James stays away so long; it is nightfall, and his father has always
desired him to take care not to be overtaken by a fog far from the
house."

"Suppose I go after him," said William.

"There he comes, there he comes!" cried John and Jenny.

The boy came in, in truth, all out of breath.

"I have just succeeded," said he, "in making up the dozen." As he
said this, he put upon the table a dozen of wild eggs. "The last
came near costing me very dear," said he; "it was laid half way down
to the Black Man's; you know, William, the great rock which looks
like a giant sitting down; I had climbed, on my knees, and I had
only one more step to take, when a great big wave--a coward!--behind
struck me, and would have carried me away if I had not clung with
all my might to the great Black Man."

"Foolish child," said the mother, "could you not foresee the return
of the tide?"

"Not at all, not at all. It came before the hour. There are enormous
waves in the channel, and the sea growls as when it is going to be
angry."

"That will not prevent us from passing a merry evening," replied
William; "come, let us go quickly to work."

He hastened to set the table, and assist his sister in putting on