By the time Emily and Miss Reynolds had
come to the brink, Ellen and Martyn were standing up in the water,
leaning against one another, and holding poor little Anne's head up-
-all they could do. Ellen called out, 'Don't! don't come in! Call
some one! The farm! We are sinking in! You can't help! Call--'
The danger was really terrible of their sinking in the mud and
weeds, and being sucked into the deep part of the pool, and they
were too far in to be reached from the bank. Emily perceived this,
and ran as she had never run before, happily meeting on the way with
the gentlemen, who had been inspecting the new model farm-buildings,
and had already taken alarm from the screams.
They found the three still with their heads above water, but no
more, for every struggle to get up the slope only plunged them
deeper in the horrible mud. Moreover, Fanny Reynolds was up to her
ankles in the mud, holding by one of her brothers, but unable to
reach Martyn. It seems she had had some idea of forming a chain of
hands to pull the others out.
Even now the rescue was not too easy. Mr. Fordyce hurried in, and
took Anne in his arms; but, even with his height and strength, he
found his feet slipping away under him, and could only hand the
little insensible girl to Mr. Reynolds, bidding him carry her at
once to the house, while he lifted Martyn up only just in time, and
Ellen clung to him.
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