My boat will be anchored close by, and we can easily reach it." "Drop into the water!" said poor Kate.
"But I will be there, you know," said Dickory.
She looked down upon the ledge, and then she looked below it to the water, which was idly flapping against the side of the vessel.
"Is it the only way ?" said she.
"It is the only way," he answered, speaking very earnestly.

"You must not wait for your father; from what I hear, I fear he has been detained against his will.

By nine o'clock it will be dark enough." "And what must I do ?" she said, feeling cold as she spoke.
"Listen to every word," he answered.

"This is what you must do.

You know the sound of the bell in the tower of the new church ?" "Oh, yes," said she, "I hear it often." "And you will not confound it with the bell in the old church ?" "Oh, no!" said she; "it is very different, and generally they strike far apart." "Yes," said he, "the old one strikes first; and when you hear it, it will be quite dark, and you can slip over the rail and stand on this ledge, as I am doing; then keep fast hold of this rope and you can slip farther down and sit on the ledge and wait until the clock of the new church begins to strike nine.