as her three friends
took to their heels, and, without even turning to look at her, dashed
across the narrow belt of dry land which led between two channels to the
safer bank of shingle beyond.

"The cowards! The mean cowards!" cried Muriel, white with anger and
alarm. "Patty, are you going too?"

"Not without you," replied Patty, sturdily. "Here, I'll help you up,
Muriel, and we must push on, even if we have to wade. Catch hold of my
arm again, and try to walk."

"It hurts so; my foot won't hold me. Oh, the pain is so bad, I must stop
for a minute!"

Patty looked round desperately. Their situation was indeed most
dangerous. The one path to safety was already covered, and even if they
were able to hurry on fast, it was doubtful whether they would be able
to wade to the shore. They were cut off on every side, and their little
island was each moment diminishing in size.

"We must climb on to these rocks," she exclaimed. "Let us scramble up
the tallest; perhaps it may be above high-water mark. Put your arms
round my neck, Muriel, and I'll carry you as well as I can."

Almost sinking under her cousin's weight, Patty staggered along till she
reached the jagged, seaweed-covered rock, which she hoped might afford
them a temporary place of security. Groaning with pain, Muriel managed
with Patty's help to drag herself slowly to the summit.

"Why did I come?" she said. "It was all Vera's fault. She persuaded us
to go, and then kept taking us a little farther and a little farther
every time we wanted to turn back. We shall be drowned; I know we
shall."

"I don't think so," returned Patty hopefully. "The top of the rock is
quite dry, as if it weren't covered at high tide. I believe we shall be
safe, only we may have to stop here for a very long while."

"Let us call for help," suggested Muriel.

Both girls shouted at the pitch of their voices again and again, but
there was no response, except from the sea birds which they disturbed
on the adjacent cliffs.

[Illustration: "THEY WERE CUT OFF ON EVERY SIDE"]

"How long shall we have to stay here?" enquired Muriel presently.

"Why, until the water goes down again."

"When will it go down?"

"What time is it now?" asked Patty.

Muriel consulted the little watch which she wore in a strap on her
wrist.

"Exactly six o'clock," she replied.

"Then it will be high tide about eight or nine, I suppose, and I don't
think it will be low again until nearly midnight, or ear