RESCUED AND AT HOME


All that the poets from the beginning of time have written about
light could not express my joy as I saw that glimmer approaching on
the left. Before it appeared I had been awed by the tempest,
benumbed with cold, shivering in my wet clothes, and a prey to many
terrible fears and surmises; but now I cried, "Cheer up; here comes
a light."

Then in my gladness I shouted the greeting that met Mr. Jones
everywhere, "How are YOU, JOHN?"

A great guffaw of laughter mingled with the howl of the storm, and
my neighbor's voice followed from the obscurity: "That's famous--
keepin' up your courage like a soldier."

"Oh, I won't brag about keeping up my courage."

"Guess you didn't know what had become of me?"

"You're right and we didn't know what was to become of us. Now
aren't we nearly home? For we are all half frozen."

"Just let me spy a bit with the lantern, and I'll soon tell you
everything." He bobbed back and forth for a moment or two like a
will-o'-the-wisp. "Now turn sharp to the left, and follow the
light."