CHAPTER XXIV.
AND but for the land-bird which rested on their mast, and for their own mercy in sparing it, they would have passed to the eastward, and never seen that giant palm-tree in mid-ocean.
"Oh, let us put out all our sails, and fly to it!" cried Helen.
Welch smiled and said, "No, miss, ye mustn't.

Lord love ye; what! run on to a land ye don't know, happy go lucky, in the dark, like that?
Lay her head for the tree, and welcome, but you must lower the mainsel and treble-reef the foresel; and so creep on a couple of knots an hour, and, by daybreak, you'll find the island close under your lee.

Then you can look out for a safe landing-place." "The island, Mr.Welch!" said Helen.
"There is no island, or I should have seen it." "Oh, the island was hull down.

Why, you don't think as palm-trees grow in the water?
You do as I say, or you'll get wrecked on some thundering reef or other." Upon this Mr.Hazel and Miss Rolleston set to work, and, with considerable difficulty lowered the mainsail, and treblereefed the foresail.
"That is right," said Welch.

"To-morrow you'll land in safety, and bury my messmate and me." "Oh, no!" cried Helen Rolleston.