ave you
raised the alarm?"

"I told the lifeboat people, sir, and then ran on."

"I will set off myself at once," said the Doctor, seizing his hat.
"But, my poor boy, how pale and ill you look, and you are wet through
too. You had better change your clothes at once, or go to bed."

"Oh no, sir," said Montagu pleadingly; "do take me with you."

"Very well; but you must change first, or you may suffer in consequence.
Make all haste, and directly you are dressed, a cup of tea shall be
ready for you down here, and we will start."

Montagu was off in an instant, and only stopped on his way to tell
Duncan and the others of the danger which threatened their companions.
The absence of the three boys from tea and lock-up had already excited
general surmise, and Montagu's appearance, jacketless and wet, at the
door of the boarders' room, at once attracted a group round him. He
rapidly told them how things stood, and, hastening off, left them nearly
as much agitated as himself. In a very short time he presented himself
again before Dr Rowlands, and when he had with difficulty swallowed the
cup of tea, they sallied out.

It was pitch dark, and only one or two stars were seen at intervals
struggling through the ragged masses of cloud. The wind howled in
fitful gusts, and as their road led by the sea-side, Montagu shuddered
to hear how rough and turbulent the sea was, even on the sands. He
stumbled once or twice, and then the Doctor kindly drew his trembling
arm through his own, and made him describe the whole occurrence, while
the servant went on in front with the lantern. When Montagu told how
Eric had braved the danger of reaching his friend at the risk of his
life, Dr Rowlands's admiration was unbounded. "Fine lad!" he
exclaimed, with enthusiasm; "I shall find it hard to believe any evil of
him after this."

They reached Ellan, and went to the boathouse.

"Have you put out the lifeboat?" said Dr Rowlands anxiously.

"Ill luck, sir," said one of the sailors, touching his cap; "the
lifeboat went to a wreck at Port Vash two days ago, and she hasn't been
brought round again yet."

"Indeed! but I do trust you have sent out another boat to try and save
those poor boys."

"We've been trying, sir, and a boat has just managed to start; but in a
sea like that it's very dangerous, and it's so dark and gusty that I
doubt it's no use, so I expect they'll put back."

The Doctor sighed deeply. "Don't alarm any other peopl