'The scarlet strand

　　'The scarlet strand! I must remember it, and do my duty to the end.

　　Steer straight, old boy; and if you can't come into port, go downwith all sail set.'

　　Then, as the soft voice crooned on to lull the weary woman to afitful sleep, Emil for a little while forgot his burden in a dream ofPlumfield. He saw them all, heard the familiar voices, felt the gripof welcoming hands, and seemed to say to himself: 'Well, they shallnot be ashamed of me if I never see them any more.'

　　A sudden shout startled him from that brief rest, and a drop on hisforehead told him that the blessed rain had come at last, bringingsalvation with it; for thirst is harder to bear than hunger, heat, orcold. Welcomed by cries of joy, all lifted up their parched lips,held out their hands, and spread their garments to catch the greatdrops that soon came pouring down to cool the sick man's fever,quench the agony of thirst, and bring refreshment to every weary bodyin the boat. All night it fell, all night the castaways revelled inthe saving shower, and took heart again, like dying plants revived byheaven's dew. The clouds broke away at dawn, and Emil sprung up,wonderfully braced and cheered by those hours of silent gratitude forthis answer to their cry for help. But this was not all; as his eyeswept the horizon, clear against the rosy sky shone the white sailsof a ship, so near that they could see the pennon at her mast-headand black figures moving on the deck.

　　One cry broke from all those eager throats, and rang across the sea,as every man waved hat or handkerchief and the women stretchedimploring hands towards this great white angel of deliverance comingdown upon them as if the fresh wind filled every sail to help her on.

　　No disappointment now; answering signals assured them of help; and inthe rapture of that moment the happy women fell on Emil's neck,giving him his reward in tears and blessings as their grateful heartsoverflowed. He always said that was the proudest moment of his life,as he stood there holding Mary in his arms; for the brave girl, whohad kept up so long, broke down then, and clung to him half fainting;while her mother busied herself about the invalid, who seemed to feelthe joyful stir, and gave an order, as if again on the deck of hislost ship.

　　It was soon over; and then all were safely aboard the good Urania,homeward bound. Emil saw his friends in tender hands, his men amongtheir mates, and told the story of the wreck before he thought ofhimself. The savoury odour of the soup, carried by to the cabin forthe ladies, reminded him that he was starving, and a sudden staggerbetrayed his weakness. He was instantly borne away, to be half killedby kindness, and being fed, clothed, and comforted, was left to rest.

　　Just as the surgeon left the state-room, he asked in his brokenvoice: 'What day is this? My head is so confused, I've lost myreckoning.'

　　'Thanksgiving Day, man! And we'll give you a regular New Englanddinner, if you'll eat it,' answered the surgeon heartily.

　　But Emil was too spent to do anything, except lie still and givethanks, more fervently and gratefully than ever before, for theblessed gift of life, which was the sweeter for a sense of dutyfaithfully performed.