pulled him out, Bridget, who was very proud of anything her favourite did, ran up to Tom, saying,

"Get up, Acushla; ye

'av done the deed of a haro." But Tom did not move, and they found the poor boy had fainted, and now required more looking to than the cause of the accident, who had only got a severe fright and a wetting. Bridget took him up in her arms, and, with tears in her eyes, carried him up as fast as she could, and laid him by the kitchen fire; then getting some brandy, she put some in his mouth, and rubbed a handful on his chest; gradually the colour returned, and Mrs. Graham, who was holding his head upon her knees, felt him shudder.

"God bless him!-he's all right now, dear Mistress; he'll be best in bed. Come, Master Tom, you're a noble boy! Acushla, let me carry ye up; I'll do it as gently as av ye were a lamb."

"What is it, Biddy? Mamma!-Where am I?—Oh, Aps!-Where is he?-is he safe?"

"Quite safe, my brave noble boy," said Mr. Graham. "You saved him, Tom; I have to thank you, dear, for Aps's life."

"Oh, Mamma!" said Tom, "I thought I could not hold him. If Lucy had not behaved so well, we should both have been drowned. Indeed, Lucy, your presence of mind saved us both."

Lucy blushed with astonishment and delight. She thought she had been so very foolish, and that she had done nothing; and here was Tom praising her for her presence of mind, and telling her she had saved his life. The scene on board ship during the storm flashed upon

her; and, creeping up to her Mamma, she put her arms round her, and whispered, "You'll forget the earthquake now, dear Mamma."

This accident had quite put a stop to all the preparations for the next day, and threw them all out; for Mrs. Graham would not let Tom get out of bed until late in the afternoon, when he had had a good sleep, and declared he felt as well, or better, than ever he did, and must go and get some evergreens, etc., for the girls. Seeing he looked as bright and rosy as usual, his mother consented to his dressing, and going about.

So he, Lucy, and Beatrice were soon on their way to the forest, to gather more flowers, while Master Aps was sound asleep in bed; this time shut into the room, with no chance of getting out, to cause more anxiety that day. Mrs. Graham could not help being proud of the coolness and forethought the little child had displayed, and, like most mammas, thought she had one of the most wonderful children in the world.

CHAPTER XVI.

Christmas Day-Arrival of the Clergyman-Walk after BreakfastWho pulled the Child out of the Water-Church in the BushAnother Accident-Dinner Time.

Just before dark, a waggon arrived, and in it the clergyman and his family, who received a hearty welcome; none the less from the young people, that sundry boxes and hampers seemed to betoken an addition to their store of surprises. The sons turned out to be young men; the youngest as old as George, and both intended for the church. One of them was very merry, and soon became great friends with Tom; while the other was grave and serious, and was set down by Tom as a muff at once.

It required some arrangement to give them all beds; but in New Zealand people soon learn to make the best of everything, and the children had already arranged to sleep in the dining-room, giving their rooms up.

Neither Captain nor Mrs. Graham opposed this arrangement, knowing very well they meant to be busy all night, and that this change of rooms was the very best thing. that could have happened for them; so, after every one had retired, they stole to the outhouse, where they had hid their flowers, etc., and carried them into the dining

room.

Then they put up bunches of evergreens at regular