His labor was not lost. He had won more than could be computed. He had won faith and hope, confidence in himself, an earnest purpose, which were to go through life with him, and bless him to the end of his days, and through the endless ages of eternity. He had worked earnestly; he had won untold riches.
The wind was tolerably fresh after the boats passed the reef, and in two hours they were near enough to a large island to enable the young voyagers to see the objects on the shore. But they followed the canoe beyond a point of the land; and, after a run of several miles more, they rounded another point, and discovered the tall masts of a ship, at anchor in a small bay.
"It may be many months before we can get home. This ship may have to cruise a year or two before she obtains her full cargo of oil."
"But we may find some way to get home. I have all the money I saved from the vessel, and we can pay our passage home."
The money reminded the orphan girl of her father, and she mused upon the past. The boat sped on its way, and in a short time reached the ship.
"Hallo, Noddy!" shouted Mr. Lincoln, as the boat approached. "And Mollie too!"
The mate was overjoyed to see them, and to find that they had been saved from the wreck. He leaped into the boat, took Mollie in his arms, and kissed her as though she had been his own child. He grasped the hand of Noddy, and wrung it till the owner thought it would be crushed in his grip.
"I was sure you were lost," said Mr. Lincoln.
"And we were sure you were lost," replied Noddy.