nearer the floating island. The wind increased; a drizzling
rain came down and almost concealed it from sight, so that we could not
tell whether or not we were continuing to approach it. This increased
my anxiety. Yet the hope of seeing my friend safe, once kindled, was
not to be extinguished; even should we not drive close enough to the
island to join each other, we still might meet elsewhere. All we could
do, therefore, was to sit quietly on the tree, and wait the course of
events.

One of the most difficult things to do, I have found, is to wait
patiently. Hour after hour passed by. The wind blew hard, and often so
high did the waves rise that I was afraid we might be swept off. What
would become of us during the long, dreary night? I felt the cold, too,
more than I had done since we began our voyage. How much more must poor
Duppo have suffered, with less clothing! I should have liked to have
lighted a fire; but with the rain falling, and the tree tossing about,
that was impracticable. We all three--Duppo, True, and I--sat crouching
together in the most sheltered part of the tree. Thus the hours of
darkness approached, and crept slowly on. Did I say my prayers? it may
be asked. Yes, I did; I may honestly say that I never forgot to do so.
I was reminded, too, to ask for protection, from feeling how little able
I was, by my own unaided arm, to escape the dangers by which I was
surrounded. I tried to get Duppo to join me. I thought he understood
me; but yet he could scarcely have had the slightest conception of the
great Being to whom I was addressing my prayers. I hoped, however, when
he knew more of our language, that I should be able to impart somewhat
of the truth to his hitherto uncultivated mind.

In spite of the rain, the darkness, and the movements of our tree, I at
length fell asleep, and so, I believe, did Duppo and True. I was awoke,
after some time, by a crashing sound, similar to that which had occurred
when we drove against the floating island. I started up. True uttered
a sharp bark. It awoke Duppo. Presently I heard a voice at no great
distance exclaiming, "What is that? Who is there?"

"Who are you?" I shouted out.

"I am Arthur! And oh, Harry! is it you?"

"Yes," I answered. "How thankful I am that you have escaped!"

"And so am I that you have been saved," answered Arthur. "But where are
you? I cannot find my way among the bough. Have you come off to me in
the canoe?