CROSSING THE SANDS.
21
the next broom. But I trudged on in a straight line for go
steps when I found another broom. Two must have been
washed away. I was very pleased, and went gaily on again, but
it got hopelessly dark, and after going about 40 steps and not
finding the next broom, I turned back as I thought to find the
last, but I missed it. The mist was then quite bewildering, and
I thought I would make straight for land whatever happened.
On I went for ever so far, quite lost, when suddenly to my
joy I came upon a broom. I did and do feel thankful. Just then
a black darkness came over, and I could see nothing, but I stuck
to my broom, if only I could find the next. For half an hour
or so, it alternated between mist and blackness. In the mist
I could only venture a few yards in various directions, hoping to
see the next broom, but never unfortunately could. I knew
the tide was rising, and unless it cleared a bit my only hope was
in feeling carefully which way the waves came, and so perhaps
finding the shore. Once I ventured a little too far and returning
lost my dear broom. I think then for the first time my spirits
fell. Then came another heavy dark cloud of rain. I was afraid
to move, having lost my direction as I feared, and as it turned
out. The time seemed terribly long to me, for it was too windy
to light a match, and I could not tell how time went.
What puzzled me most was the wind. It had been in my
face ; now if I was right in my conjecture of the sea and land, it
was at my back. I waited anxiously till at last, surely, I thought
that I saw a glimmer of light. It disappeared instantly but I
kept my eyes strained in the dark. Yes ! it came again. A
mere spark and out again, but I knew it was a revolving light.
I was thankful.
Soon it got clearer. But which one was it ?
The Swin should be exactly in front, if I were on the
broom way, the Mouse (green) on my right, the Nore behind.
It was just about where I expected the Swin, but I dared not
take it for granted. It really was the Nore. By this time I
had found my broom again, and would not leave it. The
light was very dim, and was periodically hidden by the mist and
the cloud. I waited long and patiently, gazing into the darkness
for the Mouse light on the right. After a long time, another
small light appeared to the left of my revolving light. This
puzzled me completely. It must be a ship, and it could