“Get up and have a look at her,” he answered.
One of them did so. On being convinced, some showed their satisfaction by leaping about and shouting, others growled out that she would not come near the land, but none thought of praying that she might be directed towards them, or showed any gratitude at the prospect of deliverance.
On came the ship, but as she neared the island the shades of evening concealed her from sight. The beacon was immediately lighted, but they had to remain all night in the uncertainty whether it had been seen.
How anxiously they waited for the return of morning, and how eagerly they cast their straining eyes in the direction she had last appeared as daylight broke on the world of waters. As the light increased, she was seen standing for the island. A shout rose from their throats, but they themselves were startled by the hollowness of the sound.
The wind had been increasing. As she drew near, it raged furiously, and a heavy surf beat everywhere on the shore. With sinking hearts, they saw the ship haul her wind, and again stand off the dangerous rock.
“We are deserted,” cried several voices, and loud complaints were made of the stranger’s indifference to their sufferings. They watched till she was lost to sight, and most of them declared she would not return.
“If he is a Christian man I am sure he will,” said Peter, who had been sent up by the captain to ascertain how things stood. He returned with his report.
“Don’t be down-hearted, sir; God, you know, will take care of us. And even if that ship sails away, He can send another,” said Peter.
The flag was kept flying all day, and the beacon fire lighted again at night.
A few herrings and some almost rotten cabbages now alone remained; starvation threatened to overtake the shipwrecked mariners. Most of the crew gave way to despair. One or two had become almost delirious from hunger and talked of rushing into the sea and drowning themselves.