on the world of waters. As the light increased, she was
seen standing for the island. A shout rose from their throats, but they
themselves were startled by the hollowness of the sound.

The wind had been increasing. As she drew near, it raged furiously, and
a heavy surf beat everywhere on the shore. With sinking hearts, they
saw the ship haul her wind, and again stand off the dangerous rock.

"We are deserted," cried several voices, and loud complaints were made
of the stranger's indifference to their sufferings. They watched till
she was lost to sight, and most of them declared she would not return.

"If he is a Christian man I am sure he will," said Peter, who had been
sent up by the captain to ascertain how things stood. He returned with
his report.

"Don't be down-hearted, sir; God, you know, will take care of us. And
even if that ship sails away, He can send another," said Peter.

The flag was kept flying all day, and the beacon fire lighted again at
night.

A few herrings and some almost rotten cabbages now alone remained;
starvation threatened to overtake the shipwrecked mariners. Most of the
crew gave way to despair. One or two had become almost delirious from
hunger and talked of rushing into the sea and drowning themselves.

"If you do, mates, you will go into the presence of God Almighty with
another great sin unrepented of on your heads, besides those you have
already committed," said old Hixon. "Let us pray to God to help and
deliver us; we have no other hope."

His words had great effect among his late shipmates; for some time they
were far more orderly and quiet than they had been hitherto.

Another day passed and the gale continued blowing furiously, and the
stranger did not re-appear. Again they were on the look-out. At
daybreak she was not to be seen; the wind, however, had abated. As the
day drew on, Peter, who was on the look-out, caught sight of a small
speck in the south-east; it grew larger and larger.

"The ship; the ship!" he shouted out. The cry was taken up by those
scattered about on the rock, and passed on from one to the other. They
hurried away along the island in the direction she was seen. Peter
waited till he was sure there could be no mistake, and then hastened
down to the captain, feeling that the good news would cheer him up.
Bill and the black steward were on the opposite shore collecting
mussels. Hixon stood gazing at the stranger for some minutes, and t