was drawn across the gangway. It frightened
her. She stepped quickly aside, and fell into the water.

Oh! the agony of that moment! Her uncle and aunt could not aid her. He
besought the people near him to take the infant from his arms, that he
might leap into the water to attempt the rescue of the child; but they
would not do it. They held him back, that he might not expose himself
to the danger of immediate death; for he could not swim, and of course
he could not render the assistance which was needed. He and her aunt
were both obliged to stand and look on, in unutterable anguish, while
strangers attempted to save her.

Bessie fell in such a way that she did not sink under the water. Her
clothes spread out, and buoyed her up like a life-preserver. A man let
himself down as soon as possible; but the rope was not long enough for
him to reach Bessie. He could only touch her with his foot. She took
hold of it, and he slowly raised her till he grasped her bonnet. In
this way they were both pulled up, and Bessie once more stood by the
side of her aunt. How freely they all breathed once more, when the
terrible suspense was ended, and she was safe!

Bessie seemed scarcely aware of the danger she had been in. She had
been perfectly calm, and did not lose her presence of mind; and it was
owing to this, probably, that she was so easily rescued. She tried to
save her travelling-bag, but, as she told her aunt, she could not hold
it any longer than she did.

It was wonderful that Bessie was not drowned. If she had not been
supported by her clothes, she would have sunk beneath the water, and
when she arose would very probably have come up under the boat, so
that it would have been impossible to save her.

If Bessie had been in the habit of obeying so soon as she was spoken
to, she would not have met with this fearful accident, and her uncle
and aunt would have been spared the mental suffering they endured. I
should think she never again would forget to obey at the first word
from those who have the care of her.

I hope, dear children, you will profit as much by Bessie's accident as
I trust she will; and that you will aim not only to be obedient, but
promptly obedient. You may not suffer the same mishap that she did,
even if you allow yourself to form the same habit; but it may lead you
into as great danger, and even greater, for it may peril the purity
and peace of your soul, and that is of far more consequence than the
safet