And others, not so fortunate, with strength fast leaving them, still swam the waters seeking and groping in vain for some object to sustain them.
Then, right in the midst of all their terrible danger, when hope was fast departing from all hearts, a wonderful thing happened.
There came a sudden radiance that was not the lightning’s flash, illuminating old Father Neptune and a bevy of lovely-faced dryads in a golden chariot that furiously galloping seahorses drew across the waves.
In a brief space no longer than a second the God of the Sea and his beauteous attendants passed on out of sight, but almost with their disappearance the lightning and thunder ceased, as did the rain, the wind died down, the stars once more shone out, and the water grew as smooth as glass.
When buffeted no longer by boisterous winds and waves the chance the Brownies had to save themselves increased immeasurably.
They could now see and hear each other, and when some one swimming in the water called for help there were those on debris who reached over and pulled their exhausted comrade on board.
They shouted at each other in the dark, and by using their feet as paddles contrived at last to bring whatever they floated on close together. Then King Stanislaus, who with Prince Florimel was a-straddle of a log, with much anxiety began to take an inventory of the band.
To his infinite relief no one was missing but the Dude, but this misfortune in itself was enough to dampen their spirits, for the companion who had been carried off by the gigantic bird was very much beloved.
“Aye, aye!” growled the Sailor, cocking his weather-eye out through the slats of the hen-coop. “We’re all here, even to Euphrosyne’s dove!”