"
She was still, after having had it fixed, kneeling down, searching
for a form for telegraphing, when the door was opened, and in came
Colonel Brownlow, looking very pale and fearfully shocked.
"Ellen!" he began, "how shall I ever tell that poor child? Here is
Mr. Acton."
But at that moment up sprang Mother Carey, and as Mr. Acton entered
the room she leapt forward—-
"Oh! I was just going to telegraph! They are safe! they are here!
Jock, Jock!"
And downstairs came tumbling and rushing that same little imp, while
the astonishment of his uncle and aunt only allowed them to utter the
one word, "John!"
Mr. Acton drew a long breath, and said, "You have given us a pretty
fright, boy."
"Here's the paper," added Carey; "telegraph to Clara at once. Ring
the bell, Jock; I'll send to the office."
Ail questions were suspended while Mr. Acton wrote the telegram, and
then it appeared that the boat had been picked up empty, with
Armine's pocket-handkerchief full of shells in it, and the boys had
been given up for lost, it having been concluded that, if they had
been seen, the boat also would have been taken in tow, and not cast
loose to tell the tale. The two elder boys were almost broken-
hearted, and would have been wild to come back to their mother, had
it not been impossible to leave poor little Barbara, who clung fast
to them, as the only shreds left to her of home and protection.
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