Part 6 (1/2)
Oliver rose, and did all that Roger bade him.
”You say there is a long rope somewhere about the house,” said Roger.
”Where is it?”
”There is one in the cow-shed, I know.”
”And if I cannot get there, is there one in the house?”
”In the lumber-room,” said Mildred. ”The spare bed is tied round and round with a long rope--I don't know how long.”
”I wish we had set about it an hour ago,” muttered Roger, ”instead of waiting for dark. A pretty set of fools we have been to lose the daylight! I say, lad, can you think of anyway of making a fire? Here are sticks enough, if one could set them alight.”
”To cook a supper?” asked Mildred.
”No; I mean to sup within doors; only we must do some work first.”
Oliver had a steel knife; but it was too dark to look for a flint, if any other plan than a fire would do.
”Well, don't plague any more about a fire,” said Roger, ”but listen to me. Can you climb a tree? I'll be bound you can't: and now you'll die if you can't.”
”I can,” said Oliver; ”but what is Mildred to do?”
”We'll see that afterwards. Which of these trees stands nearest to the nearest of yon upper windows?”
Oliver and Mildred pointed out a young ash, which now quite bent over the water.
”That is not strong enough,” said Roger, shaking the tree, and finding it loosened at the roots. ”Show me a stouter one.”
A well-grown beech was the next nearest. Roger pulled Oliver by the arm, and made him stand directly under the tree, with his sister beside him. He desired them not to move from where they were, and to give a loud halloo together, or a shriek (or anything that might be heard furthest)--about once in a minute for an hour to come, unless they should hear a rope fall into the tree, or anywhere near them. They were to watch for this rope, and use all their endeavours to catch it. There would be a weight at the end, which would make it easier to catch.
Oliver must tie this rope to the trunk of the tree, stretching it tight, with all his strength, and then tying it so securely that no weight would unfasten it.
”Mind you that,” said Roger. ”If you don't, you will be drowned, that's all. Do as I tell you, and you'll see what you will see.”
Roger then whistled for his dog, s.n.a.t.c.hed Oliver's black ribbon from about his neck, and fastened it round the dog's neck, to hold by. He then showed the dog the house, and forced him into the water, himself following, till the children could no longer see what became of them.
”What do you think he means?” asked poor Mildred, s.h.i.+vering.
”I don't know exactly. He cannot mean that we are to climb over by a rope. I do not think I could do that; and I am sure you could not.”
”Oh, no, no! Let us stay here! Stay with me under the trees, here, Oliver.”
”Why, it would be much more comfortable to be at home by the fire. You are s.h.i.+vering now, already, as if it was winter: and the night will be very long, with nothing to eat.”
”But Roger is gone; and I don't like to be where he is,--he is such a rude boy! How he s.n.a.t.c.hed your ribbon, and pulled you about! And he calls you 'lad,' when he might just as well say 'Oliver.'”
”We must not mind such things now, dear. And we must get home, if he can show us how. Think how glad Ailwin and George will be: and I am sure father would wish it, and mother too. You must not cry now, Mildred; indeed you must not. People must do what they can at such a time as this. Come, help me to shout. Shriek as loud and as long as ever you can.”
”I wish I might say my prayers,” said Mildred, presently.
”Do, dear. Kneel down here;--n.o.body sees us. Let us ask G.o.d to save father,--and us too, and George and Ailwin, if it pleases Him;--and Roger.”
They kneeled down, and Oliver said aloud to G.o.d what was in his heart.
It was a great comfort to them both; for they knew that while no human eye saw them in the starlight, under the tree, G.o.d heard their words, and understood their hearts.