"Yellow Jake! the alligator!"
They were all the words I could utter. My mother entreated an
explanation; I could not stay to give it. Frantic with apprehension, I
tore myself away, leaving her in a state of terror that rivalled my own.
I ran towards the hommock--the bath. I wait not to follow the devious
route of the walk, but keep straight on, leaping over such obstacles as
present themselves. I spring across the paling, and rush through the
orangery, causing the branches to crackle and the fruit to fall. My
ears are keenly bent to catch every sound.
Behind are sounds enough: I hear my mother's voice uttered in accents of
terror. Already have her cries alarmed the house, and are echoed and
answered by the domestics, both females and men. Dogs, startled by the
sudden excitement, are baying within the enclosure, and fowls and caged
birds screech in concert.
From behind come all these noises. It is not for them my ears are bent;
I am listening _before_ me.
In this direction I now hear sounds. The plashing of water is in my
ears, and mingling with the tones of a clear silvery voice--it is the
voice of my sister! "Ha, ha, ha!" The ring of laughter! Thank Heaven,
she is safe!