Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/169

Rh "You have had no food for some hours: I have brought to you, poor things, some biscuit and a slice of ham."

Marion laughed with delight at the sight of the biscuit, for she was very hungry. Poor Frank put away the offered food; his heart was too full to eat, but he clasped the hand of the kind old man, who now turned to go away; but Marion cried to go with him.

"It does not matter," he muttered; "as well above as here."

He then took the child in his arms, and, Frank following with the lantern, they groped their way to the deck. They had not been there five minutes before an awful shock told their worst had come to pass—-they had struck upon a rock. A cry of "boats! boats!" now arose; and the lanterns shewed hurrying, and yet despairing, groups thronging to the side.

"Come, Michael!" said two sailors, rushing past. The old man made no reply, but seated himself on a broken fragment of wood, and placed Marion on his knee. Frank immediately took his sister's hand, and drew her towards himself. "Michael, you must not stay with us. God bless you; but go."