The terrible tempest which had attacked the face of Wild Pike had swept over Wildtree too, and added a hundredfold to the alarm which, as hour passed hour, their absence caused.

Scarfe, arriving at home about ten o'clock, found the whole family in a state of panic.

Mr Rimbolt had been out on the lower slopes of the mountain, and reported that a storm raged there before which nothing could stand.
The only hope was that they had been descending the back of the mountain, and taken refuge somewhere in the valley for the night.

The carriage was ordered out, and Mr Rimbolt and Scarfe started on what seemed a forlorn hope.

For an hour or two they passed and repassed the valley road, inquiring at every cottage and farm without result.
At last, just as they were resolving to give it up for the night, Appleby pulled up the horses suddenly, and said he had heard a shout.
Instantly they jumped out and shouted back; and now, following the direction of the voice, far up the great slope, they _met_ Jeffreys, with the boy leaning on his arm safe, but almost exhausted.
Neither of them retained a vivid recollection of that drive home.
Jeffreys was vaguely conscious of them calling on the way for the doctor, and taking him along in the carriage.