The smoke
curled round our heads, and we had great difficulty in breathing. I
could not help crying out from the pain of suffocation, which made Dick
almost distracted. He first lifted me up above his head, that I might
get more air; and when he could support me no longer, he threw a
handkerchief over my face, and held me in his arms as a mother would her
child.

How long we stood thus I do not know; it seemed a very long time. At
length the fire had burned up all the grass around us, and the smoke
grew less. Still it was impossible to reach the harbour, and might be
so for many hours to come.

The whole party sat down on the rock, Miss Kitty inviting me to come to
her, while Edward Falconer sat by her side.

"As you like, Miss," said Dick; "but I would not give him up to any one
else."

"I hope the rest got off safe, as they were not far from the shore,"
observed one of the men. "But I say, Dick, I wonder what has become of
the beasts you and Mr Falconer killed?"

"They must be well roasted, at all events," answered Dick. "The sun
won't have been long