'I must remove first of all the things of greatest value that are in the smallest compass. Give me some box that I can lock them in, or a strong drawer.'
Mrs. Jose showed Jane a stout cypress chest in a room over the porch.
'You may have that and welcome,' she said. 'But I reckon you will require something in which to carry your traps. Here is an old-fashioned carpet-bag that I will lend you. Shall I go with you and assist you? Shall I summon the men?'
'No—no. I must go first. Later, I shall be glad of assistance.'
'You know best, Jane; but look here. There was the most curious sight imaginable this morning. The rabbits have come off the common on to our land in flocks as of sheep; they are all over our fields now.'
'And the birds have deserted the cliffs. Something is certainly going to happen.'
'We, thank God, are well inland at Bindon, and on the safe side of the hill.'
'There is no time to be lost,' said Jane in feverish unrest and impatience, 'I must go.'
Then she hurried from the house.
The number of persons assembled on the down had increased. Most stood at a considerable distance from the cliffs, but a few audacious boys dashed forward to the brink, and were screamed at by their mothers, and sworn at by the coastguardsmen, who bellowed to them to return.