Day after day still passed away, gaunt Famine pressed again, Each turned away from each, as if smit with a sudden pain. They feared to meet each other's eyes and read the secret there, And each his pangs in silence strove a little yet to bear. The eye grew dim with looking out upon the weary main, Wave rolling after wave was all that answered back again. But night and morn and noon they prayed--oh blessed voice of prayer! That God would bring their trembling souls out of this great despair. Again the fatal die was cast; a man of powerful frame Slowly and with reluctant step to the dread summons came. Large drops of anguish on his brow--his lips were white with fear-- Oh 'tis a dreadful death to die! Is there no succor near? They looked around on every side, but saw no sight of cheer. "It is not for myself I dread," the sailor murmured low, "But for my wife and little babes, oh what a tale of wo!" "It shall not be," Mark Edward cried, "for their dear sakes go free. I have no wife to mourn my fate, let the lot fall on me." "Not so, oh generous and brave!" the sailor grateful said, "The lot is mine, but cheer thou her and them when I am dead." And turning with a calmer front he bade the waiting crew What not themselves but fate compelled, to haste and quickly do. But who shall do the dismal work? The innocent life who take? One after one each shrunk away, but no word any spake. Still hunger pressed them sore, and pangs too dreadful to be borne. "Be merciful, oh Father, hear! To thee again we turn." Then in their agony they strove, and wrestled long in prayer, Till suddenly they heard a sound come from the upper air, A sound of rushing wings, and lo! oh sight of joy! on high A great bird circles round the masts, and ever draws more nigh. In lightning play of hope and fear one breathless moment passed, The next, the bird has lighted down and settled on the mast. And soon within his grasp secure a seaman holds him fast. "Now glory be unto our God--and to His name be praise! Upon the deep he walketh, in the ocean are his ways, From ghastly fear our suppliant souls he royally hath freed, And sent us succor from the air in this our sorest need."