ready to do us a good turn, if we need
it."

"We shall not be floated off to the bay, shall we?" asked Mrs. Smiley,
trying to smile too.

"Not afore the tide turns, certain."

"It seems to me that I should feel safer anywhere than here. Unseen
dangers always are harder to battle with, even in imagination. I do not
wish to put you to any further trouble; but I should not mind the storm
and the open boat so much as seeing my house going to pieces, with me in
it--and Willie."

"I've been a-thinkin'," replied Chillis, "that the house, arter all,
ain't goin' to be much protection, with the water splashin' under foot,
an' the wind an' rain drivin' in on that side where the chimney is took
away. It's an awful pity such a neat, nice little place should come to
grief, like this--a real snug little home!"

"And what else were you thinking?"--bringing him back to the subject of
expedients.

"You mentioned goin' to the landin'. Well, we can't go there; for I
doubt ef I could find the way in the dark, with the water over the tops
of the bushes on the creek bank. Besides, in broad daylight it would be
tough work, pullin' agin' the flood; an' I had the misfortin to hurt my
shoulder, tryin' to right my boat in the bay, which partly disables me,
I am sorry to say; for I should like to put my whole strength to your
service."

"O, Mr. Chillis!--say no more, I beg. How selfish I am! when you have
been so kind--with a bruise on your shoulder, and all! Cannot I do
anything for you? I have liquor in the closet, if you would like to
bathe with it."

"See--she moves again!" cried he, as the house swayed yet further away
from the smouldering fire. "I've heard of 'abandonin' one's
hearth-stone;' but I'd no idea that was the way they done it."

"I had best get the brandy, any way, I think. We may need it, if we are
forced to go into the boat. But do let me do something for you now, Mr.
Chillis? It seems cruel, that you have been in your wet clothes for
hours, and tired and bruised besides."

"Thankee--'tain't no use!"--as she offered him the brandy-flask. "The
lady down at the landin' put on a plaster, as you can see for
yourself"--throwing back the corner of a cloth cape the woman had placed
over his shoulders, to cover the rent in his coat. "The doctor will have
to fix it up, I reckon; for it is cut up pretty bad with the iron."

Mrs. Smiley turned suddenly sick. She was just at that stage of
excitement when "a rose-leaf on the b