n his memory, or confused by
those from whom he heard the story of Lionel and Arabella, but there
seems no reason to doubt the chief facts which he relates. The cross
erected over the graves of the husband and wife was preserved in Madeira
till at least the early part of this century, and possibly is still to
be seen.

ST. HELENA.

In the days when voyages were more tedious and dangerous than they are
now, when steam was unknown, and the art of navigation little studied,
it was especially important to secure safe resting-places for vessels
bound on distant voyages. Halfway ports where the health of the sailors
might be recruited, where the ship often battered and leaking, might be
repaired, and stored once more with water and fresh vegetables, were
absolutely essential to safe and profitable commerce.

But until about the year 1500 the Venetian traders to India had found no
such harbor of refuge in the South Atlantic. Their ships came and went
nevertheless, and if many were lost, yet the profits of the trade were
such as to repay the merchants for many a bale of rich goods which lay
beneath the waters, and to lead Venice to guard as one of her most
valuable rights the trade with India.

The Portuguese also were merchants and explorers, and had a large and
important navy, and they were not content to leave the Indian traffic
wholly in the hands of the Venetians. Therefore about the year 1501
three vessels were sent out to India by the Portuguese Government. On
their return voyage during May of the following year a sudden and
violent storm overtook them.

They were in the midst of the wide Atlantic, driven backwards and
forwards by the furious wind and waves.

One of the ships was separated from the other two, and was in greater
danger. All hope of guiding her was at an end, and the captain and crew
stood waiting in despair for the death which could not be far distant.

It seems probable from that which afterwards happened, that some at
least among the sailors thought, in their danger, on God, and cried to
Him to save them. And we may well believe this to have been so. There
are but few who when trouble is near forget God. It is in smooth and
fair water, in calm and sunshine, that we are so ready to think that we
can guide and help ourselves. When the clouds gather, and the
storm-winds blow, then we cry unto God in our trouble. And God is so
good that He does not turn away from those who call on Him in the