board.

I tied it into my handkerchief, opened, and swung it down to her, and
she got her lips around it and coughed it down. It acted instantly and
she could move a little, and while I encouraged her, and after several
heartrending failures, which nearly spilled all the brandy, she got it
into his mouth between his teeth, as his big body swung in the noose.
It ran over his chin and down his neck, but a little got in, and his
eyelids quivered. Soon he coughed, and I dared not wait another
second.

"I am going for Caliban," I said very distinctly, "we will pull you
out in a few minutes. Let him alone and hang on, do you hear? Don't
scream any more--you are safe. Pour all the brandy into him--tell him
he is tied fast. Don't try to move--you may slip, and tear your skirt.
Hold on!"

Then I turned my back on them and ran, or rather stumbled off. I
leaned over and kissed her forehead, first.

I remember muttering, "I never asked before--if You or Anybody is
there, save them! Take me and save them!" and then I stumbled on and
on....

It was not too long. Caliban was coming with his big wood-sled and
more rope and blankets, and as I caught sight of him the most
extraordinary thought flew into my mind, which worked with a dreadful
clearness, for I saw them stiffen and sink and slip away every second.
Rosy bayed just then, and as my heart sank, for I thought they were
gone, it suddenly occurred to me what Rosy's name must have been!

"It's _Rosencrantz_!" I muttered, "and the one Margarita insists was
called 'Gildy' was _Guildenstern_, and they were _Hamlet's_
friends--poor Prynne!" Perhaps that wasn't idiotic--I laughed as I
stumbled along!

Well, they were there, and Roger was enough himself to strike out with
his feet a little and avoid hindering us, if he couldn't help much. I
made another noose for her, and she hung in it while Caliban dragged
him up--the fellow had the strength of an ox and showed wonderful
dexterity--and later crawled down the rocks and cut her skirt through
with his big clasp-knife. She was the hardest to move, for her foot
was caught--all that saved her. I thought we should break her ankle
before we could get her.

We laid them on the sledge, wrapped in blankets, poured in more
brandy, and Caliban attached Rosy to it by his collar--an old trick of
his, it seems--and they dragged us all home, for my worthless legs
gave out completely.

Miss Jencks and Agnes rubbed them and mustard-bathed the