Just then a sudden shock seemed to strike him, then a rattling, rolling, horrible sound reached his ears, and a sensation of swaying and dizziness crept over him.
He knew what it meant—death!
Only one thought was in his heart now, and it rent his soul with its silent agony.
“Brownie, my Brownie, I shall never see you again!”
The next instant—he never knew how he did it—but he caught the form at his side in his arms, and sprang forward, all his strength and energies gathered into that leap for life.
Not an instant too soon, however, for the whole space which they had just traversed was swept from their sight as if by magic, and went crashing and tumbling down into the fearful depths below, leaving that noble man and trembling woman faint, dizzy, sick, with the thought of the horrible death which they had so narrowly escaped and clinging wildly to each other in horrified silence.
Then, keeping his hold upon her to support her, he led her still farther away from the yawning chasm, saying, gently:
“Sit down upon this rock under this tree for a few moments until you regain your strength.”
She obeyed, and he bent down to look into her face.
“Are you faint? Shall I go for some water?” he asked; then suddenly dropping upon his knees before her he exclaimed: