he is right; we are not only gaining, but we are gaining fast."

"How do you account for it?"

"I can't account for it."

"I can."

"How?" asked the amazed youth.

"God interposes many times when mortals do not see it," said the New
Englander reverently; "there is joy in heaven over one sinner that
repenteth. You have repented, and He has extended his hand to help
you."

"Perhaps you are right," replied Sanders, much impressed.

"I _know_ I am right."

"And I hope to prove worthy of such undeserved kindness. All I ask is
the opportunity."

"It shall be granted you. But, humanly speaking, there has been some
accident on board that craft yonder."

"It must be that; as a sailor, you know any one of a half dozen things
would be sufficient to throw them out of the race. A ripping of the
sail, a fracture of the mast, the breaking of the steering gear, or
some sudden quarrel would do the trick. Sufficient for us is it to
know that it has been done."

"God helps them that helps themselves," added Storms, "and we must
improve to the utmost the chance thrown in our way."

Naturally the fear of the two was that their pursuers might repair the
accident which was throwing them to the rear for the time, and regain
what was lost. They steadily fell behind, and, as soon as invisible,
the proa made an abrupt change in her course, with the view of
defeating the calamity that they feared threatened them. When this had
lasted for an hour, another change was effected, with the result, as
Sanders announced, that they were now heading directly for Wauparmur.

The eyes peering backward through the vivid moonlight failed to bring
the dreaded craft to view, and it was not yet midnight when Sanders
announced the thrilling fact that the twinkling lights, which appeared
in front like a constellation in the horizon, were made by the
dwellings in the native South Sea town of Wauparmur. All danger was
past, and about an hour later the proa glided in among the shipping in
that excellent harbor, made fast to the wharf, and the three
disembarked.

Fred led the way to a house of entertainment near the harbor, in which
he found good lodging for his friends.

Abram Storms carried all the precious pearls to his room and carefully
secured the door, after which he threw himself upon the bed and slept
as soundly as an infant.

Inez Hawthorne, in the solitude of her apartment, devoutly thanked her
Heavenly Father for His care, and then she,