iding across the heavens. The mate
watched them eagerly, for he saw that in several directions they were
sending down copious showers on to the still calm surface of the ocean.
Now on one side, now on another, he saw the rain falling, but none came
near where the raft lay. He would not arouse Walter--who was still
sleeping--knowing how the sight would tantalise him; but he knelt by his
side, and prayed that the rain might reach them. Then he stood up and
gazed around, hoping against hope that a sail might be in sight; but not
an object was to be seen. In every side to the edge of the horizon the
sea presented the same glass-like surface. The clouds were coming from
the north-east, and a breeze would probably spring up from that
direction. He stood watching the clouds, and while he watched he
bethought him of a plan for catching the rain should it come at last.
Two or three of the boat's planks were still not nailed down; he took
one of them, and with his knife split it into thin strips; these he
fastened together so as to form a large hoop; then casting off the sail
from the yard, he placed it over the hoop, and allowed it to sink down
in the centre, thus making a large basin. He next considered how the
precious water, if caught, could be preserved,--when he recollected that
he had secured a small empty water-cask under the stem of the raft. He
at once cast loose the lashing which held it, and hauled it on board;
and it apparently made but little difference on the buoyancy of the
raft. After some difficulty he got out the bung, and held it with the
hole downwards, to be sure that no salt water had got within; and
lastly, he placed it in readiness to be filled.

He had just accomplished his task, when, looking to windward, he
exclaimed, "Thank Heaven, it's coming!" He now touched his companion on
the arm. "Rouse up, my lad," he said; "we are not forsaken."

Walter slowly raised his head.

"There, there!" added the mate; "look at yonder blessed shower! It will
reach us before many minutes are over. I can almost see the drops as
they splash into the salt sea."

Poor Walter crawled to the other end of the raft, to hold up the hoop as
the mate bade him. The shower approached, its course marked by a line
of hissing bubbles. The sound of the drops, as they struck the surface
of the ocean and bounded up again could be heard. It reached them
sooner than they expected. They raised the sail which had been prepa