In the crow’s nest of the mast which was still standing they kept a constant watch in the hope of sighting a vessel and signalling of their distress.  Day after day went by with no sign of help.  Mercilessly the tropical sun burned down on the dreary sandbar.  Scurvy broke out.  The small amount of rations which they had, water-soaked biscuits and salted meats, increased their thirst, and to add to their distress the cannibals on the opposite shore mockingly showed them bunches of luscious bananas and other tropical fruits.

“Don’t look there any more, Willy,” said Peppo.  “Those dreadful cannibals are only just showing us the fruit to tantalize us, and if we go after it we shall be murdered and eaten up the way I’ve told you about.”

“But, Peppo, I think the thirst is just as bad as being killed,” complained Willy, “I’d just as soon be killed as die of thirst.”

“That’s just what my people were saying today,” answered Peppo.  “Lihoa told them that they were to be patient a little longer, that the rain would surely come for he had seen unfailing signs.  We will bear the thirst with patience for a little time yet.  You know why I want them to hold out.  I want to convert them.  My poor countrymen!”

“Peppo! how came you to think of that?” said Willy, looking at his friend with open eyes.

“I don’t know.  Just a little while ago when I was praying the thought came to me, and I firmly believe that God saved me from the cannibals for this purpose.  I have been talking to Lihoa and the others about the belief in Jesus Christ and baptism, and many of them said that if our God would save them now in their hour of peril, they would be baptized.  The most of them are looking for help from one of their gods who rides on a Golden Fish.  They expect he will be forced to rescue them from this miserable reef through the offerings of one of their priests.”

“A God that rides on a Golden Fish?  I’d like to see him,” said Willy.  “You are right about advising them to be baptized.  We may all perish here before Tommy gets back with help.  And if we do, the Chinese with the holy grace of baptism will go to heaven.  If we are all saved, then they will take back with them to Hongkong a greater treasure than all the gold of the Goldland to the south.  That would be such a fine thing for yon, Peppo!  Do you not remember what Father Somazzo said about the saving of a soul—­that one precious soul was worth more to God than all the gold and jewels in the world.  What a happy boy you will be, if you save not one but three hundred souls?  Oh, if I only understood Chinese and could help you explain our faith!”

“You can help by offering this awful desire for water to God as a sacrifice.  Father Somazzo used to tell us to offer up many unpleasant little things as sacrifices to God for the conversion of the heathens and promised us our reward for so doing.”