They sat very silent, and
the men on the path towed them swiftly along. The moon uncovered her face
for a moment, and shone upon the faces of two of the rowers.
"Percivale! Joe!" I cried.
"All right, sir!" said Joe.
"Does your wife know of it, Joe?" I almost gasped.
"To be sure," answered Joe. "It's the first chance I've had of returning
thanks for her. Please God, I shall see her again to-night."
"That's good, Joe. Trust in God, my men, whether you sink or swim."
"Ay, ay, sir!" they answered as one man.
"This is your doing, Percivale," I said, turning and walking alongside of
the boat for a little way.
"It's more Jim Allen's," said Percivale. "If I hadn't got a hold of him I
couldn't have done anything."
"God bless you, Jim Allen!" I said. "You'll be a better man after this, I
think."
"Donnow, sir," returned Jim cheerily. "It's harder work than pulling an
oar."
The captain himself was on board. Percivale having persuaded Jim Allen, the
two had gone about in the crowd seeking proselytes.
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