ined in the same quarter, the boat
might be led by them to the place where they laid their eggs.

She listened to me with attention, and evidently understood what I said.
Her lips moved, and I thought she was returning thanks to God--
accepting the flight of the birds as a manifest proof that he was still
watching over us. In a few minutes she seemed so much better that she
could sit up. I noticed her for some time watching the gannets that now
approached in one vast cloud that threatened to shut us out from the
sky--she then turned her gaze in an opposite direction, and with a smile
of exultation that lit up her wan face as with a glory, stretched her
arm out, pointing her hand to a distant portion of the sea. My gaze
quickly followed hers, and I fancied I discovered a break in the line of
the horizon; but it did not look like a ship. I pointed the glass in
that direction, and felt the joyful assurance that we were within sight
of land.

This additional discovery gave me increased strength or rather hope now
dawning upon us, gave me an impulse I had not felt before. I in my turn
became the consoler. I encouraged Mrs Reichardt, with all the
arguments of which I was master, to think that we should soon be in
safety. She smiled, and something like animation again appeared in her
pale features.

If I could save her, I felt I should be blessed beyond measure. Such an
object was worth striving for; and I did strive. I know not how it was
that I gained strength to do what I did on that day; but I felt that I
was supported from on High, and as the speck of land that she had first
discovered gradually enlarged itself as we approached it, my exertions
to secure a speedy rescue for my companion from the jaws of death,
continued to increase.

The breeze remained fair, and we scudded along at a spanking rate, the
gannets keeping us company all the way--evidently bound to the same
shore. I kept talking to Mrs Reichardt, and endeavouring to raise her
spirits with the most cheering description of what we should do when we
got ashore; for God would be sure to direct us to some place where we
might without difficulty recover our strength.

Hitherto she had not spoken; but as soon as we began to distinguish the
features of the shore we were approaching, she unclosed her lips, and
again the same triumphant smile played around them.

"Frank Henniker, do you know that rock?"

"No!--yes!--can it be possible? O what a graci