upper part of the slope down to the beach; and these
were succeeded by a broad and even flooring of tough sand, along which
visitors, old and young, found safe and ample space for exercise. There
was no grand esplanade or terrace with its throng of health and
pleasure-seekers. It was emphatically a quiet place, with its few neat
lodging-houses and humble shops, one solitary bathing-machine, and a
couple of pleasure boats now hauled up high and dry. To those who might
seek excitement at the sea, this little retreat would have proved
insufferably dull; but to those who brought their resources with them in
heart, mind, and purpose, there was all that could be needed to cheer,
elevate, and delight,--the grand old ocean, outspread in its vast
dignity of space; the invigorating breezes; the passing ships; the
glories of the most magnificent of nature's painters, even the sun
himself, who spread his tints of gold, crimson, and purple in broad,
dazzling bands from the extreme verge where sea and sky met up to the
centre of the blue vault overhead, though here in hues paler, yet as
intensely beautiful. And all around now breathed peace. No storm was
now ploughing up the water into mountains of angry foam; but a quiet
ripple and a gentle splash at regular intervals soothed the spirit by
the harmony of their ceaseless fall.

The three travellers felt the tranquillising influence of the scene. To
Amos it was one of unmitigated pleasure. The others, no doubt, would
naturally have preferred a livelier spot, but now the consciousness that
they were there to aid in bringing about a great and noble object made
them content and happy for the time. So, after a long stroll on the
beach, they returned, when the great glowing ball of the sun had
withdrawn the extreme edge of his fiery rim below the horizon, to their
cottage.

Having finished their evening meal, a consultation was held as to the
best way of carrying out the purpose which had brought them from home.
The obvious thing seemed to be that Amos should go over alone to the
house where his mother now lived, which was distant some eight or nine
miles from their lodgings, and see what the physician in whose keeping
she was might advise or suggest. So, early the next morning, he rode
forth with a beating heart, and at the same time a happy trust, on his
errand of love, his brother and sister having arranged to pay a visit
for the day to a fashionable watering-place about five