370 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



mingled grandly with the wild voices of the gale. As 

 the young wife gazed tearfully out, and mentally con- 

 trasted her present condition with that which had been 

 hers in the happy olden time, there flashed across the 

 storm-vexed water a gleam of light, followed by the 

 faint though distant report of a gun at sea. 



"Some puir ship in trouble," sighed Breeta. 

 "Thankful am I that he is ower the hill at this 

 moment, for, had he been within hearing of yon call 

 for help, it's like he would hae served those puir 

 fellows as he has served mony another ship's crew." 



Again the flash and boom were borne to her, and 

 she shuddered as she ejaculated — " It is awful ! awful ! 

 I think the evil powers are truly having a' their ain 

 way this night." Breeta folded her hands and mur- 

 mured a prayer, and, so fortified, strove to peer into 

 the distance in search of the distressed vessel. But 

 she could see nothing but the vexed ocean, and at 

 intervals the gleam of light which preceded the sound 

 of the minute gun. 



" Heaven grant that James stay away this night ! " 

 Breeta said aloud. " I wished for even Ms company 

 no' lang ago, for the loneliness was mair than I could 

 bear ; but, now I pray he may no' come this side the 

 hill till at least yon ship is out o' sight. Oh ! if I 

 but dared to tell James what I think, what I more 

 than suspect of his evil tricks ! If I but dared to 

 brave his fury, and leave him for ever ! If I could 

 but face the shame and scandal of the Isle, and go 

 hame to my faither ! But, Jie said if I did do that, I 



