YVIP

from Irida when he brought her the news that Axcel would hive.

The hours passed, nine, ten, cleven and still the hittle craft ])msuul IS Wav l)ut how slowly it went! It was impossib I steer straight for the rock. Robert was obliced to steer first to this side, then o that, in order to avold the floating 1ce,

At last the rock was reached. The heavy surf rendered it difficult to land 3 but, having selected a suitable spot, Robert Towered the sail with considerable trouble, and, taking hold of the rope, he sprang from the boat upon a ledge. His feet slipped @ by oo tre-

mendous effort he my maged to clute h a point of rock, and, 1 spite of the foami NY WAVeS, a small ])]IUUHII

he succeeded in reaching

L LA D o LU

of rock, upon winch he scrambled. sade and sound. e sull retaimed his hold of the rope, and although the boat had been driven violently against the reef, he knew that her planks were solid, and he was not at all un-

DL ACK

e e ol T e PR LaTe Tl

Toth N POINTT o

J /RGN, S

ot ot

madc \ir tfm her to

Robert the Dlack

casv o about getting back. his wayv to the figure of

and. kneceling down, implored work o muiracle ves, a miracle: for Axel was nich unto death. Dut this was the favourable night, and the Virgm ought to reward the heroism of one who had gone through so many perils to implore her

When he had finished, he looked towards the sea.

“Amo T dreaming ? 7 he exclamed. out at sca was another boat, similar own, and this boat was a])puwtl' making [or the rock. Here and there, between thu blocks of 1ce, the scecond boat made its way, holdly pursuing its course mn the midst of those: moving mountains. There was no

l'or to his

KOUK,

doubt that 1ts destination was the rock of the Black Virgin.

A sudden thought flashed through Robert's mind. and made him shiver with anxicty - sup- posing 1t were I'rida i that Loat! Supposc