"A good thought," said I. "Let us try to find what things there are in
the ship that we can thus make use of."

We soon found some casks and ropes, and with these we made a kind of
float for each of the three boys, and then my wife made one for her own
use. This done, we got some knives, string, and such things as we could
make fast to our belts. We did not fail to look for and find a flint
and steel, and the box in which the burnt rags were kept, for these
were at that time in use as the means to strike a light.

Fritz, who was now well-nigh worn out, lay down on his bed and slept
like the rest. As for me and my poor wife, we kept watch, each in fear
lest the next wave should lift the ship off the rock and break it up.

I need not tell you how glad we were when we saw the first gleam of
light. At dawn the wind did not blow so strong, the sky was clear of
clouds, and we saw the sun rise, and with it rose our hopes. I soon had
my wife and sons on deck.

"Where are the men?" said they. "How can we steer the ship?"

"My dear boys," said I, "He who has kept us safe till now will still
aid us. Let all hands set to work, and leave the rest to God."

At these words we all went to work with a will. My wife went to feed
the live stock; Fritz set off in search of arms, and the means to make
use of them; and Ernest made his way to the tool chest. Jack ran to
pick up what he could find, but as he got to one of the doors he gave
it a push, and two huge dogs sprang out and leaped at him. He thought