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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Thorogood Family, by R.M. Ballantyne
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Thorogood Family
+
+Author: R.M. Ballantyne
+
+Illustrator: Henry Austin
+
+Release Date: November 6, 2007 [EBook #23381]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THOROGOOD FAMILY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
+
+
+
+
+The Thorogood Family, by R.M. Ballantyne.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+Although the book is written with Ballantyne's usual great skill in
+descriptive passages, the actual plan of the book is most unusual for
+him.  In Chapter 1 he describes a young family, then describes the
+exploits of some of the boys of the family, now grown-up, in Chapters 2,
+3, 4 and 5. But in Chapter 5 there is introduced a story about a
+schoolboy who is nothing to do with the Thorogoods, though it is quite a
+good story, parts of it reminding one of "Martin Rattler," and his days
+at school.  In Chapter 6 we are back to one of the Thorogood boys, who
+is a missionary in London, working among the poor.  The final chapter
+also contains a long story about a third party, and ends with most of
+the family emigrating to the Rockies in North America.  Here again the
+enwrapped short story is a good read.
+
+We must remember that in Ballantyne's usual style there are often two
+stories in some way running parallel with each other.  In this case
+there are no less than six, and two of those enwrap a further story.  It
+is really quite unusual for Ballantyne to write in such a convoluted
+manner.
+
+But be not afraid.  The stories are very short.  Ballantyne normally
+writes with each of his chapters nearly of the same length, but here we
+have 7, 6, 7, 8, 23, 9, 36 pages in the seven chapters, and it consists
+of at least ten exciting episodes.  It is worth a read.
+
+________________________________________________________________________
+
+THE THOROGOOD FAMILY, R.M. BALLANTYNE.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ONE.
+
+This family was not only Thorogood but thorough-going.  The father was a
+blacksmith, with five sons and one daughter, and he used to hammer truth
+into his children's heads with as much vigour as he was wont to hammer
+the tough iron on his anvil; but he did it kindly.  He was not a
+growly-wowly, cross-grained man, like some fathers we know of--not he.
+His broad, hairy face was like a sun, and his eyes darted sunbeams
+wherever they turned.  The faces of his five sons were just like his
+own, except in regard to roughness and hair.  Tom, and Dick, and Harry,
+and Bob, and Jim, were their names.  Jim was the baby.  Their ages were
+equally separated.  If you began with Jim, who was three, you had only
+to say--four, five, six, seven--Tom being seven.
+
+These five boys were broad, and sturdy, like their father.  Like him,
+also, they were fond of noise and hammering.  They hammered the
+furniture of their father's cottage, until all of it that was weak was
+smashed, and all that was strong became dreadfully dinted.  They also
+hammered each other's noses with their little fat fists, at times, but
+they soon grew too old and wise for that; they soon, also, left off
+hammering the heads of their sister's dolls, which was a favourite
+amusement in their earlier days.
+
+The mention of dolls brings us to the sister.  She was like her mother--
+little, soft, fair, and sweet-voiced; just as unlike her brothers in
+appearance as possible--except that she had their bright blue, blazing
+eyes.  Her age was eight years.
+
+It was, truly, a sight to behold this family sit down to supper of an
+evening.  The blacksmith would come in and seize little Jim in his
+brawny arms, and toss him up to the very beams of the ceiling, after
+which he would take little Molly on his knee, and fondle her, while "Old
+Moll," as he sometimes called his wife, spread the cloth and loaded the
+table with good things.
+
+A cat, a kitten, and a terrier, lived together in that smith's cottage
+on friendly terms.  They romped with each other, and with the five boys,
+so that the noise used sometimes to be tremendous; but it was not an
+unpleasant noise, because there were no sounds of discontent or
+quarrelling in it.  You see, the blacksmith and his wife trained that
+family well.  It is wonderful what an amount of noise one can stand when
+it is good-humoured noise.
+
+Well, this blacksmith had a favourite maxim, which he was fond of
+impressing on his children.  It was this--"Whatever your hand finds to
+do, do it with all your might, doing it as if to the Lord, and not to
+men."  We need hardly say that he found something like this maxim in the
+Bible--a grand channel through which wisdom flows to man.
+
+Of course he had some trouble in teaching his little ones, just as other
+fathers have.  One evening, when speaking about this favourite maxim, he
+was interrupted by a most awful yell under the table.
+
+"Why, what ever is the matter with the cat?" said the blacksmith in
+surprise.
+
+"It's on'y me, fadder," said little Jim; "I found hims tail, and I
+pulled it _wid all my might_!"
+
+"Ah, Jim!" said Mrs Thorogood, laughing, as she placed a huge plate of
+crumpets on the table, "it's only when a thing is _right_ we are to do
+it with our _might_.  Pulling the cat's tail is wrong.
+
+  "`When a thing's wrong,
+  Let it alone.
+  When a thing's right,
+  Do it with might.'
+
+"Come now, supper's ready."
+
+"Capital poetry, Old Moll," shouted the blacksmith, as he drew in his
+chair, "but not quite so good as the supper.  Now, then--silence."
+
+A blessing was asked with clasped hands and shut eyes.  Then there was a
+sudden opening of the eyes and a tendency in little hands to grasp at
+the crumpets, buttered-toast, bacon, and beans, but good training told.
+Self-restraint was obvious in every trembling fist and glancing eye.
+Only curly-haired little Jim found the smell too much for him.  He was
+about to risk reputation and everything, when a glance from his father
+quelled the rebellious spirit.
+
+"Come, Jim, fair-play.  Let it go right round, like the sun,--beginning
+wi' mother."
+
+Then silence reigned for a time--a profound silence--while upwards of
+two hundred teeth went to work.  Ere long most of the children were
+buttered to the eyes, and their rosy cheeks glistened like ripe apples.
+Soon the blacksmith drew a long breath and paused.  Looking round with a
+benign smile he asked little Jim how he got along.
+
+"Fust rate," said Jim.
+
+"How I wish," said Dick, with a sad look at the toast, "that we might go
+on eatin' for ever."
+
+"Is it right, daddy," asked Tom, during a pause, "to _eat_ with all our
+might?"
+
+"Certainly, my boy, till you've had enough.  After that it's wrong to
+eat at all.  `Enough's as good as a feast,' you know.  Now, Old Moll,
+one more cup to wash it all down, and then we'll go in for a
+confabulation round the fire."
+
+Now, nothing rejoiced the hearts of that family so much as a
+confabulation round the fire on a winter night, or under the great elm
+in front of the forge on the village green in summer.
+
+The table was cleared as if by magic, for every member of the family
+helped.  Soon, little Jim was sleeping as sound as a top in his crib,
+and Mrs Thorogood, with her knitting, joined the others at the fire, by
+the light of which the blacksmith made a little boat for Harry with a
+gully knife and a piece of stick.
+
+"It's a stormy night," said Mrs Thorogood, as a violent gust of wind
+came down the chimney and rattled the window-frames.
+
+"Ah, it was on just such a night that, my dear old father and mother
+were burnt out of house and home," said the blacksmith; "well do I mind
+about it, for I was over ten years old at the time.  We never found out
+what it was that set the house alight, but when it had once caught, it
+fetched way like lightning--the wind was so high.  The first thing that
+woke me was sneezin' wi' the smoke.  Then, I'd just opened my eyes when
+I saw the head of a ladder come crash through the window.  It was the
+fire-escape.  Father tried to save mother, but he was lame, and fell
+down half-choked.  I tried to help him, but I was too young.  Then a
+strapping fireman stepped in at the window, as cool as a cucumber,
+pitched us all into the escape, one after another; and so, through God's
+mercy, we were saved.  I've loved the firemen ever since.  They are the
+boys to show you how to do things well; to do things with might and
+main, and no fuss, and to submit to discipline without a word."
+
+"Oh, father!" cried Harry with blazing eyes, "I should dearly like to be
+a fireman, an' go fightin' the flames."
+
+"And Dick?" asked Mrs Thorogood, "wouldn't _you_ like to be one, too?"
+
+"No, mother.  It's very grand, but I don't like smoke.  I'd rather be a
+lifeboat-man, to fight wi' the storm, and save people from the roarin'
+waves."
+
+Tom glanced at one of his toy ships, and said he'd like to fight the
+battles of his country on the sea.  Bob looked affectionately at a
+wooden sword and gun which stood in a corner, and thought he'd prefer to
+fight _his_ battles on the land.
+
+"You're all for fighting, I see," chimed in soft-eyed Molly; "I wonder
+what little Jim would like to be, if he was awake."
+
+"I know what battles _I_ would like to see him fighting," said Mrs
+Thorogood.
+
+"Why," exclaimed the blacksmith in surprise, "I thought you hated
+fighting of all kinds?"
+
+"No, not all kinds.  I should like to see little Jim fighting the battle
+of the Prince of Peace."
+
+Of course there was a clamorous questioning as to what that meant, but
+we must not devote space to this subject.  Neither can we afford to
+follow the history of each member of this family step by step.  We will
+grow them up at once, and tell you what came of all their enthusiastic
+desires and lofty aspirations in succeeding chapters.
+
+Only thus much will we say in conclusion; when the blacksmith said it
+was time to be off to bed that night, the children rose _at once_; gave
+and received a hearty kiss all round, and went off to "turn in," as
+sailors express it, "with a will."  They had learned _obedience_--the
+most difficult lesson that man has got to learn--the lesson which few
+learn thoroughly, and which our Lord sets us as a test of our loyalty to
+Himself, when He says says,--"If ye love Me, keep My commandments."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWO.
+
+It was what sailors call a "dirty night."  When you looked out upon the
+sea, it seemed as if there were nothing there but horrible darkness.  If
+you went down to the beach, however,--close under the fishing village of
+Sunland--you found that there was just enough of light to make the
+darkness visible.
+
+Tremendous waves came rolling madly into the bay, their white crests
+gleaming against the black sky until they came down like thunder on the
+sand.  The wind roared and whistled over the bay, cutting off the
+foam-tops of the billows, and hurling them against the neighbouring
+cliffs.  Mingled rain and hail filled the shrieking blast, and horrid
+uproar seemed to revel everywhere.
+
+"God have mercy on those at sea," was uttered by many a lip that night.
+It was a most suitable prayer!  Some there were, doubtless, who uttered
+it with a little shudder as they turned in their beds, but said and did
+nothing more.  Others there were, weak in body perhaps, but strong in
+spirit, who reflected, with some degree of comfort, that they had given
+of their gold to help those whose business it is to help the perishing.
+And there were others who had little gold to give, but who gladly gave
+their strong, stalwart bodies, and risked their precious lives to save
+the perishing.
+
+Many of these last were on the beach at Sunland that night, with oilskin
+coats and caps, cowering in the lee of boats and rocks, or leaning
+against the furious gale as they tried to gaze out to sea through the
+blinding sleet and spray.
+
+Among these fishermen were two young men--tall and strong--who seemed to
+despise shelter, and stood at the very edge of the raging sea.  One was
+a black-bearded man of the Coastguard.  The other, as his dress
+betokened, was a Jack-tar of the Royal Navy.
+
+"There, she shows a light," said the naval youth, as a flame, like that
+of a blazing tar-barrel, shot suddenly up against the dark sky and
+showed the rigging of a wreck, far out in the bay where the war of wind
+and waves was fiercest.
+
+Scarcely had this light appeared when the Coastguardsman laid his hand
+on the young sailor's shoulder and pointed towards the cliffs far away
+to the left of the bay.  There a rocket had cut the heavens with a line
+of vivid fire.  While they gazed, another sprang up into the sky.
+
+"A vessel on the rocks!" said the Coastguardsman, (he had to shout in
+the other's ear, so loud was the gale); "my duty lies there.  Will you
+go with me, or stay to see the lifeboat start?"
+
+"I'll stick by the lifeboat," shouted the man-of-war's man, and they
+parted.
+
+Ah! it was grand to see that lifeboat go into action.  She could be
+easily seen, though the night was so dark, for she was painted pure
+white and bright blue, with a scarlet strip round her--a "thing of
+light," but by no means a light thing!  She was so large, and stout, and
+heavy, that she required a strong carriage on four wheels to transport
+her from her boat-house to the edge of the sea, which foamed, and
+hissed, and leaped up at her bow as if to taste the morsel which it
+hoped soon to swallow.
+
+While the boat was yet on its carriage, her stout coxswain, or captain,
+clambered in.
+
+"Now then, my jolly volunteers," he shouted, "jump up, and on wi' your
+life-belts."
+
+At that word our handsome young sailor laid his hands on the edge of the
+boat and vaulted into her as if he had been made of india-rubber.  Ten
+more men followed his example, and quickly put on their belts.
+
+"Nobody's allowed to go off without a life-belt," said the coxswain to
+the young sailor, "besides, it's against rules to let you go."
+
+"How's that?" asked the youth; "you called for volunteers."
+
+"Yes, but our volunteer-crew is already made up, so you must jump out.
+Thank you all the same, my fine fellow."
+
+The man-of-war's man was too well disciplined to think of resistance,
+even for a moment.  With a look of disappointment and an active bound,
+he leaped out upon the sand.
+
+At that moment one of the men raised an oar, which was blown round by a
+sudden blast, and its end struck another of the crew on the temple,
+rendering him almost insensible.  He had to be put out at once, and
+another volunteer was called for.  Like a flash of light, our youthful
+seaman again vaulted into the boat.  His services were now accepted, and
+a cork life-belt was given to him, which he quickly put on.
+
+Meanwhile crowds of men, and even some women and boys, stood ready at
+the launching-ropes.  The word was given.  There was a strong and a long
+pull altogether, and the lifeboat sprang into the sea as if it had been
+alive, with her crew seated and the oars out.  A huge wave caught her
+bow and raised her up almost perpendicular.  She seemed as if about to
+dance a reel upon her rudder.  Our man-of-war's man had rode in many a
+wild sea, but never before had he seen the like of that.  Nevertheless,
+he clung to his seat like a limpet, and pulled at his oar with all his
+might.  The others were more accustomed to that special work.  Just as
+she seemed about to topple over, the boat dropped forward and plunged
+out to sea.  The next wave caught her in the same way, but with less
+power.  Another stroke of the short, stout oars, and they had got fairly
+off into deep water.
+
+Then did the heart of the young sailor beat wildly, for, besides
+rejoicing in that fierce struggle with the storm, he knew that his
+mission was one of mercy as well as danger.  But how much more wildly
+did his heart beat when he reached the wreck, and, by the light of the
+blazing tar-barrel, beheld about twenty human beings--some of them women
+and children--clinging to the wreck, which was buried in foaming water
+by every sea.
+
+One by one they were got into the lifeboat with great difficulty.  Then
+the boat was pushed off and rowed towards the land.  What a deep-toned
+shout there was on shore when her light form was dimly seen coming in on
+the crest of a great billow!  And what a mighty cheer rang out when she
+drew closer, and the man at the bow-oar stood up and cried, "Thank God,
+_all_ saved!"
+
+Just then a monster wave fell on the stern of the boat and filled it.
+One little girl was swept overboard and went away with the backward rush
+of water, as the boat was hauled out of danger.  Every one saw this, and
+a terrible cry went up, but only one man moved.  Our young sailor sprang
+after the child.  He knew that it was almost certain death to enter that
+surf without a rope, but a spirit of self-sacrifice--founded on the
+great example of Jesus--urged him on.  He had no time to think--only to
+act.  He caught the child and was dragged along with her into the wild
+sea.  At that moment another Coastguardsman, who chanced to be a friend
+of the man-of-war's man, came upon the scene.  Seeing what had occurred,
+he seized the end of a rope which some men had just brought down, tied
+it round his waist, dashed into the sea, caught the sailor and the girl
+in the wide grasp of his strong arms--and then all three were hauled to
+the land in safety.
+
+The poor child was nearly insensible, and had to be carried to a
+neighbouring cottage; and the young sailor staggered so from exhaustion
+that his friend and another man were obliged to support him as he went.
+
+"Who is he?" inquired one of the fisherwomen, as she followed behind.
+
+The Coastguardsman looked over his shoulder with a proud glance in his
+sparkling eye, and said aloud, "His name is Richard Thorogood."
+
+A statement which was received with three loud and ringing cheers.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THREE.
+
+But what of the wreck under the Sunland cliffs, which had sent up
+rocket-signals of distress on that same dismal night?
+
+When our Coastguardsman with the black beard reached the scene, he
+found, as he had expected, that his comrades of the Coastguard had not
+been idle.  They had brought down the famous rocket apparatus, with
+which so many lives are saved every year on our stormy shores.
+
+The wreck was in a very different position from that in the bay.
+Instead of being far away from shore, among rolling billows that raged
+over the flat sands, this vessel, a brig, lay hard and fast among the
+rocks, not a hundred yards from the foot of the cliffs.  Against these
+frowning cliffs the wild waves thundered as if they wished to beat them
+down.  Failing in that, they fell back and seemed to go mad with
+disappointment; leaping, hissing, and whirling among the rocks on which
+the brig had been cast.  The brig was so near, that the men on shore
+could see the forms of her crew as they clung to the rigging,
+frantically waving their arms and sending up shrieks of despair and loud
+cries for help.  Truly there was urgent need for help, for the sea broke
+over the vessel so furiously that it was evident she must soon go to
+pieces.
+
+There was only one little spot of partial shelter at the foot of the
+cliffs where man could stand on that fearful night.  Here the men of the
+Coastguard had set up the rocket apparatus.  The rocket was in position,
+and about to be fired, when our black-bearded Coastguardsman arrived.
+The light was applied.  Suddenly the group of spray-washed men, and a
+few pale-faced spectators who had ventured to descend, and part of the
+overhanging cliffs, burst into intense light as the great rocket went
+out to sea with a wild roar.  It was like a horrid fiery serpent, and
+carried a line tied to its tail!  It plunged into the waves, and all was
+dark again, but there was no cheer from the wreck.  The aim had not been
+good, and the rocket-line had missed its mark.
+
+"Fetch another! look alive!" shouted our black-bearded friend, as he
+seized, set up, and aimed a second rocket.
+
+Again the light burst forth, and the rocket sprang out in the teeth of
+the gale.  It fell beyond the brig, and the line caught in the rigging!
+The wrecked crew seemed to understand what was required of them, for
+they immediately began to haul on the rocket-line.  To the shore-end of
+it was fastened, by the men on the rocks, a block or pulley with a
+double or endless line, called a "whip," through it.  When the men in
+the brig had hauled this block on board they fastened it to the stump of
+the main mast.  Then the rescuers on shore tied a thick cable or hawser
+to their double line and ran it out to the wreck, but when this thick
+rope reached the crew, they did not seem to know what to do with it, for
+it was not hauled upon, but continued to hang loose.
+
+"They must be foreigners, and don't know what to do next," said one.
+
+"P'rhaps they've got too cold to work it," said another.  "I wish we had
+a little more light to see what they're about."
+
+"We can't afford to wait," cried our friend Blackbeard, quickly throwing
+off his upper garments; "run me out, lads, on the whip.  There won't be
+much risk if you're quick."
+
+"Risk!" exclaimed one of his comrades; "it will be certain death!"
+
+But the daring Coastguardsman had already seized the thin line and
+plunged into the boiling surf.
+
+His anxious comrades knew that delay would only make death more certain,
+so they hauled on the endless line as quickly as they could.  Of course,
+being rove through the block before mentioned, the other half of it went
+out to the wreck with the gallant rescuer holding on.  And what an awful
+swim that was!  The line pulled him out, indeed, but it could not buoy
+him up.  Neither could it save him from the jagged rocks that rose out
+of the sea every now and then, like black teeth which were quickly
+re-swallowed by each crashing wave.  It was more like a dive than a
+swim, for the seething foam burst over him continually; but every time
+he rose above the surface to gasp for breath, he sent up a great shout
+to God for strength to enable him to save the perishing!  Those loud
+prayers were drowned by the roaring tempest, but, though unheard by man,
+they did not fail to enter the ears of Him who rules in earth and
+Heaven.
+
+Once the hero was thrown headlong on a rock, and so severely bruised
+that he lost hold of the rope, and when swept off again was left
+foundering in the foam.  His comrades could barely see that something
+had happened to him, and a loud cry of consternation arose when they
+felt the line run light and slack.  But our hero caught it again, and
+the cry was changed to a cheer as they ran him out to the vessel's side.
+
+He was soon on board, and saw at a glance what was the matter.  The crew
+of the brig, being benumbed by long exposure, had not strength to tie
+the heavy cable round the mast.  This the Coastguardsman did for them at
+once, and, as he did so, observed that there were two little girls among
+the crew.  Then he gave a well-understood signal with a ship's lantern
+to the men on shore, who fastened a slung lifebuoy to their whip line,
+hung it by a block to the thick cable, and ran it quickly out to the
+wreck.
+
+There was no time to lose now.  Our hero seized the two little girls and
+put them into the bag which hung from the circular lifebuoy.
+
+"Take care of my darlings," gasped the captain of the brig, who clung to
+the ship's side almost quite exhausted.
+
+"Come, get into the buoy, and go ashore with 'em yourself," cried our
+hero.
+
+"No.  The three of us would be too heavy; send the steward.  He's a
+light man and brave," replied the captain.
+
+The steward was ordered to jump on the buoy and cling to it, so as to
+guard the little ones and prevent their being thrown out.
+
+A signal having been again given with the lantern, the lifebuoy was
+drawn swiftly to land.  It was a terrible passage, for the brig had
+begun to roll on her rocky bed, and at every roll the hawser and the
+lifebuoy dipped into the sea, or were jerked violently out of it, while
+the risk of being let drop on the black rocks that came grinning to the
+surface was very great.
+
+But all went well.  The three were received on the rocks with cheers,
+and conveyed up the cliffs to the Coastguard-house above, where warm
+welcome and shelter awaited them.  The cheers were not heard by those in
+the wreck, but the re-appearance of the lifebuoy proved that the
+children had been saved, and a deep "Thanks be to God!" burst from their
+father's lips.
+
+Still the captain refused to go, when urged.  "No," he said, "let the
+men go first."
+
+So, one by one, the men were safely hauled on shore.
+
+"Now, captain, it's your turn at last," said our hero, approaching him.
+
+He still hesitated.  Then the stout Coastguardsman absolutely lifted him
+into the lifebuoy.
+
+"No time for ceremony," he said, with a smile, giving the signal with
+his lantern, "the brig's going fast.  Tell 'em to look sharp on shore,
+for I'm gettin' used up with all this work."
+
+Away went the captain, and in a few minutes back came the lifebuoy.  Not
+a moment too soon.  Blackbeard sprang in as the mizzen-mast snapped with
+a report like a cannon, and went over the side.  The next wave broke up
+the wreck itself.  Before the lifebuoy had gained the shore it was
+plunged into the sea, out of which it no longer rose, the support of the
+wreck being gone.  The men on shore now hauled on the rope with
+desperate energy, for a few minutes more would be sure to settle the
+question of life or death.  Through the surging breakers and over the
+rugged rocks the lifebuoy was dragged, and a shout of relief arose when
+the gallant Coastguardsman was seen clinging to it.  But he was
+insensible, and it was with difficulty that they loosened the grip of
+his powerful hands.
+
+Then they bore him up the cliffs and laid him in his own bed, and looked
+anxiously upon his deadly white face as they covered him with blankets,
+applied hot bottles to his feet, and chafed his cold, stiff limbs.
+
+At last there came a fluttering sigh, and the eyelids gently opened.
+
+"Where am I?" he asked faintly.
+
+A young man having the appearance of a clergyman, laid his hand gently
+on his shoulder.
+
+"All right, Tom!" he said; "through the goodness of the Lord you're
+saved, and fourteen souls along with you."
+
+"Thank God!" said Tom Thorogood fervently, and, as he said so, the tide
+of life once more coursed strongly through his veins, and brought back
+the colour to his manly face.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOUR.
+
+The great city was sound asleep.  It was the deadest hour of the night,
+if we may apply that term to three o'clock in the morning, the hour at
+which most people have sought and found their pillows.  Late revellers
+had ceased to shout and sing, early risers had yet a good hour of rest
+before them, if not more.  Of course there were many wakeful sick folk--
+ah! how many in that mighty hive called London!  But these did not
+disturb the profound quiet that had descended on the city: only a few
+weak but steady lights in windows here and there told of their
+existence.
+
+Among the sleepless, on that calm dark night, there was one man to whom
+we draw attention.  His bronzed cheeks and tall muscular frame told that
+he was not one of the wakeful sick, neither was he a sick-nurse, to
+judge from things around him.  He sat with his elbows on his knees and
+his hands clasped, gazing into the fire and meditating--perhaps building
+castles in the flames.  His eyebrows were very bushy and his looks
+stern, but there was a play of gentle, kindly feeling round his mouth.
+He was one of a gallant band of picked men whose duty it is to do battle
+with the flames, a member of the London Fire-brigade.  Two other men
+like himself lay on two little iron beds sound asleep with their clothes
+on.  There was this difference between them, however, that the wakeful
+man wore brass epaulettes on his shoulders.  Brass helmets and axes hung
+round the room.  A row of boots hung in a rack, a little telegraph
+instrument stood on a table near a map of London, and a small but
+sociable clock ticked on the wall.
+
+That clock had quite a lively, cheerful tick.  It seemed to talk to the
+fireman with the bushy brows until he smiled and looked at it.
+
+"Tic--tic--tic!" said the man, "how low and gentle your voice seems
+to-night.  Everything is so still and quiet, that you appear to be only
+whispering the flight of time."
+
+"Tic--tic--tic," replied the clock.
+
+But the fireman heard no more, for just then a faint, far-distant sound
+broke upon his ear.  It drew near, like a rushing wind.  Then like the
+noise of hurrying feet.  The man rose and nudged one of the sleepers,
+who sat up and listened, after which he got up quickly, reached down his
+helmet, and awoke his companion, while the first fireman went to the
+station door.  Some one ran against it with fearful violence as he laid
+his hand on the lock, and the alarm-bell rang a tremendous peal as he
+threw it open.
+
+"Fire!" yelled a man who seemed all eyes and hair.
+
+"Just so; where is it?" replied the fireman, calmly glancing at the
+clock.
+
+"Fire!" again yelled the man of eyes and hair, who was for the moment
+mad with excitement.
+
+"You've said that twice; where _is_ it?" said the fireman, seizing the
+man by his arm, while the two men, who had been asleep, slipped out like
+fleet but quiet ghosts.  One called up the sleeping firemen, the other
+got out two horses which stood ready harnessed in their stalls.
+
+The fireman's grasp sobered the madman.  A street was named.  The
+outbreak of the fire was instantly telegraphed to head-quarters, and
+thence to other stations concerned.  Round came the horses; in flowed
+the roused firemen, buttoning their garments as they ran each to his own
+peg for helmet and axe.  At the same time two or three hauled out the
+steam fire-engine and yoked the horses.  Three minutes from the first
+shout of fire had barely elapsed when the whip cracked, eight or ten
+helmeted men sprang to their seats, the steeds bounded away and tore
+along the no longer quiet streets, leaving a trail of sparks behind
+them.
+
+Haste! haste! was the one idea.  One minute saved may be a matter of
+life or death in cases of fire.
+
+Constant training, stern drill, made every man act like a calm, cool,
+collected thunderbolt.  No fuss, but tremendous energy.  No noise, but
+now and then a deep bass roar when any vehicle chanced to get in the
+way, and a quiet smile when the danger was passed.
+
+Thus they rushed along, like a fierce fiery monster, until they reached
+a square in the great city which was bright as with the sun at noon-day.
+A mansion was blazing from cellars to attics!
+
+Our engine was soon at work.  Other engines, whose stations lay nearer
+to the scene of action, were already pumping volumes of water into the
+flames.  A strong force of police kept back the vast crowd, so as to let
+the firemen do their work undisturbed.  It was deadly work they had to
+do!  Not only were flames spouting from every window, but masses of
+brickwork and blazing beams were falling in various places, rendering
+the service full of danger.  A London crowd is usually well-behaved, but
+there are sometimes a few forward geese in it who think they can do
+things better than other people.  One such, a huge man with a foreign
+accent, became excited, shouted, "Oh! vy don't you put 'im hout?" broke
+through the crowd, and rushed among the firemen.
+
+Our friend with the brass epaulettes and bushy eyebrows chanced to pass
+at the moment.
+
+"Vy you not put more vatter on 'im?" shouted the foreigner.
+
+The stern countenance of the fireman relaxed, and a humorous smile lit
+up his countenance for one instant; but he took no other notice of the
+foreigner, who was quickly collared by two policemen as strong as
+himself, and thrust back into the crowd, where he was received with
+laughter, and presented with much good advice.  One little boy in
+particular recommended him seriously to go home and ask his mamma to put
+him to bed--a remark which was received with great delight by the
+bystanders.
+
+But there was not much laughter; for the fire was very terrible, and
+there was a report that some of the inmates had not been rescued by the
+fire-escape men.
+
+Meanwhile, our fireman with the epaulettes, who was foreman of that
+district, went about like a general in action, watching the flames
+sternly,--giving a quiet order to one, indicating a point of vantage to
+another, giving a helping hand here and there with the hose, answering a
+quick question promptly, and doing his utmost to dispose his force in
+such a way as to quell the raging fire.  All this time he moved about
+among smoke and flames and falling materials as if he bore a charmed
+life--which, indeed, he did: for, as he afterwards said himself, the
+hand of God shielded him, and nothing on earth could kill him till his
+work on earth was done; and nothing on earth could save him when his
+time to die should come.  This sentiment was, partly at least, the
+secret of the fireman's cool courage in the midst of danger.
+
+But the enemy was very strong that night, and the brigade could make no
+impression whatever on the burning house, the inside of which glowed
+like a smelting furnace.
+
+"Try the drawing-room window, Jim, wi' the fire-escape," said our
+foreman to one of his men.
+
+He helped Jim to push the huge ladder on wheels to the window mentioned,
+and placed it in position.  While Jim ran for a nozzle and hose, there
+was a great cry from the crowd.  A woman had got out on the ledge of an
+attic window, and knelt there shrieking and waving her arms, while the
+smoke curled round her, and the flames leapt up at her.  She was high
+above the head of the escape; but there were fly-ladders which could be
+raised above that.  These were instantly hoisted, and our foreman sprang
+up to the rescue.
+
+The danger of the attempt lay in this--that, though the lower and upper
+parts of the escape were comparatively free from smoke, the middle was
+shrouded with a dense mass, through which now and then a lurid red flame
+burst.  But our hero thought only of the woman.  In a second or two he
+had disappeared in the smoke.
+
+Two of the firemen stood below holding a nozzle of the hose and
+directing it on a particular spot.  They did not dare to move from their
+post, but they could see by a glance upwards what was going on.
+
+"Fred," said one to the other in a low voice, "_He'll_ save her, or
+there'll be a man less in the brigade to-night.  He never does anything
+by halves.  Whatever he undertakes he does _well_.  Depend on't, that
+Harry Thorogood will save that woman if she can be saved at all."
+
+As he spoke Harry was seen emerging above the smoke, but when he reached
+the top of the highest ladder he was fully six feet below the spot where
+the woman knelt.
+
+"Come! girl, come!" he shouted, and held out his arms.
+
+The terrified creature hesitated.  She was afraid.  She doubted the
+strength of the escape--the power of the man.
+
+"Come! come!" again he shouted.
+
+She obeyed, but came against the fireman with such force that the round
+of the ladder on which he stood gave way, and both were seen to go
+crashing downwards, while something like a mighty groan or cry rose from
+the multitude below.  It was changed, however, into a wild cheer when
+Harry was seen to have caught the head of the escape, and arrested his
+fall, with one powerful hand, while, with the other, he still grasped
+the woman.
+
+"God favours them," said a voice in the crowd, as a gust of wind for a
+few seconds drove smoke and flames aside.
+
+Our bold fireman seized the opportunity, got the woman into the shoot,
+or canvas bag under the lowest ladder, and slid with her in safety to
+the ground.
+
+The pen may describe, but it cannot convey a just idea of the thrilling
+cheers that greeted the rescued woman as she was received at the bottom
+of the escape, or the shouts of applause and congratulation that greeted
+Harry Thorogood as he emerged from the same, burnt, bleeding, scraped,
+scarred, and blackened, but not seriously injured, and with a pleasant
+smile upon his dirty face.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIVE.
+
+We turn now to a battlefield, but we won't affect to believe that the
+reader does not know who is one of the chief heroes of that field.
+
+Robert Thorogood is his name.  Bob does not look very heroic, however,
+when we introduce him, for he is sound asleep with his mouth open, his
+legs sprawling, his eyes tight shut, his bed the ground, his pillow the
+root of a tree, and his curtains the branches thereof.  The only warlike
+point about Bob is the trumpet-sound that issues from his upturned nose.
+
+Bob's sentiments about soldiering are queer.  His comrades laugh at him
+a good deal about them, but they never scoff, for Bob is strong and full
+of fire; besides he is a pattern of promptitude and obedience, so they
+respect him.  Moreover, he is a kindly and jovial man, therefore they
+are fond of him.
+
+The battlefield of which we write was in the East.  The fight had been
+between the British and Russians.  The British had been victorious, and
+slept on the field.
+
+When the bugles sounded the next morning they stopped the nasal trumpets
+everywhere, and Corporal Robert Thorogood was the first man of all the
+host to "fall in"--which he did by himself.  But he was not long alone;
+others quickly joined him.
+
+The companies were soon numbered, proved, formed into column, and
+marched off.  Then there was a short halt for breakfast.
+
+"Why, you're not half a soldier, Bob," said a hearty young comrade,
+while hastily eating his rations.  "I saw you spare a Russian officer
+yesterday after he had cut off the little finger of your left hand."
+
+"What good would it have done to have killed him?" asked Bob, with a
+smile, as he looked at the bloody stump, which had just been dressed by
+the surgeon; "the poor fellow's leg was broken by a bullet the moment
+after he had done it, so he could do us no more harm in this campaign.
+Then, his death would not make my little finger grow on again.  Besides,
+I don't like killing men."
+
+"Why did you join the army, then, if you did not do so for the honour
+and glory of fighting, (which means killing), our enemies?"
+
+"Ah, you may ask that indeed!  I mistook my profession, I suppose.
+However, I'll do my duty while I remain in the service."
+
+As he spoke, firing was heard in the distance, and the men were ordered
+to fall in hastily before breakfast had been quite finished.
+
+The firing increased, and soon the advance guard was seen falling back
+in good order over the brow of a small hill or slope.  Rifle balls began
+to fly overhead, and a few to drop unpleasantly near the troops.
+Suddenly our Corporal was startled by an appalling cry behind him.  He
+turned quickly, and saw the young soldier with whom he had been so
+recently conversing lying on his back stone dead, with the blood oozing
+from a hole between his eyes.
+
+There was no time to think, however.  His battalion was ordered to the
+front to defend a narrow rocky pass which the enemy were attempting to
+carry by storm.  Twice already they had made the assault, and had almost
+succeeded on the second attempt.  A third assault was being made when
+Thorogood's company came up.  They rushed forward just as the Russians
+crowned the heights and were driving the British back.  The
+reinforcements checked them, but did not turn the scale at first.
+
+There was one gigantic Russian who stood towering above his fellows with
+clubbed rifle, furiously knocking down all who came within his reach,
+like Horatius or one of the other heroes of ancient Rome.  At him
+Corporal Thorogood sprang, grasping his rifle by the muzzle as he ran,
+and whirling it on high.  The Russian saw him coming.  The two rifles
+met with a crash, and flew into splinters.  Bob dropped his weapon,
+grasped his adversary by the throat, thrust him back, and bore him
+headlong to the ground.  This incident turned the scale.  A cheer
+followed.  The British swept forward with such irresistible fury that
+the men in front were thrust upon the foe in a mass, Bob and his enemy
+being turned heels over head in the rush.  A well-sustained fire
+scattered the foe like chaff, and those who had been thrown down were
+taken prisoners.  Among them was the gigantic Russian, with the Corporal
+still holding his collar tight in his iron grasp.
+
+"Well done, my man!" said the Colonel of the regiment as he rode past
+Bob.
+
+The Colonel was a man of few words.  He said no more on that occasion,
+but every one knew that he would not forget the man who had so bravely
+turned the tide of battle that day.
+
+Bob, however, did not escape altogether unhurt.  He had been rather
+severely wounded, and afterwards had to spend a considerable time in
+hospital.  As his wound did not prevent him from moving about, he soon
+became a valuable assistant to the surgeons and nurses in the hospital.
+
+"Ah!" said he one night, when smoothing the pillow and attending to the
+wants of a severely wounded soldier, "this comes more natural to me.  It
+suits me better than fighting."
+
+"I wish you were one of the regular nurses, Corporal," said one of the
+surgeons heartily; "you do everything so thoroughly, and with such a
+will."
+
+But Bob was not allowed to remain long at his peaceful work.  Being a
+healthy and temperate man he soon recovered, and ere long found himself
+in the trenches before Sebastopol.
+
+It was winter.  One bleak, raw morning, just before daybreak, Bob
+plodded down with his party through slush and mud to take his turn of
+fighting before the great fortress.  It was bitterly cold and dark.
+Some of the men were grumbling terribly.
+
+"Ah, then, won't you shut your 'tatie traps?" said a big Irishman, who
+had won the Victoria Cross the week before for conspicuous gallantry.
+
+"We engaged for this sort o' work, lads, when we 'listed," remarked Bob,
+"an' are paid for it; so let's stick to our bargain wi' the Queen, an'
+do our duty well."
+
+"Troth, that's well said," remarked the Irishman.  "`What's worth doin'
+at all is worth doin' well,' as my ould grandmother used to say when she
+whacked me."
+
+There was a faint laugh at this, and the grumbling ceased.
+
+"Come, Corporal Free," said Bob, "as we've got to sit here till morning
+you'd better tell us one of your far-famed stories to make the time pass
+pleasantly--at least as pleasantly as circumstances will allow."
+
+"Ay, Jacob Free," cried the Irishman, "that's well said.  Give us that
+one about yoursilf whin ye was a schoolboy.  A good story, you know, is
+niver a bit the worse o' bein' twice towld."
+
+"Hear! hear!" cried Bob, "come along now, Corporal, an' give us the
+schoolboy's story."
+
+Corporal Jacob Free, who was a gentlemanly man, somewhat advanced in
+years, said he would rather tell about some one else than himself, but
+this only made his comrades more determined.
+
+"Well, then," said he, at last, "since you will have it, I'll give you
+what Bob Thorogood has named:--THE SCHOOLBOY'S STORY.
+
+"It was with an intense hatred of lessons and books that I began my
+school-days.  Not an unusual experience, I believe, with boys.  My
+parents were poor--though I have every reason to conclude that they were
+scrupulously honest; hence I began my school career rather late in
+life--at about twelve years of age.  But previously to that, my
+much-loved, much-abused, and long-suffering mother had taught me to read
+and write, so that my brain was not altogether unfurnished when I went
+to school.
+
+"It was a village school, in a remote district of Scotland; the master
+was a tall, thin, cadaverous and kindly man, of considerable
+attainments, and with a strong affection for boys.  Had it been
+otherwise he must have died younger--of a broken heart.  I loved that
+man--but I worried him.  A pang of toothache-like remorse shoots through
+me still when I think of the sorrows I caused that good man, but the
+pang is mitigated by the reflection that I lived to make amends to him.
+
+"I liked the school-days well enough at first; chiefly because I devoted
+myself entirely to play and refused work.  Besides, there was something
+amusing in the novelty of the thing, and there was much interest in the
+mischief that could be done in school; also in the deeds of daring and
+violence that could be done out of it, with the able assistance of a
+score or so of boys of almost every age and size.  But the liking
+moderated with experience, especially when the master, having tried
+every method of encouragement and persuasion in vain, adopted the trying
+method of keeping me in during play-hours.  To escape this punishment I
+tried to learn a little.
+
+"I was a bully when I went to school, being big and strong for my age.
+I mention the fact with shame, but it is some satisfaction to be able to
+add that I was not a bully when I left it.  My chief enemy, and,
+afterwards, dearest friend, saved me from that state.  He and I were the
+biggest and strongest boys in the school.  His name was Tom Turner.
+
+"In nearly all respects Turner and I were opposites.  He was clever and
+studious; I stupid and idle.  He was gentle and kind--especially to
+little boys; I rough and disobliging.  He was usually dux, I invariably
+booby.
+
+"`You shouldn't be so hard on little Spinks,' he said to me in a quiet
+way, one day in the playground, `he can't defend himself, you know.'
+
+"`You let me an' little Spinks alone,' I replied angrily, yet with some
+hesitation, for I did not feel quite sure that I could thrash Turner.  I
+expected a sharp rejoinder, but he merely smiled and turned away.
+
+"From that date I set Tom Turner down as a coward, and worried Spinks
+more than ever, just to spite him.
+
+"One day I had been harder than usual on little Spinks, who was a mere
+human spider--all legs and arms, with a roundish body--when Tom called
+me aside and quietly began to lecture me, just as if he had been a
+grown-up man.  I kept down my indignation at first, having made up my
+mind to have a quarrel with him, but the amiable tone of his voice
+subdued me.
+
+"`You should consider, Jacob,' he went on, taking no notice of my
+flushed face and angry frown, `what a poor little squirrel of a thing
+Spinks is, and what a great powerful fellow you are.  It's not fair, you
+know, and he's a kindly, harmless sort of a fellow too.  Besides, if his
+poor mother knew how you treat him it would almost break her heart, for
+she's very delicate, and he is her only child.  You know I visited her
+last year, on my way from London, in passing the village where she
+lives.  You've been there, haven't you?'
+
+"`No,' I replied sulkily.
+
+"`Oh, man, Jacob! you _would_ enjoy a visit to Spinks's home,' returned
+Tom, still taking no notice of my state of mind, `it's such a splendid
+place for trout-fishing, with a burn full of the deep oily pools you are
+so fond of, and lots of sea-trout; and Mrs Spinks is so kind and
+jolly--though so delicate; just like little Spinks himself, but of
+course a good deal larger.'
+
+"From this point Turner went on to describe his visit in such a cheery
+way, that I was forced into a better state of mind, though I did not
+forgive him for lecturing me.
+
+"It chanced that I received a lecture also, the same evening, from our
+master.
+
+"`Jacob, my boy,' he said, laying his large hand gently on my head, `you
+ought to give more attention to your studies, and try to be a better
+boy.  You've got the elements of a smart man in you, but a man must be
+_made_, Jacob.  If a lad grows up without any self-training he is
+generally fit for nothing, and only a trouble to society.  You're fond
+of your mother, I think--are you not?'
+
+"`Yes, sir,' said I, in some surprise at the question.
+
+"`Then you would be sorry to give her pain, I know, and your present
+course of conduct is sure to do that if you don't mend.  You would be
+sorry to see your mother take handfuls of her small income and fling it
+into the sea, would you not?'
+
+"`Of course I would, sir,' said I, still more surprised.
+
+"`Well, you have caused her to do that, for your school fees might as
+well have been flung away for all the good you have done hitherto.  But
+come, I'll say no more just now.  I feel sure you will try to do better.
+You have only got to try, asking God to help you, and you're certain to
+succeed.  I expect to be proud of you yet, Jacob.  There, be off and
+play.'
+
+"I was somewhat touched by this brief reproof, but not humbled.  The
+lecturing tone assumed by Turner still rankled, and a feeling that I
+deserved severer treatment than I received, made me worse.  I resolved
+to harden my heart; and from that date became more mischievous and
+domineering as well as idle--if possible.  I saw that the master was
+grieved, but did not care.
+
+"One day in autumn, some of us were sitting on a rail swinging our legs
+and chatting.  Turner was not there, but little Spinks was.
+
+"`I tell you what,' said I, referring to a remark made by one of the
+boys, `I think it is not only contemptible to try to learn one's
+lessons, but ridiculous.'
+
+"`I'd rather learn them than get whacked,' said one.
+
+"`Well, I would rather get whacked than learn them,' said I; `besides,
+of what earthly use are Latin and Greek, I should like to know?'
+
+"`Fellows can't get along in the learned professions without them,' said
+a boy whom we named Tiddler.  He was a follower of Turner, and usually
+kept pretty near him in the class.
+
+"`Very true,' said I, with a look of mock respect; `but as none of us
+intend to enter the learned professions except _Doctor_ Tiddler and
+_Professor_ Turner, _we_ don't want Latin or Greek; what _we_ want is
+fun.'
+
+"`Hear! hear!' burst from Spinks, who was an impressionable little
+fellow, and easily influenced for good or evil.  His exclamation was so
+genuine and heartfelt that there was a general laugh, and one of the
+boys suggested that, as little Spinks did not mean to go in for any of
+the learned professions, they should elect him `Professor of Fun.'  This
+was unanimously agreed to.
+
+"`But, come,' said I, jumping down, `we must not spend all the evening
+here idling.  What shall we do?'
+
+"`Go an' study Greek,' said the newly-elected Professor of Fun; a
+suggestion which was received with a shout of derisive laughter.
+
+"`I should like to have some of old Maggie's apples for supper,' said I.
+
+"`But who's to crib them?' asked a large-headed boy, whose appearance
+reminded one of a tadpole.
+
+"`Little Spinks, of course,' said I.  `Come, be off--and be sure that
+you take good ones.  I'll follow, and watch to see that no mischief
+happens to you.'
+
+"`It's a shame to rob the poor old woman,' said Tiddler.  `I'll have
+nothing to do with it.  I'm sure that Tom Turner would object if he were
+here.'
+
+"`Oh! you needn't come if you're afraid,' said I, with a sneer; `and if
+there are any other cowardly Turnerites here, they may join you.
+Whoever has got pluck will follow the Frees.  Lead on, Spinks!'
+
+"The greater number of the boys followed me; and from that date the
+school was divided into two sections--Turnerites and Frees.
+
+"We went straight to the back wall of old Maggie's garden, and I helped
+little Spinks over, desiring him to gather a capful and fetch them, and
+then he could return for more if thought desirable.
+
+"My enemy Turner was fond of old Maggie, and frequently went to see her
+and have a chat.  It chanced that he was visiting her on the evening we
+had decided to steal her apples.  While sitting beside her, listening as
+earnestly to a prolonged and graphic account of the old woman's troubles
+as if he had been the minister of the parish, he chanced to look out of
+the window, and saw a boy descending one of the apple-trees.  One of old
+Maggie's troubles was the stealing of her apples by village boys.  She
+had dilated extensively on the subject and aroused her friend's anger.
+With a burst of indignation, he rushed out, and caught little Spinks in
+the act of making off with his second capful of apples.
+
+"`What!  Spinks?  I should not have expected this of you,' said Tom,
+releasing my little victim.
+
+"`I didn't want to do it,' whimpered Spinks; `but I couldn't help it.
+I--'
+
+"`Yes, yes; I understand.  Who was it that set you on?'
+
+"`Please, I don't want to tell.'
+
+"I am convinced that brave little Spinks would have refused to tell to
+the end of the chapter, but I saved him further trouble.  Wondering, as
+I stood behind the wall, what kept him so long, I shouted, `Come along,
+Spinks; look sharp!'
+
+"`Oh!  I know now who did it,' said Turner.  `Go, my boy.  I'll relieve
+you of the apples.'
+
+"So saying, he carried the apples to the owner, and Spinks came and told
+me what had occurred.
+
+"`I'll thrash Tom Turner for this,' I said bitterly, as we returned to
+the school.
+
+"For some time past I had made up my mind to fight him.  On several
+occasions I had proved myself to be possessed of a little more bodily
+strength than Tom; and as regarded endurance and pluck, I felt quite at
+ease on these points.
+
+"Opportunity soon offered.  One day I was up a tree, bird-nesting, in
+one of the lanes near our school.  I had flung down my books at the foot
+of the tree before climbing it.  Just as I laid hands on the nest, in
+which there were four eggs, I heard voices below, and looking down,
+observed Turner, Tiddler, and Tadpole passing.
+
+"`I wonder what careless fellow has flung down his books in that
+fashion,' said Tom.
+
+"`I am the careless fellow!'  I shouted.  At the same time I flung the
+nest straight into his upturned face.  The result was better than I had
+expected; for it hit him fair, and the four eggs, bursting on his
+forehead, poured over his eyes and nose.
+
+"This was received with a shout of laughter by the other boys.  I leaped
+to the ground, strode up to Tom with doubled fists, and asked if he
+would fight me.
+
+"`Not if I can help it,' said Tom, quietly wiping his face.
+
+"Amazed at his forbearance I scarce knew how to act.  At last I said,
+sneeringly, `I never quite believed you to be a coward until to-day.'
+
+"`Whether I'm a coward or not is, perhaps, doubtful; but I came under a
+promise not to quarrel with you if I could avoid it, and you see, Jacob,
+I'm trying to keep my promise, though it's not easy.'
+
+"`Perhaps that will make it less easy,' I said, suddenly fetching him
+what was meant to be a slap in the face; but by a prompt withdrawal of
+his head he let my hand pass.  Instantly I fetched him another slap with
+the left hand, but he caught my wrist, and stopped it.
+
+"`Come, Jacob,' said he, in a rather stern voice, `I will fight you, but
+it must be done in the regular way, on the green.'
+
+"Satisfied with this, I left him, to prepare for the encounter.
+
+"The green was a level piece of turf close to school, beside a stream,
+which, at that place, was formed into a deep pool by means of a
+mill-dam.  We had named the pool the black hole.  It was the scene of
+all our school fights.  In class that day I was unusually quiet, for I
+could not help thinking of the impending fight.  I felt that it would be
+a hard one, though I never for a moment doubted the result.  To keep my
+mind off the subject I applied myself to my lessons, and acquitted
+myself in a way that gratified the master and amazed the boys.
+
+"The fight was to come off after school hours.  The boys assembled with
+high expectations, something unusually `stiff' being anticipated, and
+they were not disappointed.
+
+"I was on the ground with my friends and backers before my adversary
+appeared.
+
+"`Don't make too much of a burst at first,' said one boy; `play with him
+till you see what he's made of.'
+
+"`I'd advise you to go in for sloggin',' said another.
+
+"`Yes, knock the wind out of him at once,' said Tadpole; `he's an
+English fellow, you know, and may bother you with science.'
+
+"As he spoke Tom appeared.  He walked smartly towards me, with his usual
+pleasant smile on his face, and held out his hand.
+
+"`Come, Jacob,' he said, `shake hands, and let us give up this affair.
+Why should we fight?  I am quite willing to admit that you are cock of
+the school, and have no desire to give or receive black eyes.  Besides,
+you injured me more than I injured you, so that you've no occasion to
+bear malice.'
+
+"`You called me a careless fellow,' said I, hardening myself, and
+looking fierce.
+
+"`Well; but I did not know at the time that you were the owner of the
+books.'
+
+"`No matter, you came here to fight, and so did I.  Don't let us waste
+more words.'
+
+"`Truly he suffereth long,' cried one of the boys, with a sneer and a
+laugh, quoting from the Bible, which, it was well known, Tom Turner read
+daily.
+
+"`I am taught,' said Tom, turning gravely to the last speaker, `as far
+as lies in me, to live peaceably with all men.  I have tried to do this,
+and find it impossible to live peaceably with Jacob Free--therefore--'
+
+"He stopped, pulled off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and threw
+himself into the pugilistic attitude.
+
+"We did not trouble ourselves about ceremony in that school.  We had
+neither seconds, bottles, nor sponges.  I went at him at once, and,
+remembering the advice of Tadpole, made a tremendous blow at his face.
+Tom scarcely moved a muscle; he merely put his head a little to one side
+and let the blow pass.  Like lightning I delivered my left.  Tom let it
+pass in the same way.  Surprised and maddened I sent in another blow,
+lunging to my full extent.  He merely drew back from the waist and the
+blow fell short.  At the same moment I received a tap on the bridge of
+my nose which raised a host of stars in my imagination.  In short, I
+found myself at the mercy of a well-trained boxer.  Perceiving this I
+grew desperate, and sprang at my adversary with the intention of
+grappling him, but he stepped lightly to one side and I shot past him.
+This would have been a trifling matter had we not edged rather near to
+the river.  In my blind rage I went head-foremost into the deep pool,
+already mentioned as the black hole.  I could not swim.  I rose with a
+gurgling cry and sank again.  Turner knew that I was drowning.  He was a
+splendid swimmer, and instantly sprang in and caught me, but I seized
+him round the neck and dragged him under, while the boys shouted in
+consternation on the bank.
+
+"Their cries soon brought assistance, but, ere it arrived, we had been
+sucked within the influence of the dam where the stream went under the
+sluice with great violence.  As we struck against the sluice I caught
+it.  Turner held on to me, but was dragged partially under.  Another
+moment and two powerful countrymen had hold of me, and pulled me out.
+They had more difficulty with Turner.  His right leg had got entangled,
+and, in dragging him forcibly out, they broke it.
+
+"This event was the great turning-point in my schoolboy life.  Remorse
+began to tell upon me while they carried him home, but words cannot
+describe the agony of my mind when, a fortnight afterwards, I was
+admitted to his room and saw him lying, a mere wreck of his former self,
+but with the old kindly smile on his face, as he stretched out his thin
+hand.
+
+"`We'll be friends _now_, Jacob, won't we?' he said, with a twinkle in
+his eye.
+
+"I could not speak.  The thought that I had brought him to this in spite
+of his desire to be friendly, overwhelmed me.  I could only seize his
+hand, bury my face in the bed-clothes, and sob.
+
+"`Never mind, Jacob,' he said cheerily; `I shall be all right soon, and
+then we shall have the fight out--a little further from the black hole!'
+
+"But Tom Turner did not get all right soon.  He became worse and worse.
+The wetting and the accident combined to throw him into a fever, which
+left him to all appearance a confirmed invalid and a cripple, so that he
+was obliged to give up all idea of returning to school.
+
+"`I would not mind it so much,' he said to me, some months afterwards,
+with a feeble effort to be cheery, `if it had not stopped my going to
+school.  You see, I had set my heart on being a learned man, and one has
+not much chance of being that without a teacher.  But God's will be
+done.  I don't grumble, Jacob, though I can't help wishing very hard
+that it had been otherwise.'
+
+"I formed a great resolve while he was speaking, but said no word about
+it.  I determined to apply myself, heart and soul, to study, until I
+should not only reach but pass the point where Tom had left off, and
+then I would become his teacher, carrying him on, step by step, as I
+advanced!
+
+"To make a long story short--I carried out my resolution.  It was harder
+work than I had expected, but I persevered.  My love for Turner had
+become intense.  I felt like a high-pressure engine with extra steam on
+and the safety-valve screwed down.  The amazement of the boys at the
+change in me may be imagined.  The satisfaction of the master cannot be
+imagined.  I took no notice of either condition, but held on my way.
+Soon I came up to Tom in learning; then shot past him; then revealed my
+designs and took him in tow.
+
+"Tom was charmed with the plan and inexpressibly grateful.  When little
+Spinks came to hear of it, he begged to be allowed to study along with
+us in the sick-room.  We agreed to this.  Then Dr Tiddler was admitted,
+and afterwards the Tadpole; so that our evening class flourished.
+
+"But the best of it was, that Tom did _not_ become a confirmed invalid.
+A new doctor, who came to live in our village, seemed to understand his
+case better than the old one.  At all events he effected an almost
+perfect cure, so that Tom's limp became scarcely perceptible, and his
+general strength was so much restored, that he and I afterwards had many
+long geological and botanical rambles over the surrounding country, in
+company with little Spinks and the rest of the evening class.
+
+"And this was no mere flash in the pan.  We persevered to the end.  From
+the date of that fight all the boys became Turnerites, our village
+school commenced a prosperous career, and our kind old master had the
+satisfaction of living to see it grow into one of the most noted in the
+district for turning out well-educated boys.
+
+"Finally: Tom Turner became a real `Professor'--a Professor of Theology.
+And Tiddler became a real doctor of medicine.  The Tadpole also came
+off with flying colours.  His body grew up to his head, insomuch that he
+became a fine strapping fellow, and a Professor of Natural History in
+one of our colonial colleges.  I am the only one of the lot who did not
+get on well in life, and that, lads, was owing to drink.  In a drunken
+spree I enlisted, and here I am now, only a corporal; but, thank God,
+I'm also a total abstainer, and hope to remain so to the end of my
+life."
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Most of the men in the trenches had become rather sleepy while listening
+to Jacob Free's story, but they began to freshen up a little when the
+first faint streaks of dawn appeared, for they knew full well that the
+enemy would be stirring ere long.  And they were right.
+
+When day broke the Russians commenced firing, and every now and then a
+shell would pass roaring over the men's heads.  Sometimes one would drop
+in amongst them.  When this happened the men fled right and left, or
+threw themselves flat on their faces until the shell had exploded.
+
+On one of these occasions a shell dropped close to a wounded man, to
+whom Bob was giving a drink at the time.  The men near it sprang away or
+lay down as usual, but the wounded man lay in such a position, with his
+shoulders raised by a little knoll of earth, that he could not escape,
+and had not strength even to move.  With a look of horror he gazed at
+the hissing shell.  Bob Thorogood saw this all at a glance.  In a moment
+he had the live shell in his arms, rushed to the top of the earthworks,
+and hurled it over, only just in time, for it burst as it reached the
+ground, and blew the spot on which Bob stood, with Bob himself, back
+into the trenches, where the big Irishman received him in his arms.
+
+"Not hurt, darlin', are ye?" he asked anxiously.
+
+"No, thank God, only shaken a bit," answered the Corporal.
+
+Next day, however, our hero was not so fortunate, although he gained a
+reward for which many of his comrades panted.
+
+He was on duty at the time in the trenches.  The Russians had been
+pretty quiet that night, but just before daybreak they made a sortie in
+considerable force.  Our Corporal's company had to bear the brunt of the
+fighting, and suffered much.  It was broad daylight before the Russians
+were driven back.  Some of the more fiery men of the company pursued
+them too far, and were cut off.  At last all the survivors returned to
+the trenches, and then the enemy commenced a furious cannonade, as if to
+revenge themselves for the repulse.  Their sharpshooters, too, were on
+the alert, and if a man chanced to show the top of his shako above the
+earthworks, several bullets went through it instantly.
+
+Among those who had fallen on the exposed ground outside was a young
+officer--almost a boy, with fair curling hair and a soft little
+moustache.
+
+He lay severely wounded under the frail protection of a bush round which
+shot and shell were raining fearfully.  Corporal Thorogood observed him,
+leaped over the earthworks, ran through the iron storm, raised the youth
+in his strong arms, and brought him under cover in safety.  The
+Corporal's shako was riddled, and his clothes were torn in all
+directions, but nothing had touched his body save one bullet, which cut
+off the forefinger of his right hand.
+
+For this gallant deed Corporal Robert Thorogood afterwards received the
+Victoria Cross.  What pleased him far more, however, was the fact that
+the young officer's life was saved, and he ultimately recovered from his
+wounds.
+
+"Ah, then," said the big Irishman, with a look of pity when Bob showed
+him his bleeding hand, "your sodgerin' days is over, me boy."
+
+And so they were.  At the close of the war our Corporal retired from the
+service with a small pension, leaving two fingers behind him!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIX.
+
+One very cold but calm and clear winter night, a lame man was seen to
+hurry along the Strand in the direction of Saint Paul's Cathedral.  The
+man was clothed in a thick greatcoat, and wore a shawl round his neck,
+which muffled him up to the very eyes.  Indeed, the said shawl would
+have gone quite over his eyes if it had not been for his fine Roman
+nose, which stuck out over it, and held it firmly down.
+
+The man's lameness was only a limp.  It did not prevent him from walking
+very fast indeed.  He was evidently bent on business; nevertheless, the
+business was not so pressing but that he could stop now and then to look
+at anything that interested him in the crowded streets.
+
+And how crowded they were--and cheerful too: for it was Christmastide,
+and people seemed to be more excited and hearty than usual.  The shops
+were resplendent--filled to overflowing with everything that could tempt
+man to spend money, and blazing with gas-light, so that the streets
+seemed even brighter than at noon.  The poulterers' shops, in
+particular, were so stuffed, that rows of fat geese and ducks,
+apparently finding the crush too much for them inside, seemed to have
+come outside the shops and hung themselves up round the doors and
+windows!
+
+The lame man did not linger long, however, but hurried onwards until he
+reached that quarter of the city near to the Bank of England, where very
+poor and wretched people lived upon wondrously little of that gold which
+lay in such huge quantities so near them.
+
+In the back slums of this region there were no bright gas-lights.  The
+shops were ill-lighted and miserable, like the population, except a few
+at the corners of streets, where rough men and ragged women, and even
+children, went to poison themselves with gin.
+
+In one of the darkest and dirtiest of these streets the lame man found
+an open door and entered, taking off his greatcoat and shawl, which he
+handed to a pleasant-faced man who stood there.
+
+"I'm in good time, I hope?" said the lame man.
+
+"Oh yes, they're on'y 'alf through their tea yet.  Miss Home's bin
+singin' to 'em."
+
+The lame man's body was very thin and not very strong, but his face was
+particularly handsome and grave, with a strange mingling of humour and
+sadness in his expression.
+
+Opening an inner door, he entered a large schoolroom, and, going to the
+upper end of it, took his place behind some gentlemen, who nodded to him
+as he passed.
+
+The room was filled with the very lowest classes of the London poor.
+Among them were ferocious-looking, dirty, ragged men, who might have
+been thieves, burglars, or pickpockets.  Not less disreputable-looking
+were the women and children.  The air of the room smelt horribly of
+dirty clothes and drink.  They were all very quiet, however, and
+well-behaved at the time, for all were busily engaged in eating splendid
+"hunks" of bread and cheese, and drinking huge mugsful of hot tea.
+Truly there are few quieters of the savage human breast equal to food!
+Probably all the people there were hungry; many of them had been
+starving, and were ravenous.  There was scarcely any sound except of
+moving jaws, when, accompanied by a few chords from a harmonium, a
+sweet, mellow, female voice told of the love of Jesus Christ to poor,
+perishing, guilty man.
+
+Both the words and music of the hymn had a soothing influence on the
+people.  When the calm contentment resulting from satisfied hunger had
+settled down on them, a gentleman rose, and, continuing the theme of the
+hymn, told his hearers earnestly about the Saviour of sinners.  His
+address was very short, because, he said, a city missionary--a personal
+friend--had come that night to speak to them.  As he said this, he
+turned to the lame man, who rose at once and stood forward.
+
+There was something in the gaze of this man's piercing yet tender eyes
+which forced the attention of even the most careless among them.  His
+handsome young face was very pale, and his lips were for a moment
+compressed, as if he were trying to keep back the words which were ready
+to rush out.  When he spoke, the soft tones of a deep bass voice helped
+to secure attention, so that you could have heard a pin drop.
+
+At once the lame man launched into a most thrilling description of a
+scene of peril and rescue.  He told of a gallant ship battling with a
+furious gale: of her striking on a shoal: of the masts going over the
+side: of wreck and ruin all around, and the wild waves bursting over
+passengers and crew, and gradually breaking up the ship--"No hope--no
+hope--only cries for mercy--shrieks of despair!"
+
+As the lame man spoke, his eyes seemed to flash.  His cheeks were no
+longer pale.  The rough men before him frowned and gazed as if their
+anxiety had been roused.  The women leaned forward with eager looks of
+sympathy.  Even the children were spellbound.  One hulking fellow, with
+a broken nose and a black eye, sat clutching both knees with his
+muscular hands, and gazed open-mouthed and motionless at the speaker,
+who went on to say that when things were at their worst, and death
+stared the perishing people in the face, a beautiful object seemed
+suddenly to rise out of the raging sea; its colour was a mixture of pure
+white and bright blue!
+
+It was the lifeboat, which sheered alongside and took them on board one
+by one.
+
+"Some there were," said the lame man impressively, "who hung back, and
+some who at first did not believe in the lifeboat, and _refused_ to
+leave the doomed ship.  There was _no hope_ for those who refused--none
+whatever; but they gave in at last.  God put it into their hearts to
+_trust_ the lifeboat, and so the whole were rescued and brought in
+safety to the land."
+
+"Well done!" burst from the hulking man with the broken nose, and a deep
+sigh of relief escaped from many of the women; but there was instant
+silence again, for the speaker's hand was up, his eyes were glittering,
+and his lips compressed.  Every one knew that more was coming, and they
+bent forward.
+
+Then, in a low soft voice, he began to tell of a dark but quiet night,
+and a slumbering city; of a little spark, which like sin in a child, was
+scarcely visible at first, but soon grew fierce and spread, until it
+burst out in all the fury of an unquenchable fire.  He told of the
+alarm, the shouts of "_Fire_!" the rushing to the rescue, and the
+arrival of the engines and the fire-escape.  Then he described the
+horror of a young woman in the burning house, who, awaking almost too
+late, found herself on the very edge of destruction, with the black
+smoke circling round and the impassable gulf of flame below.  Just then
+the head of the fire-escape approached her, and a man with extended arms
+was seen a few feet below her, calling out, "Come!"
+
+Like some of those in the shipwreck, she did not at first believe in the
+fire-escape.  She could not _trust_.  She _would not_ leap.  While in
+that condition there was no hope for her, but God put it into her heart
+to trust.  She leaped, and was saved!
+
+The speaker stopped.  Again there was a sigh of relief and a tendency to
+cheer on the part of the hulking man, but once more the sparkling eyes
+and compressed lips riveted the people and tied their tongues.  In
+another moment the missionary had them on a battlefield, which he
+described with thrilling power, passing rapidly from the first bugle
+call through all the fight, until the foe was finally put to flight amid
+the shouts of "Victory!"
+
+"Men and women," he said in conclusion, "I am painting no fancy
+pictures.  The things I have told to you did really happen, and four
+dear brothers of my own were chief actors in the scenes described.  They
+helped to rescue the perishing from the sea and from the fire, and
+joined in the shout of Victory! on the battlefield.  Now, friends, you
+are in a worse case than any I have yet described.  The tempest of sin
+is roaring round and in you.  This world is sinking beneath you, but
+Jesus Christ, our Lifeboat, is alongside.  Will you come?  The fire is
+burning under your very feet; there is no deliverance from the flames of
+God's wrath, except by the Great Escape.  Jesus is at hand to save.
+Will you come?  The battle is raging.  Don't you _know_ it?  Do you
+forget that awful combat with the tempter when you fought your way past
+the gin-shop, but were beaten and turned back?  Or that terrible
+assault, when passion after a deadly struggle laid you helpless on your
+back?  Oh! may God's Holy Spirit open your eyes to see Jesus--the
+Captain of your Salvation--at your elbow this moment, waiting at the
+door of your heart and knocking till you will open and let Him in to
+lead you on to--Victory!"
+
+Here the speaker dropped his voice again, and spoke tenderly of the love
+of Jesus to the chief of sinners, and as he spoke, tears were seen
+trickling down many a dirty face, and sobs broke the solemn stillness.
+
+As the lame man was going home that night, a young girl ran after him
+and seized his arm.  Her eyes were swollen with weeping.
+
+"Oh, sir," she cried in a low voice that trembled with emotion, "can--
+will--Jesus save the like of me?"
+
+"Assuredly, my poor girl.  He says `Come unto me,' and `Whosoever
+_will_,' let him come.  If _you_ are willing, there is no doubt about
+_His_ willingness.  The difficulty only lies with you, not with Him.
+Where do you live?"
+
+"I have no home," sobbed the girl; "I have run away from my home, and
+have no place to lay my head in here.  But oh! sir, I want to be saved!"
+
+The lame man looked with the deepest commiseration into the appealing
+eyes.  "Come," he said, "walk with me.  I will tell you of One who had
+no place where to lay His head."
+
+She took his arm without a word, and the two hurried through the still
+crowded streets.  Arrived at his own door, the lame man knocked.  It was
+opened by a fair, soft, and exceedingly pretty little woman of about
+thirty years of age, whose fresh face was the very personification of
+goodness.
+
+"Why, Jim!" she exclaimed, looking at the girl in surprise.
+
+"Here we are, Molly," exclaimed the lame man, bustling into a snug room
+in which a fire was blazing, and cheering preparations for tea were
+going on, "and I've brought a friend to spend the night with us.
+There's plenty of room on your floor for a shake-down, eh?  This is my
+sister," he added turning to the girl, "Mary Thorogood, but we always
+call her Molly.  She has come to visit me this Christmas--much against
+her will, I believe, she's so fond of the old folk at home.  Come now,
+take her into your room, Molly; make her comfortable, and then we'll
+have tea."
+
+Molly took the girl into her room.  Returning a moment later for
+something forgotten, she was touched on the shoulder by her brother, who
+whispered low in her ear:--
+
+"A brand, Molly dear, plucked from the burning."
+
+Molly turned her eyes upon her brother with a glad smile as she
+re-entered her little room, and shut the door.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVEN.
+
+Twelve months passed away, and Christmas came again, with its frost and
+snow and sunshine--its blazing fires, its good cheer, and its merry
+greetings.
+
+Many a Christmastide had now passed over the head of our blacksmith,
+John Thorogood, and his excellent wife Mary, but Time had touched them
+lightly in its flight.  They both looked young and hale, and full of
+vigour.  The only difference in them was a wrinkle or two at the corners
+of the eyes, and a few grey hairs mingling with the brown.  Perhaps John
+was a little more corpulent than when he was a youth; but he could wield
+the fore-hammer as easily and powerfully as ever.
+
+A cloud, however, had been gathering over their happy home during the
+past year.  Molly--the sweet active girl who had never known a day's
+illness from her childhood--had fallen into bad health.  Her step had
+lost its spring, but her cheerful spirit was unsubdued.
+
+"You're better to-day, Molly darling?" asked the smith, in a tone which
+showed he was not sure of the answer.
+
+"Yes, father, much better."  Molly did not use endearing terms, but the
+sweetness of her looks and voice rendered such needless.
+
+She was pale and thin, and could not check the touch of sadness in her
+tones.
+
+"Fred is sure to come, darling," said Mrs Thorogood, stopping in her
+preparations for supper to smooth her daughter's fair head.
+
+"Oh yes, mother, I know that Fred is sure to come," returned Molly, with
+a laugh and a little blush.  "No fear of _him_.  I was not thinking of
+him, but of Jim.  It is the first Christmas we shall have spent without
+him.  Dear Jim!  I wonder what company he will have to spend it with him
+in the backwoods."
+
+"Whatever company it may be," returned the mother, "they'll only have
+his body and mind--his spirit will be here."
+
+"Well said, old Moll; we shall have the best part of him to-night in
+spite of the Atlantic Ocean," cried the blacksmith, who was seated on a
+stool making fun with the terrier, the cat, and the kitten--not the
+original animals, of course, but the lineal descendants of those which
+were introduced at the beginning of our tale.
+
+"I hope they won't be late," remarked Mrs Thorogood, looking with some
+anxiety into a big pot which rested on the roaring fire.
+
+"The boys are never late, Moll," remarked the smith, giving the cat a
+sly poke on the nose, which it resented with a fuff, causing the terrier
+to turn its head on one side inquiringly.
+
+As he spoke the front door opened, and feet were heard in the passage
+stamping off the snow.
+
+"There they are!" exclaimed old Moll, slipping the lid on the big pot,
+and wiping her hands hastily.
+
+"No, it is too soon for them yet; they're always sharp to time.  It is
+Fred," said Molly with a quiet smile.
+
+She was right.  Fred Harper, a fine strapping young fellow--a
+carpenter--had met Molly in London, and got engaged to her.  She offered
+to let him off when she became ill and delicate, but he would not be let
+off.  "Molly," this enthusiast had said, "if you were to become so thin
+that all your flesh were to disappear, I'd be proud to marry your
+skeleton!"
+
+Fred sat down by her side, but had scarcely begun to make earnest
+inquiries after her health, when the outer door again opened, and
+another stamping of feet was heard in the passage.  It was a tremendous
+stamping, and accompanied with strong, loud, manly voices.
+
+"No mistake now!" said the smith, rising and opening the door, when in
+walked four such men as any father and mother might be proud of.  It was
+not that they were big--plenty of blockheads are big: nor was it that
+they were handsome--plenty of nincompoops are well-favoured; but,
+besides being tall, and strong, and handsome, they were free, and
+hearty, and sensible, and wise--even in their joviality--and so
+thorough-going in word, sentiment, and act, that it was quite a pleasure
+merely to sit still and watch them, and listen.
+
+"I told 'ee they'd come in their togs, old woman," said the smith, as
+his son Tom appeared, dusting the snow from his Coastguard uniform, on
+the breast of which was displayed the gold medal of the Royal National
+Lifeboat Institution.
+
+"You might be sure of that, mother, seeing that we had promised," said
+Dick, the blithe and hearty man-of-war's man, as he printed a kiss on
+his mother's cheek that might have been heard, as he truly said, "from
+the main truck to the keelson."  At the same time bushy-browed Harry,
+with the blue coat and brass epaulettes of the fire-brigade, was paying
+a similar tribute of affection to his sister, while fiery Bob,--the old
+uniform on his back and the Victoria Cross on his breast,--seized his
+father's hand in both of his with a grip that quite satisfied that son
+of Vulcan, despite the absence of two of the fingers.
+
+They were all deep-chested, strong-voiced men in the prime of life; and
+what a noise they did make, to be sure!
+
+"You're not too soon, boys," said the smith; "old Moll has been quite
+anxious about a mysterious _something_ in the big pot there."
+
+"Let me help you to take it off the fire, mother," said the gallant tar,
+stepping forward.
+
+"Nay, that's my duty," cried Harry, leaping to the front, and seizing
+the pot, which he dragged from the flames with professional ability.
+
+When the _something_ was displayed, it was found to be a gorgeous
+meat-pudding of the most tempting character--round and heavy like a
+cannon-ball.  Of course it did not flourish alone.  Old Moll had been
+mysteriously engaged the greater part of that day over the fire, and the
+result was a feast worthy, as her husband said, "of the King of the
+Cannibal Islands."
+
+"Talking of Cannibal Islands," said Dick, the sailor, during a pause in
+the feast, "you've no idea what a glorious place that Pacific Ocean is,
+with its coral islands, palm-groves, and sunshine.  It would be just the
+place to make you well again, Molly.  You'd grow fat in a month."
+
+"Ha; get fat, would she," growled Bob, the soldier, "so as to be ready
+for the first nigger-chief that took a fancy to have her cooked for
+supper--eh?  Never fear, Molly, we won't let you go to the Cannibal
+Islands.  Give us another cut o' that cannon-ball, mother.  It's better
+eating than those I've been used to see skipping over the battlefield."
+
+"But they're not _all_ Cannibal Islands, man," returned Dick; "why,
+wherever the missionaries go, there the niggers get to be as
+well-behaved as you are.  D'you know, Molly, I've really been thinking
+of cutting the service, and emigrating somewhere, if you and Fred would
+go with me."
+
+"It would be charming!" replied Molly, with a sweet though languid
+smile.  "We'd live in a wooden hut, roofed with palm-leaves, and while
+you and Fred were away hunting for dinner, I would milk the buffaloes,
+and boil the cocoa-nuts!"
+
+"Ah, Molly," said Tom, the Coastguardsman, stroking his bushy beard,
+"the same idea has been running in my head, as well as in Dick's, ever
+since we got that letter from Jim, telling us of the beauty of his new
+home, and urging us all to emigrate.  I've more than half a mind to join
+him out there, if you and the old folk will consent to go."
+
+"You're not serious, are you, Tom?" asked Harry, the fireman, laying
+down his knife and fork.
+
+"Indeed I am."
+
+"Well, you might do worse.  I would join you myself, if there were only
+houses enough to insure a fire or two every month."
+
+"Why, man," said Fred Harper, "in these lands the whole forest goes on
+fire sometimes--surely that would suffice to keep your spirits up and
+your heart warm."
+
+"Let's have a look at Jim's last epistle, mother," said Dick, when the
+feast was nearly over, and fragrant coffee smoked upon the board, (for
+you know the Thorogood Family were total abstainers), "and let Fred read
+it aloud.  He's by far the best reader amongst us."
+
+"Well, that's not sayin' much for him," remarked the fireman, with a sly
+glance at his sister.
+
+"Your lamp is not as powerful as it might be, mother," said Fred,
+drawing his chair nearer to that of the fair invalid, as he unfolded the
+letter.  "Turn your eyes this way, Molly,--there, keep 'em steady on the
+page; I can see _now_!"
+
+"Eagle's Nest, Rocky Mountain Slopes, 5th October 18---," began Fred.
+"Darling Mother,--You've no idea what a charming place God has given me
+here, with plenty of work to do of the most congenial kind.  I have only
+an opportunity for a short letter this time, because the postboy has
+arrived unexpectedly, and won't wait.  Postboy!  You would smile at that
+word if you saw him.  He's a six-foot man in leather, with a big beard,
+and a rifle and tomahawk.  He was attacked by Indians on the way over
+the mountains, but escaped, and he attacked a grizzly bear afterwards
+which didn't escape--but I must not waste time on _him_, Well, I must
+devote all my letter this post to urging you to come out.  This is a
+splendid country for big, strong, hearty, willing men like father and my
+brothers.  Of course it is no better than other countries--rather
+worse--for weak men, either in mind or body.  Idlers go to the wall here
+as elsewhere; but for men willing and able to work--ready to turn their
+hands to anything--it is a splendid opening.  For myself--I feel that my
+Heavenly Father has sent me here because there is work for me to do, and
+a climate which will give me health and strength to do it.  My health is
+better now than it has ever been mince the day of that fall which
+damaged my constitution so much as to render me one of the confirmed
+cripples of the earth.  But it was a blessed fall, nevertheless.  I was
+cast down in order that I might be lifted up.  You would smile,
+mother,--perhaps you'd laugh--if you saw me at my work.  I'm a
+Jack-of-all-trades.  Among other things I'm a farmer, a gardener, a
+carpenter, a schoolmaster, a shoemaker, and a missionary!  The last, you
+know, I consider my real calling.  The others are but secondary matters,
+assumed in the spirit of Paul the tent-maker.  You and dear Molly would
+rejoice with me if you saw my Bible Class on week-days, and my
+congregation on Sundays.  It is a strange congregation to whom I have
+been sent to tell the old old story of Jesus and His love.  There are
+farmers, miners, hunters, even painted savages among them.  My church is
+usually a barn--sometimes a tent--often the open air.  There are no
+denominations here, so that I belong to none.  Only two sects exist--
+believers and unbelievers.  But the place is growing fast.  Doubtless
+there will be great changes ere long.  Meanwhile it is my happy duty and
+privilege to scatter seed in the wilderness.
+
+"Now, I urge you to come, because there is health for Molly to be found
+on these sunny slopes of this grand Backbone of America.  That is my
+strongest point.  If that does not move you, nothing else will!  One
+glance from the windows of my wooden house--this Eagle's Nest on the
+Rocky Mountain Slopes--would be sufficient to begin the work of
+convalescence.  Woods, dells, knolls, hills, plains, prairies, lakes,
+streams--with the blue mountains in the far, far distance.  Oh! if I
+were a poet, what a flight I would make into the realms of--of--well,
+you understand me!  I have no time for more.  The big-bearded postboy is
+growing impatient.  Only this much will I add,--do, _do_ come, if you
+love me.  My kindest love to you all.  May God guide you in this
+matter.--Your affectionate son, JIM.
+
+"P.S.--One of the members of my congregation is a celebrated hunter
+named Reuben Dale.  His wife is also one of my flock, and so is his
+friend Jacob Strang.  The manner in which Reuben got married is so
+curious that I have amused myself by writing an account of it for
+mother.  I enclose it."
+
+"Read the story aloud, Fred," said Molly.  "What Jim thought interesting
+must be well worth reading."
+
+Thus urged, Fred took the manuscript and read as follows:--
+
+THE HUNTER'S WEDDING.
+
+A STORY OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
+
+On the summit of a green knoll, in one of those beautiful valleys which
+open from the prairies--like inviting portals--into the dark recesses of
+the Rocky Mountains, there stands, or stood not long ago, a small
+blockhouse surrounded by a wooden palisade.
+
+Although useless as a protection from artillery, this building was found
+to be a sufficient defence against the bullets and arrows of the red men
+of North America, and its owner, Kenneth MacFearsome, a fiery Scotch
+Highlander, had, up to the date on which our story opens, esteemed it a
+convenient and safe place for trade with the warlike savages who roamed,
+fought, and hunted in the regions around it.  Some people, referring to
+its peaceful purposes, called it MacFearsome's trading post.  Others,
+having regard to its military aspect, styled it Mac's Fort.
+
+Reuben Dale stood at the front gate of the Fort conversing with a
+pretty, dark-haired, bright-faced girl of eighteen years or thereabouts:
+Reuben himself being twenty-eight, and as strapping a hunter of the
+Rocky Mountains as ever outwitted a redskin or circumvented a grizzly
+bear.  But Reuben was naturally shy.  He had not the courage of a rabbit
+when it came to making love.
+
+"Loo," said Reuben, resting his hand on the muzzle of his long rifle and
+his chin on his hands, as he gazed earnestly down into the quiet, soft
+little face at his elbow.
+
+"Well, Reuben," said Loo, keeping her eyes prudently fixed on the ground
+lest they should betray her.
+
+The conversation stopped short at this interesting point, and was not
+resumed.  Indeed, it was effectually checked by the sudden appearance of
+The MacFearsome.
+
+"What, have ye not managed it yet, Reuben?" said the Highlander, as his
+daughter tripped quickly away.
+
+"Not yet," said the hunter despondingly.
+
+"Man, you're not worth a gunflint," returned MacFearsome, with a
+twinkling glance from under his bushy grey eyebrows; "if ye had not
+saved Loo's life twice, and mine three times, I'd scorn to let you wed
+her.  But you'll have to settle it right off, for the parson won't stop
+another day.  He counted on spendin' only one day here, on his way to
+the conference, and he has been two days already.  You know it'll take
+him all his time to get to Beaver Creek by the tenth."
+
+"But I'll mount him on my best buffalo-runner and guide him myself by a
+short cut," said the hunter, "so that he shall still be in good time for
+the circumference, and--"
+
+"The conference, Reuben; don't misuse the English language.  But it's of
+no use, I tell you.  He won't stop another day, so you must have it
+settled right off to-day, for it shall never be said that a MacFearsome
+was married without the benefit of the clergy."
+
+"Well, I'll do it--slick off;" said the hunter, shouldering his rifle,
+and striding away in the direction of a coppice into which he had
+observed Loo disappear, with the air of a man who meant to pursue and
+kill a dangerous creature.
+
+We will not do Reuben Dale the injustice to lift the curtain at this
+critical point in his history.  Suffice it to say that he went into that
+coppice pale and came out red--so red that his handsome sunburned
+countenance seemed on the point of catching fire.  There was a pleased
+expression on it, however, which was eminently suggestive.
+
+He went straight to a wigwam which stood near the fort, lifted the skin
+door, entered, and sat down beside the fire opposite to a hunter not
+unlike himself.  The man was as tall and strong, though not quite so
+good-looking.  He was at the time smoking one of those tomahawks which
+some Indians have made with pipe bowls in their heads, the handles
+serving for stems, so that, when not employed in splitting skulls, they
+may be used for damaging stomachs--i.e. for smoking tobacco!
+
+"I've done it, Jacob Strang," said Reuben, with a grave nod, as he
+slowly filled his pipe.
+
+These two hunters were knit together with somewhat of the love that
+David bore to Jonathan.  Jacob gazed at his friend for some time in mute
+admiration.
+
+"Honour bright?" he asked at length.
+
+"Honour bright," replied Reuben.
+
+"Well now," said Jacob to the cloud that issued from his lips, "I
+couldn't ha' done that to save my scalp.  I've tried it, off an' on for
+the last six year, and alers stuck at the p'int--or raither just before
+it, for I never got quite the length o' the p'int.  But I've bin very
+near it, Reuben, more than once, uncommon near.  One time I got so close
+to the edge o' the precipice that another inch would have sent me right
+over.  `My dear Liz,' says I; but I stuck there, an' the sweet little
+thing runned away, larfin', an' so I'm a bachelor still.  But I'm right
+glad, Reuben, that you've got it over at last.  How did it feel?"
+
+"Feel!" echoed the hunter, "it felt as bad, or wuss, nor the time that
+grizzly bar up the Yellowstone River got his claws into the small o' my
+back--only I hadn't you to help me out o' the difficulty this time.  I
+had to do it all myself, Jacob, and hard work it was, I tell 'ee, boy.
+Hows'ever, it's all over now, an' we're to be spliced this evenin'."
+
+"That's raither sharp work, ain't it, Reuben?" said Jacob, with a
+critical wrinkle of his eyebrows, and a remonstrative tone in his voice.
+"I ain't much of an authority on sitch matters, but it do seem to me as
+if you might have given the poor gal a day or two to make sure whether
+her head or heels was uppermost."
+
+"You're right, Jacob; you're judgment was always sound, but, you see, I
+was forced to do it slick off because the parson won't wait another day,
+an' I'd like to have it done all ship-shape, for I've a respec' for the
+parsons, you see.  A man who's come straight down from the Pilgrim
+Fathers, like me, behoves to act discreetly--so, the weddin's to be this
+evenin'."
+
+"Well, you are the best judge, Reuben, an' it's as well that it should
+come off when old Fiddlestrings is here, for a weddin' without a fiddle
+ain't much of a spree.  By good luck, too, there's the lads from Buffalo
+Creek at the fort just now, so we'll muster strong.  No, I wouldn't give
+much for a weddin' without a good dance--not even yours, Reuben."
+
+That afternoon The MacFearsome arranged with the Reverend William Tucker
+to delay his departure for one day in order to unite his only daughter
+Loo to Reuben Dale.
+
+"You must know, Mr Tucker," he explained, in a slightly apologetic
+tone, "although Reuben is only a hunter, his parents were gentlefolks.
+They died when Reuben was quite a little fellow, so that he was allowed
+to run wild on a frontier settlement, and, as a matter of course, took
+to the wilderness as naturally as a young duck takes to the water.  But
+Reuben is a superior person, Mr Tucker, I assure you, and as fine a
+disposition as you could wish.  He's as bold as a lion too, and has
+saved my girl's life twice, and my own three times--so, you see, he--"
+
+"He deserves a good wife," said the Reverend William Tucker heartily.
+
+"Just so," replied the old trader, wrinkling his fierce yet kindly face
+with a bland smile, "and you'll confer a great favour on me if you will
+stay and perform the ceremony.  Of course, according to Scotch law, we
+could marry them without your assistance, but I respect the church, Mr
+Tucker, and think it becoming to have a clergyman on occasions of this
+kind."
+
+Having settled this important piece of business, Kenneth MacFearsome
+went off to make arrangements for the indispensable dance, and the
+clergyman, being fond of equestrian exercise, went out alone for an
+afternoon ride.
+
+That same afternoon a band of Indians belonging to the Blackfeet tribe
+encamped in a gloomy defile of the Rocky Mountains, not far from Mac's
+Fort.  It was easy to see that they were a war-party, for, besides being
+armed to the teeth, their faces were hideously painted, and they had no
+women or children with them.
+
+They had stopped for the double purpose of eating a hasty meal and
+holding a council of war.
+
+One of the warriors stood up in the midst of his brethren and made a
+speech, which, to judge from its effect on the others, must have been
+highly inflammatory and warlike.  During the delivery of it he turned
+his ugly visage frequently, and pointed, with his blue-striped nose, as
+it were, in the direction of Fort MacFearsome.
+
+Whatever might have been the tendency of the speech, it was suddenly cut
+short by the sound of a horse's hoofs clattering in the glen below.
+After bestowing a united eagle glance on the approaching horseman, the
+Blackfeet warriors turned a look of intelligence on each other, lay flat
+down in the long grass, and melted from the scene as completely and
+silently as snow-wreaths melt before the sun in spring.
+
+The Reverend William Tucker was a muscular Christian.  That is to say,
+he believed that the body, as well as the soul, ought to be cultivated
+to the highest possible extent--both having the same origin--and held
+that physical health, strength, and vigour, if not absolutely necessary
+to the advancement of Christianity in the earth, were at least eminently
+conducive thereto.  Holding such opinions, and being powerfully built,
+he threw himself heart and soul into whatever he did.  Hence the clatter
+of his horse's hoofs as he galloped swiftly up the glen.
+
+But the Reverend William Tucker was also merciful, and not only drew
+rein when the path became too steep, but dismounted and led his steed by
+the bridle when he reached the rugged ground near the spot where the
+war-party had melted away.
+
+Great and grand were the preparations made for the approaching
+festivities at Mac's Fort.  Michel, the cook, constructed a venison pie,
+the tin dish of which, (repaired expressly for the occasion that
+afternoon by the Fort blacksmith), might have served for a bath to an
+average baby.  The carpenter arranged the hall, or large public room,
+cleared away the tables, fitted up a device in evergreens which was
+supposed to represent the words _Loo_ and _Reu_, and otherwise garnished
+the ball-room with specimens of his originality and taste, while old
+Fiddlestrings, who was a self-taught half-breed, fitted to his violin a
+new string made by his wife that day from a deer-sinew.
+
+When the hour arrived for the performance of the ceremony, Reuben Dale
+appeared among the men of the Fort, dressed, not like a gentleman in
+broadcloth, but, in hunter's costume of the most approved cut and
+material--a yellow deerskin coat, ornamented with bead and quill work;
+blue cloth leggings, a small fur cap, moccasins garnished with silk
+flowers, fitting as tight to his feet as gloves fit the hands, and a
+crimson worsted sash round his waist.  He also wore, slung on his
+shoulder by scarlet worsted cords, a powder-horn and shot-pouch--not
+that these implements of the chase were necessary to the occasion, but
+because he would as soon have thought of appearing at any time without
+them as without his nose.  For the same reason his rifle accompanied him
+to the wedding.
+
+A short time before the appointed hour the bride-elect adorned herself
+in simple yet tasteful costume, which, being peculiar to no particular
+nation or time, we prefer to leave to the reader's imagination, merely
+remarking that as Loo was simple and pretty her garb corresponded to her
+appearance and character.
+
+But the appointed hour passed, and the Reverend William Tucker did not
+appear.  Hunters of the Rocky Mountains, however, are not an impatient
+race.  Reuben quietly waited as he would have done for a good shot at
+game.  Not so The MacFearsome.  His Celtic blood fired, and he muttered
+a few uncomplimentary remarks about the reverend absentee, which it is
+well not to repeat.
+
+As time passed, however, the dwellers in Mac's Fort became anxious, then
+alarmed, and finally the wedding was postponed, while a search for the
+lost one was organised; but they searched in vain, because tracks which
+might easily be traced in the wilderness get inextricably mixed up in
+the vicinity of a fort.
+
+Next day Kenneth MacFearsome, coming rather hastily and angrily to the
+conclusion that Mr Tucker had given them the slip and gone off to his
+conference, determined himself to perform the marriage ceremony as
+directed in the Church of England Prayer-Book.
+
+"You see, Reuben," he said, "I have a great respect for the Church, and
+would fain have had this matter knocked off by one of its parsons, but
+as this parson appears to be little better than a wolf in sheep's
+clothing--if as good--I'll just do it myself, for I'll not have my
+daughter's wedding delayed another day for any man, woman, or beast
+alive."
+
+"Wouldn't it be as well, sir," suggested the hunter modestly, "to have a
+hunt after the parson by daylight first?"
+
+"No, it wouldn't," said the old trader, with the air and decision of--we
+were going to say the great Mogul, but perhaps it would be more emphatic
+and appropriate to say--The MacFearsome.
+
+Knowing that appeal from that decision would be in vain, Reuben once
+more arrayed himself in the wedding dress, (which he had changed when
+the search for Mr Tucker was undertaken), and once again presented
+himself before his admiring friends in the decorated hall of Mac's Fort.
+The cook warmed up his gigantic pie, old Fiddlestrings re-tuned his
+home-made violin, and pretty little Loo at last appeared on the scene
+with two half-breed young women as bridesmaids, and two Indian females
+as backers-up.
+
+"My friends," said Kenneth MacFearsome, taking up the prayer-book, and
+commencing a speech which he had spent the entire forenoon in preparing,
+"I have a few words to say to you on this interesting occasion."
+
+The old gentleman's usually stern and handsome countenance had relaxed,
+and assumed a bland, sweet expression, which was more consonant with the
+circumstances in which they were assembled.  Before he could utter
+another word, however, he was interrupted, to his great surprise, by
+Reuben.
+
+"Excuse me, Mr MacFearsome," said that bold though bashful hunter, "but
+my friend and comrade, Jacob Strang, has not yet arrived, and it would
+grieve me to the heart if he was absent at such a time as this.
+Couldn't we wait a bit?  I wouldn't ask you to do so for any other man
+alive, but I've hunted wi' him since we were slips of boys, and--and I
+can't help thinkin' that somethin's gone wrong wi' him, for Jacob's good
+and true, and trusty as steel, an' wasn't used to fail in his
+engagements."
+
+While the hunter was speaking the bland expression faded from the
+Highlander's countenance, and a fierce look flashed from his blue eyes
+as he replied in stern, decided tones:--
+
+"Reuben Dale, if your friend Jacob was the great Israel of Bible story,
+or even Moses himself, I would not wait for him.  Don't interrupt me
+again, lad."
+
+He turned to the assembled company with a wave of his hand, as if to
+dismiss the interruption from memory, and attempted to reassume the
+benignant expression, with only partial success.
+
+"My friends," he said, but said no more, for at that moment he was a
+second time interrupted.  A shout was heard outside, the door of the
+hall burst open, and Jacob Strang himself strode in, bearing the
+Reverend William Tucker on his shoulders.
+
+Depositing his burden on the floor, he said hurriedly, "He's not dead,
+only stunned.  The reptiles did their best to kill him.  They're not far
+off, MacFearsome.  We'd better go after them."
+
+The MacFearsome usually gave vent to his feelings in Gaelic when
+labouring under strong excitement.  On this occasion his utterances were
+terrible in tone whatever their meaning might be.
+
+"Go after them?" he cried, in a blaze of wrath, "yes, we'll go after
+them.  Saddle my horse and fetch my gun.  Arm yourself, boys!  Some of
+you will remain to guard the Fort, and see that you keep the gates shut.
+Can you guide us to the villains, Jacob?"
+
+"I can at least follow up the trail."
+
+"Stay, _I_ can guide you," said a voice behind them.
+
+It was the Reverend William Tucker himself, who had recovered, and was
+sitting up on the floor looking rather confused.
+
+"No, sir; you will remain at the Fort and take care of the women," said
+MacFearsome gruffly.
+
+In a few minutes the Chief of the Fort was galloping over the prairie at
+the back of his establishment, followed by six of his best men, with
+Reuben Dale, and led by Jacob Strang.
+
+In thus giving chase to the red men the Highlander did not act with his
+wonted caution.  His wrath was too much for him.
+
+Jacob the hunter, while out after deer, had come on the trail of the
+war-party of Blackfeet.  Suspecting them of mischief, he had followed
+them up and found them just at the time when they made prisoner of Mr
+Tucker.  He saw them bind the unlucky pastor and carry him off, mounted
+behind a savage chief.  Jacob chanced fortunately to be concealed in a
+rugged piece of ground where horses could not act.  As the Indians were
+riding away he shot the horse that bore the pastor, and at the same time
+uttered a series of yells and extempore war-whoops so appalling that the
+savages gave him credit for being at least a dozen foes, and fled over a
+ridge before turning to see what had happened.  The fall of the horse
+had stunned the pastor, but the Indian leaped up and drew his knife.
+Fortunately Jacob's rifle was a double-barrelled one.  Uttering another
+ferocious yell he fired, and by good fortune hit the right arm of the
+Indian chief, who, dropping his knife, followed his companions like a
+hunted stag.  Jacob immediately dashed out of his ambush, lifted the
+reverend gentleman on his own horse, which he had left in a hollow close
+at hand, and brought him, as we have seen, safe back to the Fort.
+
+Now, if the white men had been satisfied with this, all would have been
+well, but The MacFearsome had been roused, as we have said, and set off
+needlessly in pursuit of the savages.  It chanced that the Blackfeet had
+arranged to attack the Fort in two bands that night--advancing on it
+from opposite directions.  The consequence was that while MacFearsome
+and his men were away after one band, the other--a much larger band--
+ignorant of what had occurred to their comrades, advanced after dusk on
+the Fort, and gave the signal for attack.  They were surprised at
+receiving no reply from their comrades, but did not delay the assault on
+that account.
+
+The men who had been left in charge of the Fort were quite worthy of the
+trust.  Stationing themselves a few yards apart all round the palisades
+inside, they kept guard.  Mr Tucker, armed with an axe-handle as a
+bludgeon--for he objected to taking life if he could avoid it--mounted
+guard at the gate.  Pretty little Loo kept him company.  The other women
+were stationed so as to carry ammunition to the men, or convey orders
+from the blacksmith who had been left in command.
+
+"This is a sad interruption to your wedding," remarked the pastor, as he
+leaned against the Fort gate, and examined his weapon.
+
+"It is," assented Loo meekly, "but you will marry us to-morrow.  My
+father will return too late to have it done to-night, I fear."
+
+"However late he comes we must get the ceremony over to-night, Loo, for
+I positively cannot delay my journey another day.  Indeed, even as it
+is, I shall be late for the conference of my brethren.  Hark!  What
+sound was that?"
+
+"I heard nothing but the hoot of an owl," said Loo.
+
+As she spoke an arrow, entering between the palisades, whizzed past her.
+At the same moment a volley was fired from the other side of the Fort.
+
+"Keep closer to the gate, Loo," said Mr Tucker, grasping his club with
+a feeling that the girl's safety depended on the use he made of that
+unclerical weapon.
+
+"Come round to the east angle, all of you," shouted the blacksmith.
+
+All the men in the Fort obeyed the summons in time to repel a vigorous
+assault made on that point by what seemed to be the whole band of the
+enemy, but the bride and one of her maids remained at the front gate to
+keep watch there.  Just as the victory was gained and the enemy were
+driven off at the east angle, a loud scream was given by the women.  Mr
+Tucker heard it and was first to run to the rescue.  He found that three
+of the Blackfeet, during the assault on the other side, had crept round
+to the front gate.  One of these had placed his head against the
+stockade, a second had mounted on his shoulders, and a third had thus
+gained the top of the pickets.
+
+Seeing at a glance how matters stood, Mr Tucker ran forward and thrust
+his bludgeon with a straight point between the posts, right into the
+painted face of the lower savage, who fell back at once, carrying the
+second savage along with him: but the third had already laid his hands
+on the top, and, vaulting over with monkey-like agility, came down on
+the pastor's shoulders with such violence that both rolled together on
+the ground.  But the savage was no match for the athletic pastor, who
+compressed his throat with a grip that soon caused him to relax his
+hold.
+
+"Here, give me your kerchief, Loo," gasped the pastor; "I'll tie his
+hands."
+
+"Why don't you stick him?" asked one of Loo's bridesmaids with great
+simplicity.
+
+"Because I won't take life if I can help it," replied Mr Tucker as he
+bound the Indian's wrists.
+
+At that moment there arose a wild war-whoop from another part of the
+Fort, and a volume of smoke and flame burst from the back of the chief
+dwelling-house which stood in the centre of the square.  The Blackfeet
+had gained an entrance at another point, and set fire to the western
+wing of the building unperceived.
+
+With a shout of rage the blacksmith and his men rushed to the scene of
+disaster.
+
+"There's father!" said Loo, with a cry of joy.
+
+"Where?" exclaimed Mr Tucker, looking round with a bewildered air.
+
+"Help to open the gate," cried Loo.
+
+The pastor did so at once, and, as he heaved at the bar which held it,
+he could hear the clatter of hoofs and the shouts of men outside.
+
+The heavy gate swung back just as the cavalcade came up, and they dashed
+in at full gallop.
+
+"Open the back gate wide, Loo, and leave this one open, too," shouted
+MacFearsome, as he flew past like an enraged thunderbolt.
+
+Our bride possessed that most valuable quality, a tendency to prompt,
+unquestioning obedience.  Running lightly to the other side of the Fort
+she undid the fastenings and forced the back gate wide open.  Meanwhile
+her father and our bridegroom, with his friend Jacob and the six men,
+charged down on the savages with wild yells of fury.  The sight of them
+was sufficient!  The Blackfeet turned and fled through the open gates in
+consternation.  As they coursed towards the woods like hares the
+blacksmith managed to turn on them a small ship's-cannon loaded with
+buckshot, which awoke the echoes of the wilderness with a deafening
+roar.  The horsemen also pursued and scattered them right and left.
+Then the gates were reclosed, while the bright flame of the burning
+buildings lit up the scene as at noon-day.
+
+"Hold your hands now, boys," shouted MacFearsome, drawing rein.
+
+Those nearest to the chief obeyed, and the others, soon perceiving what
+was being done, rejoined their comrades.
+
+"Where is Reuben?" asked MacFearsome, as they were turning towards the
+Fort.
+
+Each looked at the other, but none could answer.
+
+"I saw him down in the hollow, charging the Indians," said one.
+
+"And I saw him coming back by the stable-fence," said another.
+
+"Off with you to both places and look for him," cried the chief, "and
+the rest of you follow me."
+
+They searched swiftly to and fro for some minutes, and soon found his
+riderless horse.  Then a cry from one of their number was heard from the
+hollow.  Galloping thither they found Reuben lying on his back,
+apparently dead, with an arrow in his chest.
+
+In a moment Jacob was on his knees at his friend's side, and soon the
+arrow was extracted, but it was found that blood gushed freely from the
+wound.  Stanching this as best they could they bore the wounded man
+carefully to the Fort.
+
+"Oh, father!  I hope the fight is over now," exclaimed Loo, as her sire
+rode through the gateway.
+
+"Yes, the fight is over," replied the Highlander, sternly, "but it has
+cost us much.  Our house is on fire and Reuben is--"
+
+He did not finish the sentence.  Indeed, there was no occasion to do so,
+for, while he spoke, the men advanced who bore Reuben's all but lifeless
+body.
+
+Loo did not scream or utter a word, but her white face and compressed
+lips told their own tale as she walked by her bridegroom's side into the
+hall which had been so gaily fitted up, but was now a blackened and
+partially burned room.
+
+While the hunter's wound was being examined every one, save the pastor
+and the women, was sent from the hall to aid in extinguishing the fire,
+which had been nearly subdued.  MacFearsome was somewhat expert as an
+amateur doctor, and so was the Reverend William Tucker.  Their united
+opinion was that the hunter's case was a very grave one.  They did all
+that could be done to stop the bleeding and sustain the strength of the
+wounded man, whose consciousness returned after a short time.
+
+"Is it all over with me, father?" asked Reuben, in a faint voice,
+addressing The MacFearsome for the first time by that endearing title.
+
+"I fear it is, my son," replied the Chief.  "You know it is not my habit
+to mince matters at any time, and I don't think you are such a baby as
+to fear death when it is sent to you.  However, I will not say that your
+case is hopeless till I have tried my medicine on you--so keep up your
+heart, Reuben."
+
+"Father," said Reuben, "will you allow me to be alone with Loo, for a
+little?"
+
+"Certainly, my dear boy, but you must have your medicine first."
+
+Reuben replied with a smile and a nod.
+
+After taking the physic he was left alone with Loo.  For some time
+neither could speak.  At last Loo said, "Oh, Reuben dear! you are not
+going to die?"
+
+"I hope not, dearest, but when the Lord's time comes we must be ready to
+answer to our names.  If I am to go now I would spend the few hours that
+remain to me listening to your sweet voice reading the Master's Word."
+
+"Reuben," said Loo, with sudden animation, "will you grant me a favour?"
+
+"You know I will, whatever it be," replied the hunter, with a languid
+smile; "what is it?"
+
+"That we may be married to-night--within this hour," said Loo, with
+decision.
+
+"Why?  Of what use to wed a dying man?"
+
+"Because I want to nurse you as your wife, to the end, if it be His will
+that you shall go, and I wish to be for ever after called by your dear
+name."
+
+"It is a strange notion--a sweet one to me, dearest Loo.  It shall be as
+you wish.  Call father."
+
+At first the Highlander strongly objected to the wish of his child, but
+Loo knew how to overcome her father's objections!  In the course of
+half-an-hour Reuben sent for Mr Tucker.  The MacFearsome's medicine,
+whatever it was, was potent as well as patent.  Reuben was able to talk
+with considerable energy when the pastor appeared--summoned, as he
+fancied, to prepare the dying man for the great change.  Great,
+therefore, was his amazement when Reuben begged of him to make
+arrangements for performing the interrupted marriage ceremony within
+half-an-hour.
+
+"But you seem to be dying, friend?" said the perplexed pastor.
+
+"That may be so," replied the hunter quietly, "but Loo wants to be wed
+before I die, and we'd better waste no time about it."
+
+There was no resisting this, so the Reverend William Tucker made
+arrangements for the wedding, while The MacFearsome and his men were
+busied extinguishing the last sparks of the fire.
+
+It was near midnight before these arrangements were completed.  Then the
+men were summoned once more to the Hall, but how different were their
+feelings now from what they had been earlier on that day!  The
+occupation of old Fiddlestrings was gone.  Even the huge pie was
+dismissed from the scene.  The wedding guests crept quietly in, their
+gay costumes torn and covered with charcoal, and bearing other evidences
+of the recent conflict.  They were very silent, too, and sad, for they
+were aware of the critical condition of the bridegroom.
+
+When all was at last prepared a new and unexpected difficulty arose.  It
+was found that Reuben had fallen into a sound sleep!
+
+Thereupon a whispered but anxious conversation took place at the end of
+the hall farthest from the wounded man's couch.
+
+"We must waken him," said MacFearsome, with stern look and tone.
+
+"No, father," said Loo, with a tearful smile, "we must wait."
+
+"Your daughter is right," whispered Mr Tucker.  "Whatever be the
+condition of Reuben, sleep is the best thing for him."
+
+"But you must start for your conference at four in the morning, and he
+may not awake before that," objected MacFearsome.
+
+Their perplexities were suddenly removed by Reuben himself, who awoke
+while they were consulting, and asked his friend Jacob--who watched at
+his side with the tenderness of a brother--where Loo had gone to.
+
+"She's here, Reuben, waitin' to get married," replied his friend.
+
+The hunter roused himself, looked hastily round, raised himself one one
+elbow, and said in a strong voice, "Come, I'm ready now.  Let's get it
+over."
+
+Immediately Loo was at his side; the whole party assembled round his
+couch; the pastor opened his book, and in these exceptional
+circumstances Reuben Dale and Louisa MacFearsome were married!
+
+"Now, Reuben dear," whispered Loo, as she pressed his lips, "lie down
+again and go to sleep."
+
+"On one condition only," said the wounded man, with something like a
+twinkle in his eye, "that you go on with the wedding feast.  Jacob says
+a wedding is worth nothing without a dance.  Now, as this wedding is
+worth all the world to me, Loo, I'm determined that it shall be worth
+something to my old friend and comrade."
+
+It was found that remonstrances were in vain, so, as resistance to his
+wishes might have proved hurtful to the invalid, the wedding feast was
+continued and carried through with far more vigour than might have been
+expected, Reuben himself being, apparently, one of the most interested
+spectators.
+
+So Jacob had his dance, and he performed his part with unwonted
+energy,--for the sake of pleasing his friend rather than himself.
+
+When the lights were waxing low, and the great pie had been eaten, and
+old Fiddlestrings had been used up, Reuben called his friend to his
+side.
+
+"What with searchin'," he said, "an' fightin', and fire-stoppin' an'
+dancin' you've had a pretty stiff time of it, Jacob.  But you're a
+strong man--leastwise you used to be--an' I daresay there's plenty of go
+in you yet."
+
+"I'm fresh as a lark, Reuben," replied his friend.  "What want ye wi'
+me?"
+
+"I just want ye go fetch your horse, an' saddle my best buffalo-runner
+for the parson, an' take him to Beaver Creek.  Do it as fast as you can,
+Jacob, and by the short cut, and don't spare the cattle."
+
+"I'll do it, Reuben."
+
+Jacob was a man of few words.  He did it, and thus it came to pass that
+when grey dawn began to break over Mac's Fort, it found the Reverend
+William Tucker and his guide scouring over the western plains at the
+rate of thirty or forty miles an hour--more or less--while Reuben Dale
+lay sound asleep in his blood-stained wedding dress, his strong hand
+clasping that of pretty little Loo, who was also sound asleep, in an
+easy chair by his side.
+
+About the same time The MacFearsome flung himself down on his
+half-burned bed, where in dreams--to judge from his snorting, snoring,
+and stertorous breathing--he waged war with the whole Blackfeet race
+single-handed!
+
+When the pastor bade farewell to Reuben he had done so with the sad
+feelings of one who expected never to see his face again, but the
+pastor's judgment was at fault.  Reuben Dale lived--he lived to become
+as strong and able a hunter of the Rocky Mountains as ever he had been;
+he lived to take Loo to the western settlements, and squat down beside
+The MacFearsome's new farm, as a species of hunting farmer; he lived to
+become a respected member of the Reverend William Tucker's church in the
+wilderness, where he filled two pews with little Dales, which, as an
+Irish comrade remarked, was a dale more than he deserved; and last, but
+not least, he lived to urge, argue, badger, bamboozle, worry, and haul
+Jacob Strang up to that "p'int" at which he had so often stuck before,
+but over which he finally fell, and managed to secure that "dear Liz"
+who was destined to become the sunshine of his after-life.
+
+In regard to this matter, Jacob was wont to say to his friend at times,
+when he was particularly confidential, that "the catchin' of Liz was the
+best bit of trappin' he had done since he took to huntin' in the Rocky
+Mountains, and that if it hadn't bin for his chum Reuben Dale, he never
+would have bin able to come up to the p'int, much less git over it,
+though he had lived to the age of Methuselah and hunted for a wife all
+the time."
+
+"A good story," said Dick Thorogood, as Fred folded up the manuscript;
+"but to return to matter of greater importance than this hunter's
+wedding, curious though it be: what about emigrating?"
+
+"I'll go, for one!" exclaimed the blacksmith bringing his huge fist down
+with a heavy thud on the table.
+
+"John, John, it's not the anvil you've got before you," said old Moll.
+
+"No, nor yet is my fist the fore-hammer," rejoined the smith, with
+sparkling eyes.  "Nevertheless, I repeat that I'll go--always supposing
+that you and Molly have no objections."
+
+It was one of the dearest wishes of the old woman's heart to be near her
+crippled and favourite son, but she would not commit herself at once.
+
+"What says Molly?" she asked, turning to her daughter.
+
+Molly cast a sidelong glance at Fred, who gave the slightest possible
+nod, and then said, in her gentle voice, "The sooner we begin to pack
+the better!"
+
+"Bravo, lass!" cried the young sailor, slapping his thigh; "well said,
+and we'll all go together.  What say you, boys?"
+
+"Agreed--agreed!" was the hearty reply.
+
+And this was no idle talk.  That night at worship, the father of the
+family spread Jim's letter, as he said, before the Lord, and asked for
+guidance.  The end of the whole matter was that, a few months later, the
+Thorogood family emigrated to the backwoods of America, and began that
+career of useful, energetic, patient, God-directed labour which ended in
+the formation of a happy garden in a part of the wilderness which had
+formerly been the haunt of wild beasts and wilder men.
+
+And here, kind reader, we must close our little tale, for it would take
+a large book, if not two books, to tell the story of that thorough-going
+family's adventures while endeavouring to spread the truth in the Far
+West.  Suffice it to say, that they all found what they went in search
+of--health and happiness--because they sought for these blessings in
+accordance with the teachings of the blessed Word of God.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Thorogood Family, by R.M. Ballantyne
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