Another hour, and the sea still fell. Another, and a wave struck the
boat with force. "The sea is coming in!" cried the minister.
"Ay," I answered. "She will go to pieces now."
The minister rose to his feet. "I am no mariner," he said, "but once
in the water I can swim you like any fish. There have been times
when I have reproached the Lord for that he cased a poor silly
humble preacher like me with the strength and seeming of some
might man of old, and there have been times when I have thanked
him for that strength. I thank him now. Captain Percy, if you will
trust the lady to me, I will take her safely to that shore."
I raised my head from the figure over which I was bending, and
looked first at the still tumultuous sea, and then at the gigantic
frame of the minister. When we had made that frail raft no
swimmer could have lived in that shock of waves; now there was a
chance for all, and for the minister, with his great strength, the
greatest I have ever seen in any man, a double chance. I took her
from the raft and gave her into his arms. A minute later the boat
went to pieces.
Side by side Sparrow and I buffeted the sea. He held the King's
ward in one arm, and he bore her safely over the huge swells and
through the onslaught of the breaking waves. I could thank God for
his strength, and trust her to it.
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