He took him tenderly in his arms, and called to Montagu for the dry clothes.  Montagu tied them skilfully with his neck-handkerchief round a fragment of rock, adding his own jacket to the bundle, and then flung it over.  Eric wrapped up his friend in the clothes, and once more shouted to Montagu to go on his errand.  For a short time the boy lingered, reluctant to leave them, and then started off at the run.  Looking back after a few minutes, he caught, through the gathering dusk, his last glimpse of the friends in their perilous situation.  Eric was seated supporting Russell across his knees; when he saw Montagu turn he waved his cap over his head as a signal of encouragement, and then began to carry Edwin higher up the rock for safety.  It soon grew too dark to distinguish them, and Montagu at full speed flew to Ellan, which was a mile off.  When he got to the harbor he told some sailors of the danger in which his friends were, and then ran on to the school.  It was now eight o’clock, and quite dark.  Tea was over, and lock-up time long past, when he stood excited, breathless, and without his jacket, at Dr. Rowlands’ door.

“Good gracious!  Master Montagu,” said the servant; “what’s the matter; have you been robbed?”

He pushed the girl aside, and ran straight to Dr. Rowlands’ study.  “O sir!” he exclaimed, bursting in, “Williams and Russell are on the Stack, cut off by the tide.”

Dr. Rowlands started up hastily.  “What! on this stormy night?  Have you raised the alarm?”

“I told the life-boat people, sir, and then ran on.”

“I will set off myself at once,” said the Doctor, seizing his hat.  “But, my poor boy, how pale and ill you look, and you are wet through too.  You had better change your clothes at once, or go to bed.”

“O no, sir,” said Montagu, pleadingly; “do take me with you.”

“Very well; but you must change first, or you may suffer in consequence.  Make haste, and directly you are dressed, a cup of tea shall be ready for you down here, and we will start.”

Montagu was off in an instant, and only stopped on his way to tell Duncan and the others of the danger which threatened their companions.  The absence of the three boys from tea and lock-up had already excited general surmise, and Montagu’s appearance, jacketless and wet, at the door of the boarders’ room, at once attracted a group round him.  He rapidly told them how things stood, and, hastening off, left them nearly as much agitated as himself.  In a very short time he presented himself again before Dr. Rowlands, and when he had swallowed with difficulty the cup of tea, they sallied out.