"Most assuredly," said I, " thinking on us; but on God calling for help join her in prayer, my dear children, for herself dear Francis "

They fell on their knees with me, and I uttered the most fervent and earnest prayer that ever human heart poured forth; and I rose with confidence prayers were heard I proceeded with new courage creek that contained our pinnace, where Jack arranged all we had brought; we rowed creek, and when we were bay, we held council to consider side we were to commence our search of returning great bay, from whence our canoe taken; my sons, contrary, thought islanders, content with their acquisition, returning homewards, coasting along the island, when an unhappy chance had led their mother and brother shore, where the savages had seen them, and carried them off most, but be day ; but that was long enough us with dreadful anticipations I yielded opinion sons, which had great deal of reason on its side, besides the wind was favourable direction; and, abandoning ourselves in full confidence to Almighty God, we spread our sails, and were soon open sea

* * * * *

CHAPTER XLVIII

gentle wind swelled our sails, current carried us rapidly open sea I then seated myself helm, and employed the little knowledge I had gained during our voyage from Europe in directing our bark, avoid the rocks and coral banks that surrounded our island My two oldest sons, overcome with fatigue, had no sooner seated themselves on bench, than they fell into profound sleep, notwithstanding their sorrows Jack held out the best; his love sea kept him awake, and I surrendered the helm to him till momentary slumber, my head resting against the stern happy dream placed me midst family dear island; but shout from Ernest awoke me, calling on Jack to leave the helm, as contriving to run the vessel breakers coast I seized the helm, and soon set all right, determined not to trust my giddy son again

Jack, of all my sons, one who evinced most taste sea; but being so young when our voyage, his knowledge of nautical affairs was very scanty My elder sons had learnt more Ernest, who had great thirst for knowledge of every kind, had questioned the pilot on all he had seen him do He had learned great deal in theory, but of practical knowledge he had none The mechanical genius of Fritz had drawn conclusions from what ; this induced me much trust in him danger which I prayed Heaven averted What situation was mine for father ! Wandering through unknown and dangerous seas with my three sons, my only hope, in search of fourth, and beloved helpmate; utterly ignorant direct our course, or where trace we sought How often do we allay the happiness granted us below by vain wishes ! I had at regretted that we had no means of leaving our island; now we had left it, sole wish was to recover those we had lost, to bring them back , and never to leave it more I sometimes regretted that I had led my sons danger ventured alone; but I reflected that have left them, for Fritz had said, " savages had carried off the pinnace, swum from isle to isle till I had found them " My boys all endeavoured to encourage and console me Fritz placed himself rudder, observing pinnace was new and well built, and likely to resist tempest Ernest stood deck silently watching the stars, only breaking his silence by telling me to supply the want compass, and point out how direct our course Jack climbed dexterously up the mast to let me see his skill; we called him the cabin-boy, Fritz pilot, Ernest the astronomer, and I captain and commander expedition Daybreak showed us we had passed far island, which now only appeared dark speck I, as Fritz and Jack, was of opinion advisable round it, and try our fortune opposite coast; but Ernest, who forgotten his telescope, was certain land in direction he pointed out We took the glass, and were soon convinced right As day advanced, we saw the land plainly, and hesitate to sail towards it

appeared the land nearest to our island, we supposed the savages conveyed their captives there But more trials awaited us before we arrived there It being necessary to shift the sail, to reach the coast in view, my poor cabin-boy, Jack, ran up the mast, holding ropes; but before he reached the sail, the rope which he held broke suddenly; precipitated sea, and disappeared in moment; but he soon rose surface, trying to swim, and mingling his cries with ours Fritz, who first the accident, was water almost Jack, and seizing him hair, swam other hand, calling on him and keep afloat, and hold by him When my two sons thus struggling waves, that were very strong from land wind, , in my despair, have leaped in after them; but Ernest held me, and implored me to remain to assist in getting them pinnace He had thrown ropes , and bench which he had torn up strength of despair Fritz had contrived to catch ropes and fasten it round Jack, who still swam, but feebly, nearly exhausted Fritz considered an excellent swimmer in Switzerland; he preserved all his presence of mind, calling to draw the rope gently, while he supported the poor boy, and pushed him towards the pinnace At last able to reach and draw him up; and when him extended, nearly lifeless, bottom pinnace, I fell down senseless beside him How precious now composed mind of Ernest ! midst scene, calm and collected; promptly disengaging the rope body of Jack, he flung it back to Fritz, to help him in reaching the pinnace, attaching the other end firmly mast This done, quicker than write it, he approached us, raised his brother he might relieve himself quantity of water he had swallowed; then turning , restored me to my senses by administering some drops of rum, and by saying, "Courage, father ! saved Jack, save Fritz He has hold rope; swimming strongly; coming; here ! "

He left me to assist his brother, who was soon vessel, and in my arms Jack, perfectly recovered, joined him; and fervently did I thank God for granting me, midst trials, such moment of happiness help fancying this happy preservation was an augury success anxious search, bring back the lost ones to our island

"Oh, how terrified mamma ," said Jack, " me sink ! going, like stone, bottom sea; but I pushed out my arms and legs with all my strength, and up I rose "

He as Fritz was quite wet I had by chance brought some changes of clothes, which them put on, after giving each little rum They were fatigued, and so overcome by my agitation, that we were obliged to relinquish rowing, most unwillingly, skies threatened storm We gradually began to distinguish clearly the island we wished to approach; land-birds, which came to rest sails, hopes that reach it before night; but, suddenly, such thick fog arose, hid every object , even the sea itself, and we seemed sailing clouds it prudent to drop our anchor, as, fortunately, we had tolerably strong one; but there appeared so little water, that I feared we were near the breakers, and I watched anxiously fog to dissipate, and permit us the coast It finally changed into heavy rain, which with difficulty protect ourselves from; , however, half-deck pinnace, under which we crept, and sheltered ourselves Here, crowded close together, we talked over the late accident Fritz assured me never in any danger, plunge again sea that moment, if he had the least it would lead him his mother and Francis We all said the same; though Jack confessed that his friends, the waves, received his visit very politely, but had even beat him very rudely

"But bear ," said he, " mamma and dear Francis again , papa, savages could ever hurt them ? Mamma is so good, and Francis is so pretty ! and then, poor mamma is so lame yet; pity her, and carry her "

Alas ! hope as my boy did; I feared that force her to walk I tried to conceal other horrible fears, that almost threw me into despair I recalled all the cruelties cannibal nations, and shuddered that my Elizabeth and my darling child were perhaps in their ferocious hands Prayer and confidence in God were the only means, not to console, but to support me, and teach me to endure my heavy affliction with resignation I looked on my three sons, and endeavoured, for their sakes, to hope and submit The darkness rapidly increased, till it became total; we concluded night The rain having ceased, I went out to strike light, as I wished to hang the lighted lantern mast, when Ernest, who was on deck, called out loudly, "Father ! brothers ! come ! the sea is on fire ! " And, indeed, as far eye could reach, the surface water appeared in flames; this light, most brilliant, fiery red, reached even vessel, and we were surrounded sight at once beautiful, and almost terrific Jack seriously inquired, if not volcano bottom sea; and I astonished him much by telling him, light was caused by kind of marine animals, which in form resembled plants , were formerly considered such; but naturalists and modern voyagers have entirely destroyed this error, and furnished proofs organized beings, having all the spontaneous movements peculiar to animals They feel are touched, seek for food, seize and devour it; of various kinds and colours, known under the general name of zoophytes