"HELP! HELP!"
Their cry of distress ascended to the summit of the cliff.
It was heard; and by one who had lately listened to the same voices,
speaking in tones of the sweetest contentment.
It was he who carried the gun.
After scrambling up the gorge, he had faced northward in the direction
of Easton's Beach; for the reason only that this was his nearest way to
the hotel.
He was reflecting upon the incident that had caused him such a toilsome
detour; though his thoughts were dwelling less upon this than upon the
face of one of the two naiads seen playing in the pool.
It was the one of darker complexion.
Her figure, too, was recalled. In that transitory glance he had
perceived above the water-line, and continued in the translucency
beneath, an outline not easily forgotten. He so well remembered it, as
almost to repent the spasm of delicacy that had caused him to retreat
behind the rock.
This repentance had something to do with the direction he was now
taking.
He had hopes of encountering the bathers as they came up to the summit
of the cliff.
Much time, however, had passed. He could see that the beach was
deserted--the few dark forms appearing upon it being evidently those
solitary creatures of bachelor kind, who become Neptune's guests only at
the second table.
Of course the two mermaids having exchanged their loose aquatic costume
for the more constrained dress of the street, had long since gone home
to the hotel. This was his conjecture.
A cry came to contradict it; close followed by another, and another!
He ran out to the edge of the cliff and looked downward. He could
remember nothing of the landmarks. The tide, now well in, had changed
the look of everything below. The ledges were covered--their position
only to be told by the surf breaking over them.
Once more came up the cry!
Dropping on his knees, he crept closer and closer to the escarped edge--
out to its very brink. Still nothing to be seen below! Neither woman
nor human being. Not a spot on which one might find footing. No beach
above water--no shoal, rock, or ledge, projecting from the precipice--no
standing-place of any kind. Only the dark angry waves, roaring like
enraged lions, and embracing the abutment as though they would drag it
back with them into the abysm of the ocean!
Amidst the crashing and seething, once more ascended the cry! Again,
and again, till it became a continuous chant!
He could not mistake its meaning. The bathers were still below. Beyond
doubt they were in danger.
How could he assist them?
He started to his feet. He looked all round--along the cliff-path, and
across the fields stretching back from the shore.
No house was near--no chance of obtaining a rope.
He turned toward Easton's Beach. There might be a boat there. But
could it be brought in time?
It was doubtful. The cries continuing told him that the peril was
imminent. Those imperilled might be already struggling with the tide!
At this moment he remembered a sloping gorge. It could not be far off.
It was the same by which the young ladies had gone down. He was a
strong swimmer, and knew it. By swimming round into the cove, he might
be able to effect their rescue.
Giving a shout, to assure them that their situation was known, he
started at full speed along the crest of the cliff.
On reaching the ravine, he flung himself into it, and soon reached the
sea-level below.
Without pausing, he turned along the shore, rushing over sand and
shingle, over sharp ledges, and making his way among boulders slippery
with seaweed.
He reached the abutment that flanked one side of the cove, from which he
could now again hear the cries of distress, mingled with the hoarse
shrieking of the sea.
To wade round the point was plainly impossible. The water was
neck-deep, seething and swelling.
Kicking off his boots, and throwing his gun, cap, and coat upon a ledge,
he plunged in, and commenced a struggle with the billows.
It cost him one--his life nearly. Twice was his body borne against the
rock with fearful violence--each time receiving injury in the shock.
He succeeded in rounding the point and reaching the cove beyond, where
the swell broke more smoothly upon a sloping bed.
He now swam with ease; and soon stood in the presence of the bathers,
who, at sight of him, had ceased their cries, believing their danger at
an end.
All were within the grotto, to which they had retreated, as offering the
highest ground. For all this, they were up to the ankles in water!
At his approach they rushed out, wading knee-deep to meet him.
"Oh, sir!" cried the eldest of the young ladies, "you see how we are
situated: can you assist us?"
The swimmer had risen erect. He looked right and left, before making
rejoinder.
"Can you swim?" he asked.
"Not one of us."
"It is bad," he muttered to himself. "Either way, it is doubtful
whether I could carry them through it. It's been as much as I could do
for myself. We'd be almost certain of being crushed. What, in heaven's
name, can be done for them?"
They were thoughts rather than words, and the girls could not know them.
But they saw the stranger's brow clouded with apprehension; and with
eyes straining into his, they stood trembling.
He turned suddenly, and glanced up the cliff. He remembered the seam he
had observed from above. He could now survey it from base to summit.
A gleam of hope flashed over his face. It could be scaled!
"Surely you can climb up there?" he asked, encouragingly.
"No, no! I'm sure we could never go up that way. _I_ could not."
"Nor I."
"You might sustain yourselves by taking hold of the bushes. It is not
so difficult as it appears. Those tufts of grass would help you; and
there are points where you might place your feet. I could climb it
easily myself; but, unfortunately, it would be impossible for me to
assist you. There is not room for two to go up together."
"I am sure I should fall before I was halfway to the top!"
This was said by Cornelia. Julia signified the same. The negress had
no voice. With lips ashy pale, she seemed too much terrified to speak.
"Then there is no alternative but to try swimming," said the stranger,
once more facing seaward, and again scrutinising the surf. "No!" he
added, apparently recoiling from the design, "by swimming I might save
myself, though it is no longer certain. The swell has increased since I
came in here. There's been wind on the sea outside. I'm a fair
swimmer; but to take one of you with me is, I fear, beyond my strength."
"But, sir!" appealed she of the dark eyes, "is it certain we could not
stay here till the tide falls again?"
"Impossible! Look there!" answered he, pointing to the cliff.
There could be no mistaking what he meant. That line trending
horizontally along the facade of the precipice, here and there ragged
with sea-wrack, was the high-water mark of the tide. It was far
overhead!
The girls uttered a simultaneous scream as they stood regarding it. It
was, in truth, the first time they had felt a full sense of their
danger. Hitherto they had been sustained by a hope that the tide would
not mount so high as to submerge them. But there was the tell-tale
track, beyond reach even of their hands!
"Courage!" cried the stranger, his voice all at once assuming a cheerful
tone, as if some bright thought had occurred to him. "You have shawls,
both of you. Let me have them."
Without questioning his purpose, both raised the cashmeres from their
shoulders, and held them out to him.
"A plan has occurred to me," said he, taking out his knife, and cutting
the costly fabric into strips. "I did not think of it before. By the
help of these I may get you up the cliff."
The shawls were soon separated into several bands. These he knotted
together so as to form a long, narrow festoonery.
With eager hands the young ladies assisted him in the operation.
"Now?" he said, as soon as the junction was completed; "by this I can
draw you up, one by one. Who first?"
"Go, cousin!" said she of the dark eyes; "you are lightest. It will be
easier for him in the trial."
As there was no time for either ceremony or dispute, Cornelia accepted
the suggestion. The stranger could have no choice.
The shawl-rope was carefully adjusted around her waist, then with equal
care fastened to his. Thus linked, they commenced climbing the cliff.
Though difficult for both, the scaling proved successful; and the young
girl stood unharmed upon the summit.
She made no demonstration of joy. Her cousin was still below--still in
danger!
Once again down the gorge by which he had before descended. Once more
around the rock, battling with the breakers--and again safe in the
shelter of the cove.
The shawl-rope flung down from above had been caught by those below; and
was for the second time put into requisition.
In like manner was Julia rescued from the danger of drowning!
But the efforts of the rescuer did not end here. His was a gallantry
that had nought to do with the colour of the skin.
For the third time his life was imperilled, and the negress stood safe
upon the summit of the cliff--to unite with the young ladies in the
expression of their gratitude.
"We can never sufficiently thank you," said she of the bistre-coloured
eyes.
"Oh, never!" exclaimed her companion with the irides of azure.
"Another favour, sir," said the first speaker. "It seems quite a shame
to ask it. But we shall be so laughed at if this become known. Would
it be too much to request, that nothing be said of our very unpleasant
adventure?"
"There shall be nothing said by me," responded the rescuer. "Of that,
ladies, you may rest assured."
"Thanks!--a thousand thanks! Indeed, we are greatly indebted to you.
Good-day, sir!"
With a bow, dark eyes turned away from the cliff along the path leading
to the Ocean House. A somewhat deeper sentiment was observed in the
orbs of blue; though their owner took leave without giving it
expression.
The confusion arising from their late alarm might perhaps plead their
excuse.
None was needed by the negress.
"God bress you, brave massa! God bress you!" were her parting words--
the only ones that appeared to be spoken in true gratitude.