Page:Augusta Seaman--Jacqueline of the carrier pigeons.djvu/277

Rh warranted every fear that thronged her terrified soul. Suppose the water should rise and flood the room? Suppose the night should fall and add its horrors to the prospect? Suppose Dirk Willumhoog should return and snatch her away to unknown terrors? Suppose Gysbert should be swamped in his little boat and drowned? Suppose?—But the accumulated burden of these fears was too great to be borne. She fell on her knees by the window ledge in an agony of  prayer, but could only murmur:

“Oh, God, God, God! Help!—”

The afternoon waned and twilight drew down. The water was now within an inch of the window ledge, but Jacqueline did not  notice. She knelt with her head buried in her arms, and neither saw nor heard anything. Suddenly she was aroused from this half-stupor by a loud shout. She raised her head and perceived to her delight, a bulky  canal vessel, so close that it looked as though  it were about to sail right in the window.