When they reached home, they told the mother their happy conjecture at
once, and a faint ray of hope filled her heart.
The neighbors were now called together, but their ideas on the subject
were varied.
"Nonsense," cried one. "How did that island get there. I never heard
about it in my life. It must be a burning ship."
"No," cried another, who always thought he knew better than anybody
else, "that's no ship, but a volcano sending out its fire. I have often
heard that such islands appear over night. We would come to a nice
place, if we should sail near such a fire-brand."
"It's either a ship or a volcano," said a third; "but for a hundred
dollars I wouldn't go over there in such little boats as we have."
"If you'll pay me," said a fourth, "I will go, but not otherwise."
The old, honest Uncle Philip raised his quiet voice, and said: "Brother,
I will go with you. Here is my hand on it. David was my beloved nephew.
It may not be certain that he lives, hardly probable, but still
possible. Therefore it is worth the trouble of undertaking the dangerous
trip; and God, who gives us courage to go ahead, will also see us
through."
Peter, a young, strong lad, shouted: "I will go too. I have often risked
my life for a fish, so I'll risk it now to save a human life, if I can.
I want no money, for as long as I live I would be happy in the thought
that I had helped to save David, and this thought would be a sufficient
reward."
"God give us all this joy," said Uncle Philip.
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