'In the meanwhile,' said Marjorie, 'we had better be quick; the breakers are close under the rocks, and we're almost cut off already.'
A stream of foaming, angry-looking water was running up into a hollow on the shore, and the young folk could only escape by jumping on to a stone in the middle of the flood, and from thence to the other side.
'Jump, Tricksy,' cried Reggie half impatiently, as his little sister hesitated.
Tricksy, who was pale and overwrought, sprang, but fell short and plunged overhead in the water.
Instantly two or three were in the flood, trying to prevent her being swept out to sea.
Allan secured her; and gasping, struggling, with water running over her face, Tricksy was pulled on to dry land.
'It isn't so very bad, is it, Tricksy?' inquired Reggie, in a tone of somewhat forced cheerfulness; 'what a thing to do, to jump in when you're told to jump over!'
Tricksy tried to smile; a miserable attempt, for her teeth chattered and her lips were blue with the cold.
'Run to Rob MacLean's cottage, Reggie,' said Hamish, throwing off his coat and wrapping it round Tricksy; 'ask him to lend us his pony, and we'll take Tricksy to Corranmore; it's nearer than your house.'
With Hamish running by her side and holding her on to the pony, Tricksy was not long in reaching Corranmore, and when the others arrived she was already in bed, with Mrs. MacGregor beside her; the little girl drinking hot milk and trying to restrain the tears that would roll down her cheeks, even when she forced herself to laugh.