That day was spent—with the assistance of the Queen’s special servants—in saving from the vessel everything of value, especially stores, and the ship’s instruments.
Casks of rum and flour, casks of beans, and even butter, with nearly all the bedding and clothes. These latter were spread on the beach to dry. Inland, to the Queen’s mansion, everything else was borne on litters.
But the greatest “save” of all was the arms and ammunition, to say nothing of tools of every description, and canvas wherewith good tents might be built later on.
When all was secured that could be secured, and the remainder of the crew had joined them—
“Men,” said Dickson, “let us pray.”
Down on the coral strand knelt the shipwrecked men, while, with eyes streaming with tears, Captain Dickson prayed as perhaps he had never prayed before, to that Heavenly Father who had spared the lives of those before him.
The natives stood aside wonderingly, but they listened intently and earnestly when, led by their captain, the mariners sang a portion of that beautiful psalm:
“God is our refuge and our strength,
In straits a present aid;
Therefore, although the earth remove,
We will not be afraid.”