to the shore; but that was all. The current said: "No,
Aladdin, that is not just the place to land; come with me, and
bring the boat and the young lady." And Aladdin at once went
with the current.

"Margaret," he said, "I done my best." He crossed his heart.

"I know you done your best, 'Laddin." Margaret's cheeks were
on the brink of tears. "I know you done it."

They were dancing sportively farther and farther from the
shore. The water broke, now and again, and slapped the boat
playfully.

"We 've come 'most three miles," said Aladdin.

"I daren't go back if I could now," said Margaret.

Meanwhile Aladdin scanned the horizon far and wide to see if
he could see anything of Antheus, tossed by the winds, or the
Phrygian triremes, or Capys, or the ships having upon their
lofty poops the arms of Caicus. There was no help in sight.
Far and wide was the bubbling ruffled river, behind the
mainland, and ahead the leafy island.

"What'll your father do, 'Laddin?"

Aladdin merely grinned, less by way of explaining what his
father would do than of expressing to Margaret this: "Have
courage; I am still with you."