"No," was the answer, "I am not killed, but the breath is almost knocked out of me. Have you got any more rope ?"

"Yes," said the farmer, "I have more rope, but no rope strong enough to bear your weight, now that the one we were using is at the bottom of the cliff. What shall we do?"

"Whatever you do must be done quickly," said Arthur; "I can't stay here very long without being drowned. If you have got no rope that will bear my weight, send somebody into the town to get a boat out and lower down what rope you've got, it will help me to support myself on the ledge of rock just above me."

Jenifer, in terror lest Arthur after rescuing her should be drowned himself, rushed off towards St. Enodoc at the top of her speed, and astonished her father

and mother by rushing into the house. gasping and breathless.

As soon as she could speak she exclaimed, "Arthur is drowning! he is under the cliff at Deadman's Haven!

you must go round in a boat, there are no ropes there."

How ded a git there?" asked Daniel. "Getting Esther and me up," answered Jenifer; "but be quick, father, or the tide will wash him away."

Daniel, grasping the situation, rushed to the quay, and in a minute or two a sixoared gig, manned by the idlers who were as usual pacing up and down seamanfashion, was making for Deadman's Haven with all possible speed. Happily it was a moonlight night, or Arthur's chance of rescue would have been a slight one. As

soon as the gig rounded the point Daniel gave a loud " Ahoy!" In a few moments

an answering shout was borne across the

water.

"That's Arthur," said Daniel excitedly, "Iknaw his voice: pull away, booys, 'tis for life or death."

When they reached the haven they found Arthur up to his armpits in water, clinging to a ledge, and partially supported by a rope round his waist, which the farmer and his sons were holding. They quickly got him into the boat, and found that the tips of his fingers were cut and bleeding from his desperate grasp of the rocks.

"Thank God," he said, as they pulled him in, "I am safe. I was just going to drop off and try to swim round to the cove, but it would be a long swim for me and a risky one. You came just in time to save me.”

"How ded 'ee git down there?" asked Daniel. "I couldn' meaake out what Jenifer said. Thank the Lord," said he

reverently, when Arthur had explained, "and thank you too for seeavin my Jenny. I would lay down my own life rather'n a hair of her head should be hurt."

Most of the inhabitants of St. Enodoc appeared to be on the quay when the boat reached land again. The news of Arthur's rescue of the girls and of his own peril had soon spread, and an enthusiastic welcome awaited him. He was seized as soon as his foot touched the quay, and hoisted upon the shoulders of a couple of strong fishermen and borne off in triumph to his home, surrounded by the cheering crowd.

Mrs. Treleaven felt very proud of her son that night, and Uncle Anthony, to mark his sense of the event, read at family prayers the chapter recording Jonah's deliverance by the whale, and the two Prayers to be used in Storms at Sea.

71

Crabbed

CHAPTER IV.

THE AMOROUS ANTIQUARY.

age and youth cannot live together: Youth is full of pleasance, age is full of care;

Youth like summer morn, age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave, age like winter bare.

Youth is full of sport, age's breath is short;
Youth is nimble, age is lame;

Youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold;
Youth is wild, and age is tame.

Shakespeare's "Passionate Pilgrim."

ON the morning after Arthur's perilous adventure, Mr. Burlington bore down upon Uncle Anthony, who was pacing his quarter-deck in meditative mood, and thus addressed that ancient mariner,

"Ahem! excuse me, but are you Mr. Barker?"