As she did so the child rose for the last time and sunk again with a gurgling cry.

Keeping her eyes fixed on the spot, and with an oar in her hand, Madge pushed away from the shore vigorously with her feet, and with the impetus sprang upon the narrow stern-sheets, then crept forward toward the bow, at the same time ever keeping her eyes fixed unwaveringly on the spot where the child had sunk, from which widening circles were eddying.

The nurses and children who had not started for the house, seeing that a rescue was attempted, looked on with breathless dread and suspense.
When the impetus that Madge had first given to the skiff ceased, she kept the little craft in motion by paddling, first on one side, then on the other, her eyes still fixed on one point in the dark water.
At last this point seemed almost beneath her; she dropped the oar, stooped, and peered over the side of the boat.

After a moment's hesitation she appeared to those on shore to have lost her balance, fallen overboard, and sunk.

Renewed screams of terror resounded, and the Muir children fled toward the hotel, crying, "Aunt Madge is drowned." "What do you mean ?" Graydon gasped, seizing Harry by the arm.
"Oh, Uncle Graydon! run quick.