upon his hand, before an open book, sat still and
pale through the long long night, until in the gray dawn, a soft little
hand upon his shoulder, and a warm kiss upon his cheek, aroused him from
his reverie.

CHAPTER XII.

There was a large rock, about a mile to the left of the town of D----,
which was surrounded by numerous small ones. This place was called the
wrecker's reef, and was covered at high water, but when the tide was
low, Isabel and the others often went there to get shells. They had to
be careful to watch the rise of the tide, as, long before the rock was
covered the retreat was cut off by the water surrounding the largest
rock, like an island, this island gradually diminished, until, when the
tide was in it was several feet under water, this part of the coast was
very little frequented. One afternoon when they had been at D---- about
three weeks or a month, having obtained the shells they wished for, they
sat down on the rocks to rest, Isabel began relating a tale she had
lately read, and they were all so much interested, that they had not
observed that the tide was fast coming in, nor was it until the rock was
quite surrounded that they did so. The terrified children clung around
Isabel entreating her to save them, while Emily scarcely less alarmed,
screamed aloud for help, but it was not very likely that her cries for
assistance would be heard in that lonely place, and their danger became
more imminent, as a stiff breeze had sprung up, and the surge round the
reef was becoming very heavy, and even should they be observed, the
passage from the beach to the reef was so dangerous, that only a skilful
and experienced hand could possibly succeed in rescuing them from their
perilous situation, so that although there was a small boat moored on
the beach it did not afford them much consolation. They were constantly
drenched with spray, and were quite aware that the reef would be covered
with water ere long.

"Oh dearest Isabel, what shall we do," asked Emily, looking ghastly
white, and shaking like an aspen.

"The water will wash us all away, and then we shall all be drowned,"
cried little Amy.

"And we shall never see papa and mamma any more,' added Rose. Alice
stood perfectly quiet, (after the first moment of their surprise when
she had clung to Isabel with the rest) her large eyes fixed upon Isabel
with an expression that spoke volumes.

"I fear there is no escape," said Isabel, in as calm a