mmunicated his fears to Charley,
the boy was delighted with the way in which she flew over the foaming
waters.

"I didn't think you were going to give me such a sail as this, Dick," he
exclaimed.

"No more did I, Charley," answered Dick. "Maybe we shall not get back
as soon as we wish, but the weather looks fine. I hope we may, some day
or other."

Dick, however, was disappointed. The wind continued to freshen, and he
was compelled to stand on, fearing the risk of making another attempt to
regain the shore.

Night came on. He told Charley to take some food; but he was too much
occupied himself to eat. He then, making the boy lie down near him,
covered him up with a piece of canvas.

All night long he sat steering his boat and praying that the wind might
not further increase. As day dawned he cast a hurried glance astern;
the land was not to be seen. He had no compass, and even should the
wind change, he would have difficulty in regaining so small a spot. He
had not the heart to awake Charley, fearing that he would be frightened
on finding himself out of sight of land. At length, however, the boy
got up and gazed about him with an astonished look.

"Why, Dick, what has become of our island?" he exclaimed. "You never
told me you were going to leave it!"

"I wish I had never done so," said Dick. Charley saw that his friend
looked anxious.

"I don't know if we are in any danger; but if we are, remember, Dick,
that God took care of us on the raft, and can just as well take care of
us now. That's what you have taught me; and so I will pray to Him, and
I am sure He will hear me."

"Do, Charley, do," said Dick; "and I'll mind the ship."

All that day the boat ran on. Charley insisted on bringing Dick some
food, and putting it into his mouth, for he could not venture to leave
the helm for an instant. Charley himself seemed perfectly happy, for
after getting accustomed to the movements of the boat, the confidence he
had in his friend prevented him from thinking of danger.

At length the wind began to fall, and the sea went down, and in a few
hours a perfect calm came on. The boat floated without movement.

Dick determined, after he had had a few hours' sleep, to try and pull
back. He slept longer than he expected, and Charley, who sat watching
by his side, would not awake him. When at last he did open his eyes, it
was nearly dark. A thin mist spreading over the ocean and obscuring the
stars, he h