The storm now seemed to abate, and as if satisfied with the mischief at
this moment consummating, the wind grew comparatively calm. The gusts
came by fitfully, like the closing sobs of some fretful and peevish
babe, not altogether ceasing with the indulgence of its wishes. As I
stood absorbed in a reverie, the nature of which I cannot now accurately
determine, the maiden gently touched my arm.
"Sir, will ye walk to the shore? I'se warrant the neighbours are
helping, and we may save a life though we canna gie it."
She was wrapped in a thick cloak, the hood thrown forward, and the horn
lantern again put in requisition, fitted up for immediate service. We
opened the door with considerable difficulty, and waded slowly through
the heavy sand-drifts towards the beech. The clouds, shattered and
driven together in mountainous heaps, were rolling along the sky, a dark
scud sweeping over their huge tops, here and there partially illuminated
by the moonbeams: the moon was still obscured, but a wild and faint
light, usually seen after the breaking up of a storm, just served to
show the outline of objects not too remote from our sphere of vision.
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