Uttering a cry of fright, Emmeline stood up, and, pointing to it, exclaimed:
“'Tis the black oak I told you of. One of my father's house is doomed!”
The others looked aghast, but spoke not. Even Captain Danvers seemed struck dumb.
Without a word, he turned the boat's head, and began to row back.
While he was moving round, Emmeline sat down, and covered her eyes, to shut the hideous object from her view.
“It is gone,” said Mildred, in a low tone. “Try not to think about it.”
“I ought to think about it,” rejoined Emmeline, scarcely above her breath. “It is a death-warning!”
“But not to you, dearest girl,” said Mildred.
“I would rather it applied to me than to those I love,” she returned.
Silence prevailed among the party till they landed. No more jesting on the part of the captain. He looked very gloomy.