the abyss。
He looked up once more； the huge bird had disappeared； his hand was at the very extremity of the broken rope……when； just as his convulsive grasp was failing； he was seized by the men； and with the child was placed on the level ground。
The fearful strain of anxiety removed； a reaction took place； and Harry fell fainting into the arms of his friends。
CHAPTER XII NELL ADOPTED
A COUPLE of hours later； Harry still unconscious； and the child in a very feeble state； were brought to the cottage by Jack Ryan and his panions。 The old overman listened to the account of their adventures； while Madge attended with the utmost care to the wants of her son； and of the poor creature whom he had rescued from the pit。
Harry imagined her a mere child； but she was a maiden of the age of fifteen or sixteen years。
She gazed at them with vague and wondering eyes； and the thin face； drawn by suffering； the pallid plexion； which light could never have tinged； and the fragile； slender figure； gave her an appearance at once singular and attractive。 Jack Ryan declared that she seemed to him to be an unmonly interesting kind of ghost。
It must have been due to the strange and peculiar circumstances under which her life hitherto had been led； that she scarcely seemed to belong to the human race。 Her countenance was of a very unmon cast； and her eyes； hardly able to bear the lamp…light in the cottage； glanced around in a confused and puzzled way； a