o help themselves, and in their mad struggle
for life caught hold of him and so impeded his movements that he was
like to perish with them.

Mean while Lulu had reached the top of the cliff, then the veranda where
the older members of the family party were seated, and, all out of
breath with fright and the exertion of climbing and running, she
faltered out, "Bob and Betty; they'll drown if they don't get help
quickly."

"What, are they in the water?" cried Mr. Dinsmore and Captain Raymond,
simultaneously springing to their feet; the latter adding, "I fear
they'll drown before we can possibly get help to them."

"Oh, yes; they're drowning now," sobbed Lulu; "but Harold's gone to help
them."

"Harold? He's lost if he tries it alone!" "The boy's mad to think of
such a thing!" exclaimed Mr. Dinsmore and Edward in a breath, while
Elsie's cheek turned deathly pale, and her heart went up in an agonized
cry that her boy's life might be spared; the others also.

The gentlemen held a hasty consultation, then scattered, Mr. Dinsmore
hastening in search of other aid, while Captain Raymond and Edward
hurried to the beach, the ladies following with entreaties to them to be
careful.

But fortunately for the endangered ones, other aid had already reached
them--a boat that had come out from Nantucket for a moonlight sail, and
from the shore a noble Newfoundland dog belonging to a retired sea
captain. Strolling along the beach with his master, he heard the cries
for help, saw the struggling forms, and instantly plunging in among the
waves, swam to the rescue.

Seizing Betty by the hair, he held her head above water till the
sailboat drew near and strong arms caught hold of her and dragged her
in, pale, dripping, and seemingly lifeless.

They then picked up the young men, both entirely unconscious, and made
for the shore with all possible haste.

It was doubtful if the last spark of life had not been extinguished in
every one of the three; but the most prompt, wise, and vigorous measures
were instantly taken and continued for hours--hours of agonizing
suspense to those who loved them.

At length Bob gave unmistakable signs of life; and shortly after Betty
sighed, opened her eyes, and asked, feebly, "Where am I? what has
happened?"

But Harold still lay as one dead, and would have been given up as such
had not his mother clung to hope, and insisted that the efforts at
restoration should be continued.

Through the whole try