On re-entering the cave he dispatched the seamen, and disposed himself
to watch by the sides of his still sleeping friends. An hour hardly
had elapsed before the men returned, bringing with them a large boat
and its proprietor. But, alas! no tidings of Murray and Edwin, whom he
had hoped might have been driven somewhere on the island. In bringing
the boat round to the creek under the rock, the men discovered that the
sea had driven their wreck between two projecting rocks, where it now
lay wedged. Though ruined as a vessel, sufficient held together to
warrant their exertions to save the property. Accordingly they entered
it, and drew thence most of the valuables which belonged to Lord Mar.

While this was doing, Wallace reascended to the cave, and finding the
earl awake, told him a boat was ready for their re-embarkation. "But
where, my friend, are my nephews?" inquired he; "Alas! has this fatal
expedition robbed me of them?"

Wallace tried to inspire him with a hope he scarcely dare credit
himself, that they had been saved on some more distant shore. The
voices of the chiefs awakened the women, but the countess still slept.
Aware that she would resist trusting herself to the waves again, Lord
Mar desired that she might be moved on board without disturbing her.
This was readily done, the men having only to take up the extremities
of the plaid on to the boat. The earl received her head on his bosom.
All were then on board, the rowers struck their oars, and once more the
little party found themselves launched upon the sea.

While they were yet midway between the isles, with a bright sun playing
its sparkling beams upon the gently rippling waves, the countess,
heaving a deep sigh, slowly opened her eyes. All around glared with