ared not move another
step for fear of unknown consequences. Every breath was now a sob, as
wearied, aching all over, terrified, she stood still, afraid to stir.

'Bootles! Bootles!' she cried, stooping to feel if he were anywhere
near.

Instead of a caress, or even a whine, she heard his feet pattering about
for some seconds, as if he were sniffing out their position. A moment
later, a thud showed he had either jumped or fallen down somewhere.
Fearing he had deserted her, and that she was now absolutely alone, her
self-control gave way. She began to scream with all her might. He did
not return, nor was there any answer to her cries. Instead, the air
seemed full of loud shouts, which gradually died away as she ceased to
scream. Listening to them, her excited state made her imagine they were
the mocking chorus of invisible creatures, who were flocking round her.
Oh, if she could only move! If she could dare to run away!

'Bootles! Bootles!' she cried, her voice broken by sobs; 'where are you?
Oh, do come back!'

' ... come back!' echoed the voices.

' ... come back!' repeated the fainter chorus behind.

It was plainly of no use to call. The dog had vanished. The voices only
mocked her. She was very tired, too, and her throat ached so that her
voice was hoarse and almost gone. She felt she must either move on or
sit down; standing any longer was impossible. Her knees were trembling,
but she felt her steps carefully as she moved forward a few paces, with
the hope of coming upon a piece of dry ground. Suddenly she found
herself turning round a corner; before her lay a passage which sloped
steeply down to a faint light, sparkling far below her. Half wild with
hope and terror, she ran still further, the rocks opening out as she
went.

Into her dazzled eyes came the great crimson blaze of the setting sun,
making a fiery path on the waters. She was going at full speed down the
sharp incline, terror lending wings to her feet. Before she realised her
danger, she was at the opening in the cliff, and, unable to stop
herself, had fallen into the sea. A faint scream, a splash, and the
waves closed over her.

The tide, still high, covered the lower rocks: the strong current
carried her over them out to sea within a very few minutes, though,
alas! not without serious injury from jagged points against which she
was whirled in her passage.

Cruising about, waiting for some sign of the two men whom they had
orders to bring off