peril and disaster over a hearty and refreshing repast.

Then the whole party stretched themselves at ease under the trees; they
recounted to each other their adventures and discoveries. It was clear
that they were on an island, and that this island was far distant from
any known land. There appeared no doubt that it was uninhabited and
unknown, and great was the satisfaction of the captain in the thought of
carrying home to Portugal the tidings of a discovery so important. For
all saw what great service would be done to Portuguese commerce by the
establishment of a half-way station on their return from India, and the
feeling of regret for their lost ship was swallowed up and forgotten in
delight at the honor which they should receive at having first planted
the flag of Portugal on the Island of St. Helena, for thus did the
captain name the newly-found island.

The sailors made no doubt that now the violence of the storm was over,
that they would soon be rescued from their imprisonment by the other
ships, and meanwhile they set heartily to work to build their church.

The ship's carpenter undertook the principal directions, while the
captain determined on the best site for the new building, and marked its
outline on the turf.

Willing hands made the work light, and ere many days had passed the
church began to rise, plank by plank, amid the palm-trees and leafy
shade around.

The two remaining ships soon arrived, and their crews stayed long enough
to complete the church, and to lay in a store of fruit, turtles, and
fresh water, and then all set sail for Portugal, and St. Helena for long
years was henceforth reckoned among the possessions of that crown.

But though highly prized as a resting-place for ships, it did not at
first become a colony. Two small dwellings were built on either side the
church, but none inhabited them for about twelve years, when a
Portuguese nobleman, named Lopez, came to live there in banishment, with
no companions but three or four negro slaves, who under his direction,
cultivated the soil, planted and reared many new kinds of trees and
fruits, and tended the fowls and animals which were abundantly supplied
for his needs.

He did not, however, continue many years in St. Helena, and long the
island remained without inhabitants.

Sometimes a passing ship would leave one or more of her crew, who were
ill, that they might be restored by the vegetables and fruits, the pure
air and clear wate