f terror burst from
the boatmen and from those on shore. Instantly afterwards a shout was
heard on board the steamer, and the engines were reversed; but the space
was awfully small, and the monster, carried by the strong current, bore
on still. Lucia hid her face; Mrs. Costello, still leaning forward,
tightened her grasp on the arm that supported her. Mr. Strafford
unconsciously spoke aloud,

"In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord deliver
us."

And as he spoke the crash came. Next moment the boat had disappeared,
and the steamer still swept on.

Neither of the three on shore saw more than this. At the moment when
the boat was struck and sunk, Mr. Strafford felt Mrs. Costello's clasp
loosen on his arm. He turned just in time to save her from falling, and
carried her back into the house in one of those fainting fits which so
much alarmed Lucia. It did not, however, last long; and when she had a
little recovered, he left her and went out again.

The fog had once more settled down, but he could distinguish the many
lights which now gleamed from the deck and from the windows of the
steamer which still lay where it had been stopped. Voices were audible,
too, and he contrived to make out that boats had been let down to search
for the fisherman and his companions. This was all that could be learned
here, and he became anxious to reach home, that he might himself cross
to Claremont and learn what was known there.

He went back to the house, therefore, and found Mrs. Costello quite
determined, in spite of her weakness, to start at once on their walk
back. With painful forebodings and regrets, therefore, they left the
promontory, and walked as fast as they were able towards the village.

Little was said on the way; but as soon as they were near his house, Mr.
Strafford told his companions of his intention. Neither could find
anything to say against it; but Mrs. Costello looked anxiously at him
while he explained that he meant to take a good boatman with him and
burn a bright light. Then she held out her hand to him to express the
thanks she had no words for.

They found Mrs. Hall unhappy at their absence, and ready to do
everything possible for their comfort; but it was not until she had seen
Mr. Strafford push off from the landing-place that Mrs. Costello could
be induced to lie down and rest.

Then there was nothing more to be done, and she submitted readily; and
so great was her exhaustion that s