She had clasped and kissed his hand with a sudden gladness, as if suchwords from him were both a joy and a surprise. He waited for noquestions, but hurried away.
"When the war is over, you will come home and settle down with yourlittle housekeeper, and let her take care of you. How glad that willmake her," said Blair persuasively.
"I shall never be fit company for her," said Derry firmly; "I know it,my boy. True, I'm a changed man. I trust I'm forgiven for the sake ofthe Crucified. But I've a pit within that needs purging thrice over. Aman like me is not made into a saint in a minute, though he may read hispardon clear. 'Following hard after,' shall be my motto; 'following onto know the Lord.' I'm not the one to sit down at the chimney-side witha creature like her. No, Blair, I tell you no. Look here, my boy. Here'smy path of duty. I've a God to glorify, I've a country to serve. Roughsailors wont think of my ways as she would. If I'm like a rock in what Iknow is right, and God will help me, I can do 'em good. I can set upthe right banner among 'em. I can make the forecastle praise the greatand holy name. It is for this I mean to work. It is for this I mean tobe a sailor now. There's not a port I've ever set foot in, but I'veshamed a Christian land there. I mean to put in to every port where I'veshowed my face, and let them see I've changed my colors. Where I've doneevil, there I mean to try to do good. I can't wipe out bygones. They arewritten in the book _up there_. But there's One in white robes willstand for me before his Father's throne. I'll work for Him while there'slife in me; and when I die, I hope it will be giving praise and glory tohis name. I want to do my country credit too. It's no shining thing, toget in the papers, that I expect to do; but just a patient serving God,that brings honor to the land where a man was born. You will pray forme, I know, when I'm off on the water; and if I die--your mother knowsthe name--she'll go to my little darling, and tell her how her fatherloved her, and hopes to live with her in the kingdom of heaven. I shallbe fit to sit down with her at that marriage-feast. I shall have on the'white robes,' and poor Derry Duck will have a 'new name,' by which theangels will call him, and his little darling will not blush to hear it.I shall live with her there." Derry dashed the tears from his eyes as hespoke, but he firmly repeated, "Here, I must labor alone, and struggleto grow like the Master. _There_, none shall lay any thing to the chargeof God's elect; and I and my pretty one will join with her mother insinging round the throne. Good-by, my boy. God bless you. You have sentout a Christian sailor to work for him on the seas. You have sent out alover of his country to strive to do her honor in his closet on hisknees, at his duty in the fight, and in his hammock when they drop himinto the deep sea."
Derry wrung the hand of the young patriot, and then moved away withquick uncertain steps. A lonely man, yet not alone, there was a comfortand joy in the rough sailor's heart. His life of labor was to be a gladvoyage to a better country, whose harbor lights would be ever leadinghim onward, and whose shining shore would ever glisten for him in thecertain future beyond the grave.
The young patriot had indeed been blessed in winning such a devotedservant to the Master's cause, and such a Christian sailor to maintainthe honor of his native land.
There was more such work for Blair Robertson, and for it he steadilylabored.
Peace came with its illuminations and festivities. The sword was laidaside on sea and land, yet Blair might still be serving the country heso dearly loved. His example, his fireside talk, and his glowing wordsin the assemblies of his people, might ever cast their weight in theright balance. The outcasts and the immigrant were still to be sotrained and ennobled as to make them fit citizens of our free and happyland. Above all, by his prayers and his holy living, he might call downon his home and country such a blessing as ever encompasses the dwellingof him who feareth the Lord.
To be such a patriot was the aim of Blair Robertson. Would that therewere many so to live and labor. Then might we be sure of victory overall our enemies, and of the abounding blessings of lasting peace.
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