ound his neck for a
moment, and then fainted away.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

NEWS.

Oliver soon recovered. The strong, manly caress of the pastor seemed to
revive him, even more than the water the others threw on his face. His
first word was "Mother."

"She is safe, my boy: and she will be well when I take you to her. Are
you alone here, Oliver?"

"Alone! O no! Don't let these men go and startle Mildred and the
rest--"

"Thank God!" exclaimed Pastor Dendel.

The two men who were with him seemed about to raise a shout, and wave
their hats, but the pastor forbade them by a gesture. He whispered to
Oliver,--

"Mildred, and who else, my dear? We know nothing, you are aware. Your
father--?"

"He was carried off in the mill,--out to the Humber--"

Oliver stopped, as he saw the men exchange a look of awe, which took his
breath away again.

"We have something like news of your father too, Oliver. There is a
rumour which makes us hope that he may be safe at a distance. Your
mother believes it, as she will tell you. Is it possible that you are
all alive, after such a calamity as this?"

"George is dead, sir. We buried him yesterday. Ailwin is here, with
Mildred and me; and Roger Redfurn."

One of the men observed that he had hoped, as one good that would come
of the flood, that the Levels were rid of the Redfurns.

"Do not say that," said Oliver. "Roger has helped us in many things;
and he was kind to little George. Let me go, sir. I can walk now very
well: and I want to tell them that you are come."

"Go, my boy: but do it gently, Oliver,--gently."

"That is what I want, sir,--that they should not see or hear you: for
Mildred is ill,--and Roger too. Please keep out of sight till I come
for you. So mother is safe,--really?"

"Really, and we will take you all to her."

Mildred, lying uncomfortably in the soaked cloth (for the rain had
penetrated everything), was yet dozing,--now and then starting and
calling out. Oliver took her hand, to wake her up, and asked her, with
a smile, as she opened her eyes, whether she was dreaming of a boat
again. Mildred believed not, but her head was sadly confused; so much
so, that she heard of the boat which had really come, and the pastor and
her parents, without showing any surprise or pleasure. Little ceremony
was necessary with the strong Ailwin; and one of the men made short work
with Roger, by lifting him and carrying him into the boat. Oliver said