Page:Aladdin O'Brien (1902).pdf/24

 the Phrygian triremes, or Capys, or the ships having upon their lofty poops the arms of Caicus. There was no help in sight. Far and wide was the bubbling ruffled river, behind the mainland, and ahead the leafy island.

"What'll your father do, 'Laddin?"

Aladdin merely grinned, less by way of explaining what his father would do than of expressing to Margaret this: "Have courage; I am still with you."

Laddin, we're not going so fast."

They had run into nominally still water, and the skiff was losing momentum.

"Maybe we'd better land on the island," said Aladdin, "if we can, and wait till the tide turns; won't be long now."

Again he plied the oars, and this time with success. For after a little they came into the shadow of the island, the keel grunted upon sand, and they got out. There was a little crescent of white beach, with an occasional exclamatory green reed sticking from it, and above was a fine arch of birch and pine. They hauled up