A STORM IN THE MARSHES 35 



Reaching the sea-wall we left the marsh and 

 walked along the top, which enabled us to look over 

 the saltings and into the creek ; the tide now being 

 nearly down. A little distance off, a quarter of a 

 mile it might have been, something was to be seen 

 lying by the water's edge, with some gulls flapping 

 to and fro and cackling over it. 



' What can it be ? ' I asked my companion. 



No need for an answer, on getting nearer ; we 

 had both seen a drowned man before. 



' Stand here, boy/ he says, ' for a minute, while I 

 go to it' 



I stood for a moment and then followed quickly 

 after him. 



* Keep back, boy, if you don't want ugly dreams.' 



Dreams or no dreams, I looked on the pitiful 

 sight. That poor upturned face ! and, alas, it was 

 the face of one of my old school companions. Every- 

 thing round about me seemed misty just then, I 

 fancied ; something got into my eye ; anyhow it 

 required a wipe or two. 



After a while my companion spoke. ' The waters 

 had his life, they took him away, and now they have 

 brought him back in the storm. His mother will be 

 a bit easier in her mind, poor thing, for she'll know 

 where he lays when they bury him.' 



D2 



