“But now I am minded of thy purpose to see me again. Thou art welcome, and I count thee to be discreet; but before I hearken to thy message, I must tell thee that unless a miracle take place, the Salapiæ will go down, and all on board perish!”
Serenus was silent for a moment, and Vivian continued,—
“I must leave thee straightway, until once more I make inquiry concerning the water in the hold! But soon I will return.”
He left Serenus clinging to one of the smaller masts, and slowly made his way to the speaking-tube to get another report. In response to his signal, hollow tones full of direful prophecy came up,—
“Three cubita full!”
The pumps were doing their utmost, and the master fully realized that the contest was hopeless. But he was brave.
Heroes are not the exclusive product of any one time, race, or religion.
He said nothing to the crew of the increasing peril, but with cheerful tones encouraged their efforts. Skilfully guiding his course to the place where Serenus was waiting, he said,—
“O Hebrew! though thou art young, I am persuaded of thy wisdom. Speak now, and I will listen to thy message.”
The darkness was so dense that neither could behold more than the dim outlines of the other’s form, and the noise made conversation impossible except as their faces were almost together. Each put his hand upon [pg 286]the shoulder of the other, while they steadied themselves by the mast. But both were as serene as if they were basking in the summer sunshine upon a favored shore.