d an immense quantity of wood upon it. The flames now
blazed up bright, and on going back again to the boat, the water was
plainly visible as it closed around the bows.

Most anxiously he now awaited, with his eyes fastened upon the bottom
of the boat. He had not brought the old sail this time, but left it
over his tent, and he could see plainly. Higher came the water, and
still higher, yet none came into the boat, and Tom could scarce believe
in his good fortune.

At last the boat floated!

Yes, the crisis had come and passed, and the boat floated!

There was now no longer any doubt. His work was successful; his
deliverance was sure. The way over the waters was open. Farewell to
his island prison! Welcome once more the great world! Welcome home,
and friends, and happiness!

In that moment of joy his heart seemed almost ready to burst. It was
with difficulty that he calmed himself; and then, offering up a prayer
of thanksgiving, he pushed off from the shore.

The boat floated!

The tide rose, and lingered, and fell.

The boat floated still.

There was not the slightest sign of a leak. Every hour, as it passed,
served to give Tom a greater assurance that the boat was sea-worthy.

He found no difficulty in keeping her afloat, even while retaining her
near the shore, so that she might be out of the way of the currents.

At length, when the tide was about half way down, he found the fire
burning too low, and determined to go ashore and replenish it. A rock
jutted above the water not far off. To this he secured the boat, and
then landing, he walked up the beach. Reaching the fire, he threw upon
it all the remaining wood. Returning then to the boat, he boarded her
without difficulty.

The tide fell lower and lower.

And now Tom found it more and more difficult to keep the boat afloat,
without allowing her to be caught by the current. He did not dare to
keep her bows near the shore, but turned her about, so that her stem
should rest from time to time on the gravel. At last the tide was so
low that rocks appeared above the surface, and the boat occasionally
struck them in a very unpleasant manner. To stay so near the shore any
longer was not possible. A slight blow against a rock might rub off
all the brittle gum, and then his chances would be destroyed. He
determined to put out farther, and trust himself to Providence.

Slowly and cautiously he let his boat move out into deeper water.

But