A Great Emergency and Other Tales

d which put it into our heads that the only way for people at our a

ir stand on end to hear of. The master must have been a monster of tyranny, the boys little prodigie

t even a cruel usher. I was no dunce, nor was Fred-though he was below me in class--so that we had not even a grievance in connection with our lessons. This made me feel as if there would be something mean

ad expected; but he planned what we were

a. Not one of us had longed for "events" and exploits so earnestly as my sister; and who but Rupert had prepared me for emergencies, not perhaps such as the captain had had to cope with, but of the kinds recognized by the yellow leather book? We had been very happy

pleasantest part; but I confess that I think one of the best parts must be when they are over and you are enjoying the credit of them. When the captain's adventures stirred me most I looked forward with a thrill of anticipation to my return home-modest from a justifiable prid

to keep watch over Baby Cecil when he was really a baby, and was only carried for a dull airing in the nursemaid's arms. I can quite understand Dandy's feelings; for if when one was just preparing for a paperchase, or anything of that sort, Baby Cecil trotted up and, flinging himself head first into one's arms, after his usual fashi

and telegrams run faster. I was prepared for any emerg

cent, it keeps no track. I think perhaps this is one reason why boys so often go to sea when they run away, that no one may be able to follow them. It helped my decision that

cts of the earth in various places on which we could live without paying for our living, that he neglected his school-work, and got into scrapes about it. This distressed me very much, for I was working my very b

oon with an old atlas on our knees, and Fred "supposed" till my brain whirled to think of all that was coming on us. "Suppose we get on board a vessel bound for Singapore, and hide behind some old casks-" he would say, coasting strange continents

the masts, and ate earth-nuts to learn to live upon roots in case we were thrown upon a desert island. Of course we did not give up our proper meals, as we were not obliged to yet, and I sometimes felt rather doubtful about how we should feel living upon nothing but

t under certain heads: Hardships, Dangers, Emergencies, Wonders, &c. These were subdivided again thus: Hardships-I, Hunger; 2, Thirst; 3, Cold; 4, Heat; 5, No Clothes; and so forth

octor gave me my three prizes, and spoke of what he hoped I wo

ded upon long ago. We were to go by barge to London

you can be ready by then, we can wait for the next," he added. He seemed quite willing to wait, but (remembering that the captain's preparations for his longest voyage had only taken him eighteen and a half minutes by the chronometer,

e to spend Wednesday with him, and to stay all night, for the

n Rupert, Henrietta, and Baby Cecil, in case I should be drowned at sea. My knife, my prayer-book, the ball of string belonging to my kite, and my little tool-box I took away with me. I also took the match-box fr

xt half. I felt a very unreasonable vexation because they seemed quite cheerful. But as I was leaving the garden to go over the fields, Baby Cecil came running after me, with his wood

; "I am going out now,

he pleaded. "Where are you

Fred Johnson's,

He gave a sigh of disappointment, but only said very gravely, "W

ts when I come back, on m

his face through a hole, and kissing both hands to me. There came into my head a wonder whether his face would be much changed next time I saw it. I little guessed when and how that would b

dried my tears so soon. Every spark of pride in me blazed up to reject the thought of turning craven now. Besides, I longed for