A Silver Brand — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A SILVER BRAND. 133 Penelope’s fingers gave a convulsive grip upon his arm. “What has happened 2?” she asked hoarsely. “You told Lina she might go out in the boat. They have rowed around to the other side to see the fishermen’s children, as like as not,” answered Nat, calmly. ‘‘I will go around and see.” ; “I must go, too,” she answered, quickly. “Paul will be angry enough that I lost sight of her. -I will not stay here for him to find me alone.” With swift steps, in ominous silence, they hurried along the narrow strip of beach, coming at length toa steep precipitous rock around which it was impossible to pars: and above which grew a thick hedge of thistle and riar. , ‘*Wait here forme. I can climb up and force my way through, and at the top I can see around to the other land- ing,” said Nat, authoritatively. Breathless and overpowered by a nameless but growing terror, Penelope sank down upon the ground, consenting to the proposition. It seemed to her a full hour, but it was not really quite half the time when Nat returned, hurrying on with great strides which echoed along the round. | “The foolish things have hidden themselves somewhere to frighten us, Miss Penelope. Don’t be alarmed. Serena is with her, and if she were not, what harm could pos- sibly come upon this peaceful, retired island? We shall find the naughty creatures laughing at our trepidation.” Penelope answered never a word, but dashed back over the same ground they had come. Reaching the spot where Serena’s boat had been moored, they both called aloud, one upon Lina in wild, affrighted tones, and the othe earnestly and beseechingly repeated : : ‘“Serena, Serena, why do you not answer ?” In the midst of their perplexity and amazement, Paul Foss came leaping down upon them. ‘What is the matter? Penelope, have you lost your wits? Tell me what is the matter !” ‘‘Lina is gone, Paul. She went down the path, only just down the path to meet that girl, and we cannot find them —boat or girls.” Paul darted down to the water, and Nat followed. “It is impossible there should be any harm come to them,” he said, positively. “They have rowed out, and some shadow hides. the boat, and they are keeping still GComicboo (@) cS €COr