CHAPTER XIII.
THE ADVENTURE AT THE STACK "Ten cables from where green meadows And quiet homes could be seen, No greater space From peril to peace, But the savage sea between!"-- EDWIN ARNOLD.
The Easter holidays at Roslyn lasted about ten days, and as most of the boys came from a distance, they usually spent them at school.

Many of the usual rules were suspended during this time, and the boys were supplied every day with pocket-money; consequently the Easter holidays passed very pleasantly, and there was plenty of fun.
It was the great time for excursions all over the island, and the boys would often be out the whole day long among the hills, or about the coast.

Eric enjoyed the time particularly, and was in great request among all the boys.

He was now more gay and popular than ever, and felt as if nothing were wanting to his happiness.

But this brilliant prosperity was not good for him, and he felt continually that he cared far less for the reproaches of conscience than he had done in the hours of his trial; sought far less for help from God than he had done when he was lonely and neglected.
He always knew that his great safeguard was the affection of Russell.
For Edwin's sake, and for shame at the thought of Edwin's disapproval, he abstained from many things into which he would otherwise have insensibly glided in conformation to the general looseness of the school morality.