The Seven Years of Seeking 113

brief tribulations, got within sight of the
shore they sought.

The song was one of a longing for peace
and deep sleep and dreamful joy and love in
the valleys of the isle; and it bade the Sea-
farers come to them, and take repose after
cold and hunger and toil on the sea. Tears
of gladness ran down the cheeks of several
of the Seekers as_they listened, and one of
them cried aloud: “O brothers, we have
come far, but it is worth the danger and
the suffering to hear this welcome of the
Blessed.”

Now the small chorister, who was standing
by Serapion at the helm, touched the father’s
sleeve, and asked in a low voice: “ Have I
leave to sing in answer?”

“Sing, little son,” Serapion replied.

Then, ringing the blessed bell of the Sea-

farers, the child intoned the evening hymn:

Te lucis ante terminum —

Before the waning of the light.

The instant his fresh young voice was
heard singing that holy hymn, the flower-
garlands about the boat broke into ghastly

flames, and wreathed it with a dreadful burn-
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