The Shipwreck - A Story for the Young by Joseph Spillman
page 79 of 80 (98%)
page 79 of 80 (98%)
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his surprise discovered a ship lying at anchor not a mile away. "Holy
guardian angel! Blessed Mother of God!" he cried in joy. "A ship! a ship! A ship in sight! Ship--ahoy! Wait, wait, they're coming! They're launching a small boat!" Willy was so excited that he did not know what he was saying, as he slid down the mast and ran for the shore followed by all his companions. It was really true that a ship was at anchor but a short distance away and that the needed help was at hand, for, "When need is greatest God's help is nearest." Just as the first raft loaded with cannibals attempted to land, a boat with Tommy Green at the helm appeared in the opening of the coral reef and a half dozen shots sufficed to frighten away the enemy. A moment or two later Willy was in the arms of his old friend. It did not take long for the men who had survived the horrors of life on the coral reef to make their way to "The South Star." What had been Tommy Green's experiences at sea in an open boat? He told of storms, a calm, hunger, and thirst, and how more than once he and his companions were in utter despair, but ever to their minds in the hour of greatest trial came the thought "Surely the guardian angels of those two innocent boys will not desert us." "And they have not," said Tommy, "for they have brought us to you now when you needed us most. Is that not true, my children." With good care and treatment the most of the sick recovered before "The South Star" put into the harbor of Hongkong. On disembarking at Willy's request the Captain gave each of the Chinamen a sum of gold, which to them seemed a great fortune. Lihoa thanking the Captain for himself and his people said, "This is not the real treasure which we |
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