Part 20 (1/2)

”Alone! O no! Don't let these men go and startle Mildred and the rest--”

”Thank G.o.d!” exclaimed Pastor Dendel.

The two men who were with him seemed about to raise a shout, and wave their hats, but the pastor forbade them by a gesture. He whispered to Oliver,--

”Mildred, and who else, my dear? We know nothing, you are aware. Your father--?”

”He was carried off in the mill,--out to the Humber--”

Oliver stopped, as he saw the men exchange a look of awe, which took his breath away again.

”We have something like news of your father too, Oliver. There is a rumour which makes us hope that he may be safe at a distance. Your mother believes it, as she will tell you. Is it possible that you are all alive, after such a calamity as this?”

”George is dead, sir. We buried him yesterday. Ailwin is here, with Mildred and me; and Roger Redfurn.”

One of the men observed that he had hoped, as one good that would come of the flood, that the Levels were rid of the Redfurns.

”Do not say that,” said Oliver. ”Roger has helped us in many things; and he was kind to little George. Let me go, sir. I can walk now very well: and I want to tell them that you are come.”

”Go, my boy: but do it gently, Oliver,--gently.”

”That is what I want, sir,--that they should not see or hear you: for Mildred is ill,--and Roger too. Please keep out of sight till I come for you. So mother is safe,--really?”

”Really, and we will take you all to her.”

Mildred, lying uncomfortably in the soaked cloth (for the rain had penetrated everything), was yet dozing,--now and then starting and calling out. Oliver took her hand, to wake her up, and asked her, with a smile, as she opened her eyes, whether she was dreaming of a boat again. Mildred believed not, but her head was sadly confused; so much so, that she heard of the boat which had really come, and the pastor and her parents, without showing any surprise or pleasure. Little ceremony was necessary with the strong Ailwin; and one of the men made short work with Roger, by lifting him and carrying him into the boat. Oliver said a word to the pastor about seeing George's grave, and about the chest and the money-bag which belonged to somebody who might want them much.

The pastor took charge of the bag, but declared that everything else must be left for another trip, at a more leisure time. Mrs Linacre was waiting,--and in what a state of expectation!

While the two stout rowers were pulling rapidly away from the Red-hill, and in the direction of Gainsborough, the pastor explained to the party what they most wanted to know. Mrs Linacre had heard some rumour which alarmed her on the day of the flood, and had locked up her shed, and set out homewards when the waters gushed over her road, and compelled her to turn back. Like a mult.i.tude of others, as anxious and miserable as herself, she had ever since been wandering about in search of a boat, and imploring aid from every one she met.

For three days, it appeared as if there really were no boats in all the district. Some had certainly been swamped and broken by the rush of the flood: and there was great difficulty in bringing round from the coast such as could there be had from the fishermen. Some farmers on the hill had lent their oxen, to bring boats over the hills; and others, men to row them; and this was in time to save many lives. What number had been lost, it was impossible yet to say; but the cleverness and the hopefulness with which a mult.i.tude had struggled for life, during five days of hards.h.i.+p and peril were wonderful and admirable. Mrs Linacre had trusted in the power which G.o.d gives his children in such extremity, and had been persuaded throughout (except during short moments of despair), that she should see her husband and children again. In this persuasion she had been sustained by the pastor, from the moment of his finding her, after his own escape.