"I've hurt my foot," said Muriel. "I slipped on a stone, and I think I must have sprained my ankle. It hurts dreadfully when I lean any weight upon it. Let me have your arm, Patty." "Don't you see how fast the tide's rising?" said Patty, giving the asked-for assistance. "If we're not very quick we shall be surrounded." "Why, so we shall!" exclaimed Vera. "I didn't notice it before. Come along at once. We must run." "I can't run," said Muriel fretfully, "you know I can't. I can scarcely even limp as it is." "You must," said Maud, taking her other arm; "that is, if you don't want to be drowned." "Don't pull me, Maud," cried Muriel, "you're hurting me. Oh, I can't go any faster! My foot will give way underneath me." "What are we to do?" said Kitty blankly. "The water's rushing round on both sides of us! If we don't get across that piece of sand in front directly, we shall be on an island." "Let us make a chair of our hands," suggested Patty, "and try to carry Muriel. See, Maud! Clasp my wrists like this, and I'll clasp yours. Muriel, sit down! Now, then; one, two, let's step together." "She's too heavy; I can't manage it!" exclaimed Maud, dropping her burden on to the sands. "Then you try, Kitty." "No, no! I'm not so strong as Maud. Oh, look at the water!" "Come along, girls," shouted Vera, "we must run for our lives! It's no use our all being drowned." "Maud! Kitty! Vera! You don't mean to leave me?" shrieked Muriel. "Quick! Quick!" was the sole reply she received, as her three friends took to their heels, and, without even turning to look at her, dashed across the narrow belt of dry land which led between two channels to the safer bank of shingle beyond. "The cowards! The mean cowards!" cried Muriel, white with anger and alarm. "Patty, are you going too?" "Not without you," replied Patty, sturdily. "Here, I'll help you up, Muriel, and we must push on, even if we have to wade. Catch hold of my arm again, and try to walk." "It hurts so; my foot won't hold me. Oh, the pain is so bad, I must stop for a minute!" Patty looked round desperately. Their situation was indeed most dangerous. The one path to safety was already covered, and even if they were able to hurry on fast, it was doubtful whether they would be able to wade to the shore. They were cut off on every side, and their little island was each moment diminishing in size. "We must climb on to these rocks," she exclaimed. "Let us scramble up the tallest; perhaps it may be above high-water mark. Put your arms round my neck, Muriel, and I'll carry you as well as I can." Almost sinking under her cousin's weight, Patty staggered along till she reached the jagged, seaweed-covered rock, which she hoped might afford them a temporary place of security. Groaning with pain, Muriel managed with Patty's help to drag herself slowly to the summit.