s arm, and he
cautiously led her down a rude path, which was faintly marked a few
hundred yards from the lonely cottage where they had been. "Are we safe
now, do you think?"

"Yes, quite safe, Violet, I trust. They will not dare pursue me, now
that their guns are gone, and I have this loaded one in my hand."

"Dear brave Mr Kennedy. How shall I ever thank you enough for having
saved my life so nobly? If you had not been so strong and watchful, we
should both have now been killed."

"I would die a thousand deaths," he whispered, "to save you from the
least harm, Violet. But you are tired, you must rest here till the
dawn. Sit under this rock, dearest, and cover yourself with my plaid.
I will keep watch still."

She sat down wearily, and her head sank upon the rock. The storm was
over: the thunder was still muttering like a baffled enemy in the
distance, but the wind after its late fury was sobbing gently and
fitfully like a repentant child. The rock gave her shelter, and after
her fatigue and agitation she was sleeping peacefully, while Kennedy
bowed down his head, and thanked God for the merciful protection which
He had extended to them.

He had not been seated long when his eye caught the light of torches,
being waved at a distance in the direction of the hotel. In an instant,
he felt sure that Julian was come out to search for them, and gently
awakening Violet, he told her with a thrill of joy that help was at
hand. The torches drew nearer the place where they were seated, and he
raised a joyous shout. As yet they were too far off to hear him, but
suddenly it occurred to him to fire his gun. The flash and echoing
report attracted their notice; the torches grew rapidly nearer; he could
almost see the dark figures of those who carried them; and now in answer
to his second shout came the hurried sound of familiar voices, and in
five minutes more Julian and his father had grasped him by the hands,
and Cyril had flung his arms round Violet's neck.

And now at last Kennedy gave way to his emotion, and his highly-wrought
feelings found relief in a burst of passionate tears. It was no time
for questionings. Julian passed his arm round his sister's waist, and,
aided by Mr Kennedy, half-carried her to their hotel. Kennedy leaned
heavily on the guide's arm; the honest landlord, who accompanied the
searching party, carried the plaid, the alpenstock, and one of the guns,
and Cyril, impressed by the strange sc