She pushed me out as I spoke, all the time looking around as though she saw sights unseen by me.
"You'll want oal yer strength and oal yer courage, my deer, oa tes terrible. May Roger be protected; but oa, if 'ee saves her 'ee 'll have to suffer."
Wondering at her words, I rushed out into the wild night, and had scarcely done so before I saw a dark form rise from under the window in the cottage, and hurry away right in the teeth of the wind. I started and followed, but whoever he might be, he was more fleet than I. The night was dark because of the storm, but the figure looked like that of my brother Wilfred.
Full of conflicting thoughts, I hurried home, where I found my father dressed as if to go out.
"What's the matter, father?" I asked.
"There's a vessel round the point, Roger, and she's signalled for help."
"Let me go with you. Is it a large one?"
"No, and I am afraid that my friend's child is in her."
"What child?"
"Did you see that horseman this morning, Roger?"