222XVIII
A NUNNERY?
In very few words Pats told his story.
As Elinor had believed, he was forced beneath the water by the sliding earth and stones; but instead of lying at the bottom he had been carried by the under-current far out toward the middle of the river. On coming to the surface, more dead than alive, he found himself among the branches of an uprooted pine, also speeding toward the sea, at the mercy of the torrent.
Numb with cold from the icy water, he clung to this friend all one day and night, ever drifting toward the Gulf. At last, when rescued, he was barely conscious. And on recovering his wits he found himself aboard a Government coaster just starting on a two months’ cruise.
“I insisted on being landed. They refused at first, but when I told them the situation–of 223the solitary girl I was leaving alone in the wilderness,–they not only put me ashore, but gave me all the provisions I could carry.”
“Bravo! A boat-load of lovers!” exclaimed the Princess. “And they did well!”
“Indeed they did!” said Pats, “for they were pressed for time, and it cost them several hours. So, in high spirits, I started westward along the coast, expecting to get here in three or four days.”
Then, turning to Elinor: “Do you remember the wide marsh we noticed from the top of that farthest hill to the east, at the end of our journey last autumn?”
“Yes, I remember. We thought it the mouth of a river.”
“Well, it was the mouth of a river, with a vengeance. That marsh extends for miles on both sides of a river as impassable as ours. Ten days I tramped northward up the farther bank. And then, in swimming across, I lost nearly all my provisions, and most of my clothes.”