That was
God's finger." All silently gave thanks for the sign.
"I thought," said David, "that the fire was the worst thing that could
have happened to me, but now I see it was my greatest fortune."
Then Uncle Philip said: "Our beloved ones at home are watching and
waiting for our return." So, Peter quickly busied himself with a stick
upon which he fastened some ribbons.
"What are you going to do with that?" asked David.
"I promised your sisters if we succeeded in finding you, to raise this
banner. How they will rejoice when they see it." Then and there he
fastened it to the prow of the ship.
Each moment brought them nearer home and David's heart beat high with
hope, for on the shore his mother and sisters and all the villagers, big
and little, were gathered. As David stepped on land, a cry of joy arose
from the people; but the mother's joy at seeing her David was so intense
that she wept.
Men and women, boys and girls, shook his hand and wished him a thousand
times welcome. David's mother wanted to hear his story and was about to
drag him home but the people wouldn't let her. "We want to hear it too,"
and they led him to a big linden tree and bade him step upon the seat
and tell his story. All pressed around him. All eyes were on him. When
it was still, David began. He told them of his dangers, trials and
suffering, and said, in the end, that these had taught him the things
which he had never learned before. "I am grateful to God for my
deliverance and for the joy of being with you all again.
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