afety might come to his beloved
charge in their exposure and peril.

Six or seven hours passed away; at last the wind began to sink, and the
sea to be less violent. The tide was on the turn. The carriage drove
up with more men and lights, and the thoughtful servant brought with him
the school surgeon, Dr Underhay. Long and anxiously did they watch the
ebbing tide, and when it had gone out sufficiently to allow of two stout
planks being fastened securely to the rocks and laid across the channel,
an active sailor ventured over with a light, and in a few moments stood
by Eric's side. Eric saw him coming, but was too weak and numb to move;
and when the sailor lifted up the unconscious Russell from his knees,
Eric was too much exhausted even to speak. The man returned for him,
and lifting him on his back, crossed the plank once more in safety.
Then he carried Russell first and Eric afterwards to the carriage, where
Dr Underhay had taken care to have everything likely to revive and
sustain them. They were driven rapidly to the school, and the Doctor
raised to God tearful eyes of gratitude as the boys were taken to the
rooms prepared for them. Mrs Rowlands was anxiously awaiting their
arrival, and the noise of wheels was the signal for twenty heads to be
put through the dormitory windows, with many an anxious inquiry, "Are
they safe?"

"Yes, thank God!" called Dr Rowlands; "so now, boys, shut the windows,
and get to sleep."

Russell was carefully undressed, and put to bed in the Doctor's own
house, and the wound in his head was dressed. Eric and Montagu had beds
provided them in another room by themselves, away from the dormitories;
the room was bright and cheerful with a blazing fire, and looked like
home; and when the two boys had drunk some warm wine, and cried for
weariness and joy, they sank to sleep after their dangers and fatigues,
and slept the deep, calm, dreamless sleep of tired children.

So ended the perilous adventure of that eventful night of the Easter
holidays.

VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

THE SILVER CORD BROKEN.

Calm on the bosom of thy God,
Fair spirit rest thee now!
E'en while with us thy footsteps trod,
His seal was on thy brow.
_Mrs Hemans_.

They did not awake till noon. Montagu opened his eyes, and at first
could not collect his thoughts, as he saw the carpeted little room, the
bright fire, and the housekeeper seated in her arm-chair before it. But
turning his hea