The moving light became stationary for a
moment, and a faint reply floated back to them over the waves. Again
Glynn raised his voice to the utmost, and the cheer that came back told
him that he had been heard.
But the very feeling of relief at the prospect of immediate deliverance
had well-nigh proved fatal to them both; for Glynn experienced a sudden
relaxation of his whole system, and he felt as if he could not support
himself and his burden a minute longer.
"Ailie," he said faintly but quickly, "we shall be saved if you obey at
_once_; if not, we shall be drowned. Lay your two hands on my breast,
and let yourself sink _down to the very lips_."
Glynn turned on his back as he spoke, spread out his arms and legs to
their full extent, let his head fall back, until it sank, leaving only
his lips, nose, and chin above water, and lay as motionless as if he had
been dead. And now came poor Ailie's severest trial. When she allowed
herself to sink, and felt the water rising about her ears, and lipping
round her mouth, terror again seized upon her; but she felt Glynn's
breast heaving under her hands, so she raised her eyes to heaven and
prayed silently to Him who is the only true deliverer from dangers. Her
self-possession was restored, and soon she observed the boat bearing
down on the spot, and heard the men as they shouted to attract
attention.
Ailie tried to reply, but her tiny voice was gone, and her soul was
filled with horror as she saw the boat about to pass on. In her agony
she began to struggle. This roused Glynn, who had rested sufficiently
to have recovered a slight degree of strength. He immediately raised
his head, and uttered a wild cry as he grasped Ailie again with his arm.
The rowers paused; the light of the lantern gleamed over the sea, and
fell upon the spray tossed up by Glynn. Next moment the boat swept up
to them--and they were saved.
The scene that followed baffles all description. Captain Dunning fell
on his knees beside Ailie, who was too much exhausted to speak, and
thanked God, in the name of Jesus Christ, again and again for her
deliverance. A few of the men shouted; others laughed hysterically; and
some wept freely as they crowded round their shipmate, who, although
able to sit up, could not speak except in disjointed sentences. Glynn,
however, recovered quickly, and even tried to warm himself by pulling an
oar before they regained the ship, but Ailie remained in a state of
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