ee how God
cares for his army! Who would remain here, when there lies a path in
the sea, between emerald walls, to the land where glory waits us?"

So saying they slept that night, in proud and peaceful hope of the
morning's glory, and in the morning rushed early to the shore, that
they might see the path across which they were to journey to the
promised land. Alas for hopes and promises and visions! The blue waves
rippled--the sea rolled on. Hours wore away and yet no path was cleared
through the depths, night all too soon came on, and there was no
alternative for the army but to leave the city, and then decide upon
their next step. Some of the children awoke to the deception of that
undivided sea and resolved to stay in Genoa under the conditions
imposed by the Senators, for the comforts of the city appealed strongly
to them after such hardships as they had experienced.

But on that day, Sunday, August 26th, the remainder of the army which
had so proudly and happily entered the city on the day before, went
from its gates with hanging heads and sad hearts--a crestfallen band.
Outside the city walls they gathered in a field near by, to discuss
their plans for the future. Was it wiser to stay and perhaps die in
sunny Italy, than to lose their lives on the weary journey separating
them from their homes?

One cheery lad made answer, "Are there no other cities which will give
us shelter? Why think that Genoa was meant to be the place at which the
way through the sea was to be made? Let us push on to the southward
until we find the passage which God has promised!"

His courage was contagious, as courage always is, and the diminished
band decided to press on still further, until God should show his sign.
This resolve made, all turned to Nicholas for his approval of their
decision, and so intense had been their excitement during the
discussion of their plans that no one had noticed that their leader was
no longer one of the group. Alas, for his consecration to a sacred
calling, Nicholas was not to be found, either then or later! Their
leader, who had led them on to glory, where was he? No one ever knew.
Never again was Nicholas seen by any one of those comrades who had
followed him so far and so faithfully, trusted him so fully, and barest
surmise fills in the mystery of his disappearance.

Nicholas was no high-strung, emotional boy, carried away, as was
Stephen, by the glory of his holy calling, he was a calm quiet lad,