“Oh! stay a moment!” cried Agnes. “There is something in the sea that looks like a man’s head.”
Mrs. Merton and the man both looked, and saw, though it was now nearly dark, something black and hairy that was beating about by the waves.
“Bless you! miss,” exclaimed the man: “that’s a dog.”
The next wave carried its burden nearer shore,—so near, indeed, that they saw distinctly the large shaggy head and white throat of a Newfoundland dog. The wave retired, carrying its prey with it; but soon, with deafening roar and redoubled fury, it came again; and again they saw the dog, with its black head and white breast; and, more,—that there was a black heart-shaped mark on its breast, which Agnes instantly recognised. “Oh! mamma,” cried she, turning pale and trembling, “it is Neptune; but where is his master?”
“Where indeed?” exclaimed Mrs. Merton, shuddering, and turning away her head.
They now saw distinctly that Neptune was not merely struggling to reach the shore himself: he was dragging something with him that was frequently torn from him by the waves, and that he dived for again and recovered, and then seemed to lose again. They watched his progress with the most intense anxiety; but always, when he seemed just on the point of reaching the shore, something appeared to rise out of the sea, and to dash him back again.
“It’s the ground swell,” said the guide; “there’s few Newfoundland dogs strong enough to stand against it.”
At this moment a large wave carried Neptune and his burden fairly on shore; and though its recoil swept them back again, the effect which a full sight of them produced upon the guide was electric.
“It’s a man!” he shouted. “Help, help!” and instantly several persons started from recesses in the cliffs, and ran upon the beach. Agnes saw that one was an old woman, who seemed in an agony of despair; and then she saw something black dashed against the rocks, and she heard a crash, and a shrill and piercing scream—and then she hid her face in her mother’s gown, for she could bear no more. Mrs. Merton bent over her and both remained silent for a few minutes. When they looked up, all was bustle on the beach. Lights were flashing to and fro, and numerous voices were heard. The idea suddenly struck Mrs. Merton that her husband would be alarmed and might come to seek them, and endanger his life by the descent. “Oh! let us go,” she cried.