The Child Wife. Майн Рид
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 façade 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