Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/28

4 of the ship containing our cabin was jammed between two high rocks, and was partly raised from among the breakers which dashed the forepart to pieces. As the clouds of mist and rain drove past, I could make out, through rents in the vaporous curtain, a line of rocky coast, and, rugged as it was, my heart bounded towards it as a sign of help in the hour of need. Yet the sense of our lonely and forsaken condition weighed heavily upon me as I returned to my family, constraining myself to say with a smile, “Courage, dear ones! Although our good ship will never sail more, she is so placed that our cabin will remain above water, and to-morrow, if the winds and waves abate, I see no reason why we should not be able to get ashore.”

These few words had an immediate effect on the spirits of my children, who at once regarded our problematical chance of escaping as a happy certainty, and began to enjoy the relief from the violent pitching and rolling of the vessel.

My wife, however, perceived my distress and anxiety, in spite of my forced composure, and I made her comprehend our real situation, greatly fearing the effect of the intelligence on her nerves. Not for a moment did her courage and trust in Providence forsake her, and on seeing this, my fortitude revived.

“We must find some food, and take a good supper,” said she, “it will never do to grow faint by fasting too long. We shall require our utmost strength to-morrow.”

Night drew on apace, the storm was as fierce as ever, and at intervals we were startled by crashes announcing further damage to our unfortunate ship.

“God will help us soon now, won't He, father?” said my youngest child.

“You silly little thing,” said Fritz, my eldest son, sharply, “don't you know that we must not settle what God is to do for us? We must have patience and wait His time.”

“Very well said, had it been said kindly, Fritz, my boy. You