in towards shore, which, if nothing, such as adverse winds, happens to change our course, I think that sometime to-morrow we shall reach the island or reef, whichever it is.”

“Are we not in danger of running on some hidden reef?” said Allen.

“Yes, we do run some risk of that, but we must do the best we can.”

As night came on, the weary wanderers over the face of the waters, composed themselves to rest with a feeling of almost security, so nearly ended seemed their trials of the past week. The three sailors, Allen and the captain went on watch by turns throughout the night. By the early morning light how anxiously all the party scanned the shore, which could now be seen quite plainly. The waves gently lifted the boat and each moment seemed to carry it onward, in a manner that was meant to compensate for the roughness with which the waves had handled the staunch little craft a few days before.

“I think,” said Captain Gray, “that we are inside of a large reef and that fact accounts for the calmness of the sea.”

“We are lucky that the wind keeps favorable,” said Allen. “What in the world should we do if the wind should go down?”

“Well, Allen,” answered Mabel, “we must trust 28in providence. God has so far brought us out of our perils, and we should not now, doubt His goodness, or power to protect us.”

28

“I know Mabel, yet I cannot help feeling as if, were we again to be driven out to sea, it would be harder to bear than our trials of the last week have been.”

“But see, Allen,” broke in Etta, “we can actually see the shore and what is on it.”

“You mean, what is not on it, don’t you?” said Allen. “I don’t see anything but a mass of reddish brown rock.”

“I must say it is not a very promising looking shore” answered Etta, “but I shall be thankful to reach it, no matter what there is on it. I have such a horror of this boat, from which my mother and sister have been snatched by death.”

Nearer, and nearer they came to the shore. At last a grating sound under the keel, was heard. They had gone as far as possible. One of the sailors sprang out, and found the water quite shallow, and waded ashore. He soon came back, and, with the help of the other sailors, carried ashore what was left of the provisions. Going on shore a second 

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