ernment of
the Order during his absence.

Francis, and his companion, whose name we are not told, embarked at
Ancona. How they got their passage without any money we do not know,
but it is evident that they managed it somehow. When they were well
out to sea, such a storm arose as caused them to seek refuge on the
coast of Illyria. It was supposed at first that the delay would only
be one of a few weeks, but the stormy weather persistently continuing,
it soon became evident that it would be impossible to cross the Levant
at that season of the year. This was a great disappointment to
Francis, but he was far from being discouraged. He determined to
return to Ancona. A vessel was about to sail, and he presented himself
as a passenger, but as he had no money they refused to take him on
board.

[Sidenote: _A Dilemma!_]

Here was a dilemma! But help was at hand. One of the ship's officers,
a good man, was touched by the harshness with which the missionaries
were treated, so he went to Francis and told him that he would take
them on board. He conducted them down into the hold, and hid them
behind some horses there. Hardly had they been deposited when an
unknown friend brought an enormous basket of provisions, and, giving
it to their benefactor, said--

"Take this, take great care of it, and as the need arises, distribute
it to the poor brethren you have hidden."

The need soon arose. Another fearful storm beat the vessel about to
such an extent that the voyage was prolonged far beyond the usual
limit. Provisions were exhausted and a famine threatened the unhappy
crew. Then Francis, hearing of the distress, crept out from among the
horses, explained his presence, and said that he had food which he
would be glad to share with them. The legend tells us that the food
was miraculously made to last the voyage; the real fact was probably
that the basket contained large supplies of beans, and lentils, and
macaroni, and such Italian foods that swell in the cooking, and go a
long way.

[Sidenote: _In Spain._]

Arriving at Ancona, Francis began to preach. He had a wonderful time,
and a great number of clerics and laymen joined the Order. Part of
them Francis took with him to the Portiuncula, and offered them to God
as the price of his failure! After watching over them for a few weeks,
he left them in good hands, and turned his attention again to foreign
mission work. The east had been closed to him, but that was no reason
why t