l bay being formed within the bay.
Still the sea rolled in even there with great force, and the landing was
an undertaking of great difficulty and risk. Mrs Askew heard the men
say that in one respect the boat would gain by the delay, as the tide
was on the point of turning, and would set up Channel with the wind,
thus enabling her to return more speedily, while the sea might not
possibly break so much as it had hitherto been doing. Tom wanted Mrs
Askew and Margery to return to the tower; but, though the rain pelted
down, and the wind blew against them so that they could scarcely stand,
they persisted in awaiting the expected return of the boat.

Now the mist cleared off a little; they peered anxiously out, but no
boat was to be seen. Now it settled down thicker than ever, and all
they could see was billow after billow crested with foam come rolling
in, and breaking with loud roars on the beach, making the very ground
beneath their feet tremble. They stood with their hands clasped
together, Margery partly sheltered by her mother's cloak. As they could
see but a short distance, they listened the more attentively, in the
hope of hearing some sound which might give them notice of the approach
of the boat. At length Margery started, and bent forward; either her
quick ears had distinguished a shout amid the roar of the waters, or she
fancied that she heard one. She waited for some time. "Oh! yes,
mother, it is--it is! I hear a voice--it is papa's! He is shouting!
He is telling the men to do something! I know it is him!" exclaimed
Margery, darting forward. Was it the little girl's fancy, or not?
Surely not her fancy, though no one else heard the voice.

Suddenly the mist again for an instant cleared away, and revealed the
boat on the summit of a billow, close in with the shore. Now is the
time for the men on the beach to exert themselves if they will save the
lives of their friends, though the risk of losing their own is very
great. The strongest secure the ropes round their waists, and prepare
to rush into the sea that they may seize the boat as she touches the
beach, before the sea can draw her back again or those in her.

On comes the boat--the captain steers her with consummate skill; the
brave crew exert themselves to the utmost, yet with difficulty can they
prevent her from being turned broadside to sea, and rolled over on the
beach. Those who are watching hold their breath with anxiety. Margery
and he