"Well, we should ascend until we found a wind to carry us towards the mainland, where we could descend and find assistance."
"It is a forlorn hope, Duncan."
"Seems to me, though, that it is our last chance," said Morgan. "The water can't last long. What if it rains no more for months. All that could ever be found of us in that case would be our skeletons bleaching in the sun."
"Not so pessimistic, please, Morgan. I still have hope in God. If it be His will to help us we shall be rescued. If not, it is our duty to submit."
Truly a brave man was Talbot.
And the merchant-service has many a thousand such, who, without doubt, will be of infinite service to their country in our day of direst need--when wild war comes,
"In a fostering power, while Jack puts his trust
As fortune comes--smiling he'll hail her,
Resign'd still, and manly, since what must be must;
And this is the mind of a sailor."
————
Talbot arose at last.
"I cannot go," he said, almost solemnly, after gazing for over a minute at the blue above and the blue below, the sky without a cloud, the sea without a ripple. "For weal or for woe, boys, I must stay with my men. Now am I resigned. I will pray for you, lads, and so shall we all."