boat beyond the tongue of land and out of
sight. With hearts too full for utterance the men sat and wondered
what the future would bring. If by chance the boat fell in with a
merchant vessel--not a likely thing, as few vessels frequented this
route--help might come soon, otherwise under the most favorable of
circumstances they must wait for months for Green to go to Australia
and come back.

In the crow's nest of the mast which was still standing they kept a
constant watch in the hope of sighting a vessel and signalling of their
distress. Day after day went by with no sign of help. Mercilessly the
tropical sun burned down on the dreary sandbar. Scurvy broke out. The
small amount of rations which they had, water-soaked biscuits and
salted meats, increased their thirst, and to add to their distress the
cannibals on the opposite shore mockingly showed them bunches of
luscious bananas and other tropical fruits.

"Don't look there any more, Willy," said Peppo. "Those dreadful
cannibals are only just showing us the fruit to tantalize us, and if we
go after it we shall be murdered and eaten up the way I've told you
about."

"But, Peppo, I think the thirst is just as bad as being killed,"
complained Willy, "I'd just as soon be killed as die of thirst."

"That's just what my people were saying today," answered Peppo. "Lihoa
told them that they were to be patient a little longer, that the rain
would surely come for he had seen unfailing signs. We will bear the
thirst with patience for a little time yet. You know why I want them
to hold out. I want to convert them. My poor countrymen!"

"Peppo! how came you to think of that?" said Willy, looking at his
friend with open eyes.

"I don't know. Just a little while ago when I was praying the thought
came to me, and I firmly believe that God saved me from the cannibals
for this purpose. I have been talking to Lihoa and the others about
the belief in Jesus Christ and baptism, and many of them said that if
our God would save them now in their hour of peril, they would be
baptized. The most of them are looking for help from one of their gods
who rides on a Golden Fish. They expect he will be forced to rescue
them from this miserable reef through the offerings of one of their
priests."

"A God that rides on a Golden Fish? I'd like to see him," said Willy.
"You are right about advising them to be baptized. We may all perish
here before Tommy gets back with help.