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There was nothing in the boat that could possibly be used as a paddle; the scull was only five or six yards away, but to atte swept out to sea He ht have made the attempt, only that on the starboard quarter the for at the sa, could be made out only half veiled by the water

The bird perched on the gunwale seemed to divine their trouble, for he rose in the air, made a circle, and resumed his perch with all his feathers ruffled

Dick stood in despair, helpless, his hands clasping his head The shore was drawing away before hi The island was being taken away froreat hand of the sea

Then, suddenly, the little boat entered the race forht and left aroon; the sound of the surf suddenly increased as though a door had been flung open The breakers were falling and the sea-gulls crying on either side of them, and for a moment the ocean seemed to hesitate as to whether they were to be taken away into her wastes, or dashed on the coral strand Only for ahesitation lasted; then the power of the tide prevailed over the power of the swell, and the little boat taken by the current drifted gently out to sea

Dick flung himself down beside E the child to her breast The bird, seeing the land retreat, and wise in its instinct, rose into the air It circled thrice round the drifting boat, and then, like a beautiful but faithless spirit, passed away to the shore