Beryl's Triumph by Eglanton Thorne

AND what of the children, of whom no trace save the floating picture could be found? Had the cruel sea indeed borne them away in its winding-sheet to sleep beneath its waves, leaving a darkened house and a desolate heart to mourn their loss?

It seemed to the terrified children that such must be their fate, as they watched the hungry waves coming each minute closer to the corner where they crouched.

Beryl had ceased to cry, and was trying to bring all the force of her mind to bear upon the contrivance of some plan of escape. The only idea which occurred to her was that she should have recourse to swimming, and try to get to land in time to secure succour for Coral ere it was too late.

But when she looked at the rough waves, battling together as they forced their way into the cave, and remembered at what a distant part of the beach the cave was situated, and how far she would have to swim before she could find a landing-place, Beryl's heart failed her. She felt that her childish strength would be no match for the pitiless might of the sea's opposing current. Yet she would have made the attempt, hazardous though it seemed, had Coral wished it; but her little adopted sister cried out in terror at the mere suggestion of Beryl's leaving her.

"Oh, Beryl, do not leave me; please do not leave me! " she cried; "I dare not stay alone in this dreadful place. Let us keep together, whatever happens. If we must be drowned, let us hold each other tightly, and then, perhaps, it will not seem quite so bad."

The children clung to each other as the waves washed over their feet. How awful seemed the death which threatened them in that gloomy place! How many persons at Egloshayle would have hurried to their rescue, had they known of their peril! But here, beneath the rock, shut in by the relentless waves, they were out of sight and sound of every human being, and Beryl felt sure that no one would know of their danger till it was too late to help them.

Her heart sank within her as she thought of her father. Ah, if he, far away in London, could have known what was his child's position at that hour! But he would know nothing till they told him she was dead.

Beryl leaned against the rock and sobbed alone, as she thought of what her father's anguish would be, when he heard that his little daughter was drowned.

Then she remembered that though no human friend knew of their danger, a Father's eye was upon them, a Father's ear could hear their cry for help. She recalled the words Mr. Gilbank had spoken concerning the "Father-King, all-mighty and all-loving."

"Coral! " she exclaimed, hope ringing in her voice. "Let us pray to God. We ought to have thought of that before. He can help us, if no one else can."

"Do you think He really can? " asked Coral sceptically, as with frightened eyes she watched the progress of the waves.

"Why, Coral, of course He can," returned Beryl. "Don't you remember how He saved Daniel in the lions' den, and Moses when he was left by the side of the river in the ark of bulrushes? And oh! Don't you know the story Mr. Gilbank told us of how God made a path right through the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk over? I'm sure if He did that, He can save you and me from being drowned."

"But what will He do? " asked Coral anxiously. "Will He make the waves go back?"

"I can't tell what He will do," said Beryl; "but I know He can save us if He will. And if He means us to die," she added, her voice suddenly faltering, "let us ask Him to make us good, and take us to heaven, for Jesus Christ's sake."

And so Beryl prayed in simple, childish words, coming from a heart strong in faith; and Coral tried to follow, but could not attend for her terror of the quickly advancing waves.

The water was already high about the children, a little longer, and it would sweep them away to death. As Beryl ended her prayer, her eyes fell upon the ledge of rock above her head, and the dark hole which she had fancied would make a convenient cupboard. The thought struck her that if they could climb to that, they would be for a time above the reach of the waves.

"Coral," she said, pointing out the place to her, "try if you can climb up there. Put your foot on my knee, and then catch hold of the seaweed, and draw yourself up. There, that's right; now are you safe?"

Yes, Coral was securely placed on the shelf of rock, and with some difficulty, Beryl managed to scramble up beside her.

Their courage rose on finding themselves a foot or two above the water, though Beryl felt pretty sure that it was only a temporary respite, and that ere the tide turned the waves would sweep over them where they sat. It was dull and melancholy work, sitting still to watch the rising of the water, and Beryl presently crawled along the ledge till she reached the hole which had before attracted her attention. It was a much larger opening than it had appeared from below.

The hollow seemed to extend a long way back, for stooping down and peering into it, Beryl could see light coming through, as if from an opening at a considerable distance.