a word to the pastor about seeing George's grave, and about the chest
and the money-bag which belonged to somebody who might want them much.
The pastor took charge of the bag, but declared that everything else
must be left for another trip, at a more leisure time. Mrs Linacre was
waiting,--and in what a state of expectation!

While the two stout rowers were pulling rapidly away from the Red-hill,
and in the direction of Gainsborough, the pastor explained to the party
what they most wanted to know. Mrs Linacre had heard some rumour which
alarmed her on the day of the flood, and had locked up her shed, and set
out homewards when the waters gushed over her road, and compelled her to
turn back. Like a multitude of others, as anxious and miserable as
herself, she had ever since been wandering about in search of a boat,
and imploring aid from every one she met.

For three days, it appeared as if there really were no boats in all the
district. Some had certainly been swamped and broken by the rush of the
flood: and there was great difficulty in bringing round from the coast
such as could there be had from the fishermen. Some farmers on the hill
had lent their oxen, to bring boats over the hills; and others, men to
row them; and this was in time to save many lives. What number had been
lost, it was impossible yet to say; but the cleverness and the
hopefulness with which a multitude had struggled for life, during five
days of hardship and peril were wonderful and admirable. Mrs Linacre
had trusted in the power which God gives his children in such extremity,
and had been persuaded throughout (except during short moments of
despair), that she should see her husband and children again. In this
persuasion she had been sustained by the pastor, from the moment of his
finding her, after his own escape.

Of his own escape the pastor would say nothing at present. The
children's minds were too full now for such tales of wonder and of
horror as they must hear hereafter. Neither would he permit a word on
the origin of the flood. He said they must think as little as they
could of the wicked deeds of men, in this hour of God's mercy. One
prayer, in every heart, that God would forgive all evil-minded men,--one
such prayer let there be; and then, no more disturbing thoughts of
enemies in the hour of preservation.

Oliver could not trust himself to ask, in the presence of strangers,
what the rumour was, which the pastor had menti