Willy delivered the message to Peppo, and climbed the mast, which after the destruction of the wreck had been put up on the shore as a place from which to keep a lookout for passing vessels rather than to spy on the neighbors opposite.  The sailors were so sick and weak that none of them could climb the mast to the crow’s nest, so the task always devolved on the two boys, who though they had eaten of the salt meat, had not as yet been attacked with scurvy.  This time instead of watching the sea Willy gave his attention to the natives who had built a raft and were manning it to cross the inlet and make an attack.  After reporting what he saw his uncle called to him to come down and help baptize the Chinamen.  Just then the boy glanced seaward and to his surprise discovered a ship lying at anchor not a mile away.  “Holy guardian angel!  Blessed Mother of God!” he cried in joy.  “A ship! a ship!  A ship in sight!  Ship—­ahoy!  Wait, wait, they’re coming!  They’re launching a small boat!” Willy was so excited that he did not know what he was saying, as he slid down the mast and ran for the shore followed by all his companions.

It was really true that a ship was at anchor but a short distance away and that the needed help was at hand, for, “When need is greatest God’s help is nearest.”  Just as the first raft loaded with cannibals attempted to land, a boat with Tommy Green at the helm appeared in the opening of the coral reef and a half dozen shots sufficed to frighten away the enemy.  A moment or two later Willy was in the arms of his old friend.  It did not take long for the men who had survived the horrors of life on the coral reef to make their way to “The South Star.”

What had been Tommy Green’s experiences at sea in an open boat?  He told of storms, a calm, hunger, and thirst, and how more than once he and his companions were in utter despair, but ever to their minds in the hour of greatest trial came the thought “Surely the guardian angels of those two innocent boys will not desert us.”

“And they have not,” said Tommy, “for they have brought us to you now when you needed us most.  Is that not true, my children.”

With good care and treatment the most of the sick recovered before “The South Star” put into the harbor of Hongkong.  On disembarking at Willy’s request the Captain gave each of the Chinamen a sum of gold, which to them seemed a great fortune.  Lihoa thanking the Captain for himself and his people said, “This is not the real treasure which we have brought home with us; our real treasure is the true religion.”  Full of joy they went back to their little hamlet where they told of their experiences and soon converted many of their people to the Christian faith.  Still greater than the rejoicing in the little hamlet was that at the College of the Holy Saviour when the shipwrecked boys put in their appearance.  Brother Onufrio shed tears of joy and Father Somazzo was deeply moved when told of the sufferings endured on the coral reef.  “God has done all things for the best,” he said, “and His guardian angels watched over you, my children, in your hour of greatest need.”