THE LAST CHANCE. 47 



it struggles vainly to escape from liis fond but 

 firm embrace. It was indeed " the last chance," 

 and I could not help feeling that the successful 

 termination of the adventure was due to the assis- 

 tance of my friend, or, to say the least, that " the 

 honours were divided ; " and I never more sincerely 

 acknowledged the truth of the old familiar adage, 



"A friend in need is a friend indeed." 



