d for that he cased a poor silly humble preacher
like me with the strength and seeming of some might man of old, and
there have been times when I have thanked him for that strength. I thank
him now. Captain Percy, if you will trust the lady to me, I will take
her safely to that shore."

I raised my head from the figure over which I was bending, and looked
first at the still tumultuous sea, and then at the gigantic frame of the
minister. When we had made that frail raft no swimmer could have lived
in that shock of waves; now there was a chance for all, and for the
minister, with his great strength, the greatest I have ever seen in any
man, a double chance. I took her from the raft and gave her into his
arms. A minute later the boat went to pieces.

Side by side Sparrow and I buffeted the sea. He held the King's ward
in one arm, and he bore her safely over the huge swells and through the
onslaught of the breaking waves. I could thank God for his strength, and
trust her to it. For the other three of us, we were all strong swimmers,
and though bruised and beat about, we held our own. Each wave, overcome,
left us nearer the islet,--a little while and our feet touched bottom.
A short struggle with the tremendous surf and we were out of the maw of
the sea, but out upon a desolate islet, a mere hand's-breadth of sand
and shell in a lonely ocean, some three leagues from the mainland of
Accomac, and upon it neither food nor water. We had the clothes upon our
backs, and my lord and I had kept our swords. I had a knife, and Diccon
too was probably armed. The flint and steel and tinder box within my
pouch made up our store.

The minister laid the woman whom he carried upon the pebbles, fell upon
his knees, and lifted his rugged face to heaven. I too knelt, and with
my hand upon her heart said my own prayer in my own way. My lord stood
with unbent head, his eyes upon that still white face, but Diccon turned
abruptly and strode off to a low ridge of sand, from the top of which
one might survey the entire island.

In two minutes he was back again. "There's plenty of driftwood further
up the beach," he announced, "and a mort of dried seaweed. At least we
need n't freeze."

The great bonfire that we made roared and crackled, sending out a most
cheerful heat and light. Under that genial breath the color came
slowly back to madam's cheek and lip, and her heart beat more strongly.
Presently she turned under my hand, and with a sigh pil