G. B. Lancaster

“ Her face was drawn into deep lines, and blackened and skinned by the sun, her swollen lips cracked to bleeding, and she tottered as she walked. But the Power that is greater than man's power shone in her eyes, and Dering knew again that Billy Hollan's "grand little girl" had a bigger grip on the infinities of life than he himself. ”

“ It makes me squint horribly, and I never admired squints much."
Dering slid the coral chips through his fingers in silence. Five times he had tried to scale the rough palm-boles for the crown of green cool leaves at the top. Then, in wrath and desperation, he had chipped the bark until his knife snapped. Now, strong man though he was, he could do nothing. And the spirit of this young brave-eyed girl was not his to thank God for. The stars were big in the purple plush of the sky. Somewhere a fish flopped, and the wet splash gave Dering a thought. ”

“ But the glory of earth was poor to the glory in her eyes and on her trembling mouth, and Dering looked away hurriedly. This girl's holy of holies was not for such as he to meddle with. Then he grew angry—with himself and with her.
"There's land of some sort ahead," he said. "We'd best try for it while our strength lasts. We are inside the reef, anyhow, for the sea is calm as a lagoon, and the sharks have let us alone so far."
Ten minutes later he staggered up the trend of the coral beach, dragged her after him, and fell on his face, exhausted. ”

“ Every man was on his feet—white-faced, staring, speechless. Below them a shudder ran through the Lulu from bowsprit to stern. She heaved with a groan like a wounded animal, lurched as the trade caught her sideways, and then shrieked in all her timbers as the jagged reef tore the side out of her.
Dering was at the boy's elbow as the two leapt aft to the cabins.
"She's in Number Five," said the boy, thick in his throat. "We can get her out. We must! We——"
Dering bad never spoken to the only white girl on board, but he understood. ”

“ The girl held up her slim fingers, crooking them as she counted.
"Men are unimaginative animals," she cried. "Listen till I tell you. First, we've got our lives. Second, we've got our strength. Third, we've got palm-trees to cut down and eat. Fourth, we've got hope—heaps and heaps of it. Haven't we?"
The quick bird-like turn of the head caught him unprepared. She read what his face was saying. ”

“ The wind blew up cold, and carrying the spray sheer over the little island. Dering pulled off his coat, wrapping it round the girl, unheeding her indignation.
"Don't let me have to allow the whole palm of pluck to a woman," he said. ”

“ The burly second officer stopped him with a jolly laugh.
"Almighty glad to see you!" he cried. "That little girl of yours is aft under the awning. We tied her down fur fear she blow away wi' the draught. But she's goin' to pull through. Yes, her pluck'll pull her through all right."
He passed on, and Dering hesitated. His face was gaunt yet, and his chest seemed sunken. The suffering that had been in his eyes on the island was there still, although the reason for it had changed. Suddenly he flung up his head, swung round, and walked down the deck. ”

“ Her lips were quivering and her eyes asked questions. But the gay words brought a throb of admiration to Dering's heart.
"She's game as a pebble," he told himself. "I wonder how women like her face death?" ”

“ And anything's better than the thirst madness. But if I feel that coming The sweat sprang out on him in terror of the thought. His muscles contracted. The roaring in his ears, brought by weakness, grew loud, wild, rampant. ”

“ A dozen more dabs within horizon-mark of equal merit with this—and that's all. The Lulu must have been clean off her course, for we should have raised the Santa Cruz group by now. Well, the Lord ha' mercy, for we're not likely to get much from man out here."
He went back to the girl, and she looked up at him, laughed, and pushed out her bare feet on the coral. ”