e up
to the side, and looked at it all over. Then he turned to my father,
and said something about not being able to thank--and at this point
broke down in a manner that was so singularly infectious, that no one
was found able to break the silence at first.

My father said presently, however, "You must carry him off to sea,
George; and I shall call you to account if those pale cheeks don't
gather roses from the crests of the waves."

Then we drew up the anchor of the little yacht, and pushed off from the
shore. A basket of provisions had been placed in the boat, and before we
had been very long out at sea, George insisted upon its being unpacked,
threatening Aleck that he should be reported as insubordinate unless he
consumed precisely the quantity of wine and the whole amount of cold
chicken dealt out to him.

"Willie," whispered my cousin to me, after dutifully doing his best at
the luncheon, "I want very much indeed to go to the White-Rock Cove--do
you think George will let us?"

Certainly I did _not_ think so, but Aleck wished it, and that was quite
enough to make me join earnestly in his entreaties that we should turn
the boat's head round in the direction he wished.

Groves consented at last, but not without many misgivings, the
White-Rock Cove being, he said, about the last place he'd have thought
of taking us to; and sentiments to the same effect were respectfully
echoed by Ralph, who, in my private belief, had held the place in
superstitious horror ever since the 20th of September.

All of us, however, yielded as a matter of course when it was found
Aleck had set his mind upon it; and the wind being favourable, we were
not very long in rounding Braycombe headland.

Once in the Cove, my cousin asked me to land with him, requesting George
and Ralph to leave us ashore a little while.

"It must have been almost exactly here, I think," said Aleck, leading
the way to the spot which I remembered only too vividly, and glancing
round to assure himself that our companions were out of sight. "Willie,
I want us to thank God here, on the very spot--there's no one to see
us--let us kneel down."

We knelt together at the foot of the White Rock; Aleck, who was still
very weak, leaning against me for support. They were only a few childish
words he said, but they came from a full heart; and I never remember in
later life any liturgical service in church or cathedral that stirred my
feelings more deeply than that simpl