ly overwrought by the events of the morning and his
narrow escape from death, had fallen fainting to the ground; his hands
still clenched in the folds of little Louie's jacket. Will instantly
raised him, when he saw that all danger was over, and he and some of the
others, who had come crowding down the road, very gently and quickly
carried the insensible boy to the house, and laid him on the lounge in
the library; while Peter ran for the housekeeper to aid in bringing him
to life.

Good Mrs. Lockitt hurried up stairs as fast as she could with camphor,
ice water, and everything else she could think of good for fainting.

"Mrs. Lockitt, where is papa?" asked Peter, as he ran on beside her.

"Gone to New York, Master Peter," she replied; "I don't think he will be
home before dinner time."

Our little scapegrace breathed more freely; at least there were a few
hours' safety from detection, and he reentered the library feeling
considerably relieved.

There lay Colonel Freddy, his face white as death; one little hand
hanging lax and pulseless over the side of the lounge, and the ruffled
shirt thrust aside from the broad, snowy chest. Harry stood over him,
fanning his forehead; while poor Louie was crouched in a corner,
sobbing as though his heart would break, and the others stood looking on
as if they did not know what to do with themselves.

Mrs. Lockitt hastened to apply her remedies; and soon a faint color came
back to the cheek, and with a long sigh, the great blue eyes opened once
more, and the little patient murmured, "Where am I?"

"Oh, then he's not killed, after all!" cried Louie, running to his side.
"Dear, dear Freddy! how glad I am you have come to life again!"

This funny little speech made even Freddy laugh, and then Mrs. Lockitt
said, "But, Master Peter, you have not told me yet how it happened that
Master Frederic got in such a way."

The eyes of the whole party became round and saucer-y at once; as, all
talking together, they began the history of their fearful adventure.
Mrs. Lockitt's wiry false curls would certainly have dropped off with
astonishment if they hadn't been sewed fast to her cap, and she fairly
wiped her eyes on her spectacle case, which she had taken out of her
pocket instead of her handkerchief, as they described Freddy's noble
effort to save his helpless companion without thinking of himself. When
the narrative was brought to a close, she could only exclaim, "Well,
Master Freddy, yo