OPPORTUNITY

EDWARD ROWLAND SILL

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:-
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged

A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,

And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel -
That blue blade that the king's son bears- but this
Blunt thing!" he snapt and flung it from his hand,

And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,

And ran and snatched it; and with battle shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,

And saved a great cause that heroic day.

A VISIT TO THE WRECK

(From Swiss Family Robinson)

JOHANN RUDOLF WYSS

After breakfast, Fritz and I prepared to make a trip to the wreck, to take away from it as many things as we could. We fixed a post in the ground, and hoisted a piece of sail-cloth on it as a flag, and I told my wife that if anything should happen to her or the children during our absence, she was to haul down the flag and fire three shots as a sign to us to come to their help. I also told her that we might have to remain all night on the wreck.

Our little tub boat being ready, Fritz and I embarked. We took with us our guns and some ammunition, and Fritz brought the little monkey. We soon reached the wreck, a strong current of the water being then favorable to us, and entering through the breach, we made fast our boat, and stepped on board. Our first care was to see the animals, who greeted us with joy, lowing, bellowing, and bleating as we approached. The poor beasts were not hungry, for there was still plenty of food near them, but they were pleased by the sight of human beings. Fritz put

his monkey near one of the goats, and it began to suck as if the goat were its own mother.

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Now," said I, "we have plenty to do; where shall we begin?"

"Let us fix a mast and sail to our boat," answered Fritz, "for the current that brought us out will not take us back."

"Good thought," I replied; "let us set to work at once." I chose a stout spar to serve as a mast, and having made a hole in a plank nailed across one of the tubs, we soon fixed it upright. We then hoisted a sail which had belonged to one of the ship's boats, and our craft was in good going trim. Fritz begged me to decorate the masthead with a red streamer, to give our vessel a more finished appearance. I did so, and I then made a rudder with which to steer the boat.

So much time had now slipped away that we found we could not return that night. We spent the rest of our time in taking out the stones we had placed in the boat for ballast, and stowing in their place heavy articles of value to us. The ship had sailed with a supply for a young colony, and so she had on board a great many useful things.

We first secured a large quantity of powder and shot, three excellent guns, and a whole armful of swords and daggers. We laid in a large stock of knives and forks,

and kitchen utensils of all sorts. In the captain's cabin we discovered silver plate and some good wine. We then went through the stores, and got potted meats, meat jelly for soup, hams, a bag of maize and wheat, and a quantity of other seeds and vegetables. I found a barrel of sulphur, which I knew would be useful for making matches, and I also found a good deal of cordage. All these, with nails, tools, and agricultural implements, completed our cargo.

Night now drew on, and with a prayer for the safety of our dear ones on shore, we wrapped ourselves up in woollen coverlids which we had found in the wreck and lay down to sleep.

At daybreak Fritz and I arose and went on deck. I took a telescope I had found in the cabin, and, turning it toward the land, saw to my great delight that the flag was waving in the morning breeze, showing that my wife and the children were all safe. We then began to consider how we could get our live stock ashore.

"I can think of nothing," said Fritz, "unless we make swimming belts for them."

"That is a good thought," said I, and I at once caught a sheep and fastened a broad piece of linen around its body, and attached to it some corks and empty tins. Then we swung the animal into the sea. It sank, but a moment afterward rose and floated.

We next caught the other animals, the cow, goat, ass, and the other sheep, and did the same with them. The sow kicked and squealed so that I thought we should have to leave her; but at length we succeeded in sending her out after the others, and when once in the water, such was her energy that she was the first to reach the shore.

We had fastened to the horns or neck of each animal a cord with a float attached to the end, and, now embarking, we gathered up these floats and set sail.

Soon after starting I put my glass to my eye to try if I could see any of my family on shore. But suddenly I heard a cry from Fritz, and, turning around, I saw him pointing his gun at a large shark, which was making for one of our sheep, and had turned on his side to seize his prey. Fritz fired, and the monster at once disappeared, leaving a trace of blood in the water.

We soon got near the shore, and, steering the boat to a convenient place, I cast off the ropes which held the animals, and let them get to land as best they could. My wife and children appeared a few moments after we stepped ashore, and with a shout of joy ran toward us. Fritz, Ernest, and I then began the work of unloading our craft, and Jack soon came to help us.

"But I have not been idle all day," said Jack. here," and he pointed to a belt around his waist.

"Look

It was