Year: 1873

the light morning air blew few white
scudding clouds.


Some three and half miles from the
shore there extended right along the
coast low sand-bank, which was at
once source of pleasure and danger
to the inhabitants and the fisherman.
When the tide flowed the sea beat
against the bank for some time, till at
last, with an angry roar, it surmountsd
the obstacle and came tearing down the
incline like very avalanche. Many
accidents resulting in loss of life had
taken place, owing to the ignorance or
carelessness of tourists and others, who,
lulled into state of fancied security
by the distance of the sea, and, una
ware of the popularity of the place,
would wander about on the sands till
overtaken by the tide, when they were
placed, as it were in an instant, beyond
human assistance, and were invariably
lost. Danger signals and notices had
been put up in every prominent posi-
ton by the authorities, who were ac-
customed also at the turning of the tide
to fire signal-gun; but, with all that,
he sands was so tempting, and the
very breeze that waited across them SO
delicious, that day seldom passed
without some party or other, generally
mounted, venturing upon them. As 1
looked down I could see nothing but
solitary speck in the distance, which
1 soon after made out, through lit
tie pocket-glass I always carried, to be
q person on horseback cantering along.
I paid no particular attention at the
time, and continued my way, gathering
up the reins as Moro broke into gen.
tie trot.


I was now on the very edge of the
cliffs, where single false step would
at once have precipitated me on to the
sands below, and consequently, al
though Moro was wonderfully sure
footed and we'll acquainted with the
path, I moved along with considerable
caution. The beauty of the scene and
the exercise soon dispelled the gloomi
ness that had oppressed me, and as my
blood began to circulate more quickly
my spirits rose, and I commenced to
sing right merri,y. The path now took
sudden turn by deep gorge, and as
1 did not wish to goround it, distance
of nearly mile, l resolved to put Mo-
TO across it; so, patting him gently
on the neck, for I never touched him
with spur or whip, I called to him;
the noble old horse understood me at
once, and increased his speed. On we
went, the pace getting faster and faster,
till, at the gorge Moro rose with
splendid bound, and alighted safely on
the other side. I now got full view
of the sands again, and found that I
was considerably nearer the person on
horseback below--in fact, that we had
been moving toward one another. At
that moment Moro suddenly stopped,
and tossing his head in the air, gave
loud neigh. Somewhat astonished at
this proceeding, I looked more carefully,
and perceived by the flutter of the dress
that the person on horseback was lady,
l became more interested, and taking
out my glass, discovered that it was no
other than Bessie, who had been can
tering along on the sands on mare
that her father had lately bought her.
Moro had no doubt recognized his stable
companion. I debated with myself
whether should return, and, by tax
ing a shortcut, meet her on her way
home, in order to upbraid her with mis-
conduct in going out alone. While I
was cogitating, Moro uttered snort of
alarm. looked and beheld q sight
that for the moment took away my
breath. For some cause or other Bes-
sizes horse appeared to have taken fright
and became unmanageable; all at once
it tore away like the wind in the direc-
ton of the sea. At the same moment
] heard the distant boom of the signal
gun which announced that the tide was
just about to turn. The full horror of
the situation now flashed across me;
unless the mare could be stopped in
time, my love would be overtaken by
the sea, and lost before my very eyes.
A cold chill took possession of me and
for moment sat motionless. Bessie's
figure was already becoming smaller a.
she was borne rapidly onward. "Now
or never MOrop' 7 said as rosa in