On the open ground by the shore stood his wife's pony-carriage, empty, the boy in attendance holding the horse.
When Barnet drew nearer, he saw an indigo-coloured spot moving swiftly along beneath the radiant base of the eastern cliff, which proved to be a man in a jersey, running with all his might.

He held up his hand to Barnet, as it seemed, and they approached each other.

The man was local, but a stranger to him.
'What is it, my man ?' said Barnet.
'A terrible calamity!' the boatman hastily explained.

Two ladies had been capsized in a boat--they were Mrs.Downe and Mrs.Barnet of the old town; they had driven down there that afternoon--they had alighted, and it was so fine, that, after walking about a little while, they had been tempted to go out for a short sail round the cliff.

Just as they were putting in to the shore, the wind shifted with a sudden gust, the boat listed over, and it was thought they were both drowned.