CHAPTER XIX.
"Had the land troops of the British gone away also, Captain?" askedEvelyn.
"No," he replied. "Early in May the British troops left the houses ofthe town and returned to their camp. It was some relief to the poor,outraged people whose dwellings had been turned into noisy barracks,their pleasant groves, beautiful shade-trees and broad forestsdestroyed, their property taken from them, their wives and childrenexposed to the profanity, low ribaldry, and insults of the ignorant andbrutal soldiery; but there was by no means entire relief; they werestill plundered and insulted.
"Clinton had gone to New York with about one half the troops, but afar worse tyrant held command in his place, Major-General Prescott byname; he was a dastardly coward when in danger, the meanest of pettytyrants when he felt it safe to be such, narrow minded, hard heartedand covetous,--anything but a gentleman. A more unfit man for the placecould hardly have been found.
"When he saw persons conversing together as he walked the streets, hewould shake his cane at them and call out, 'Disperse, ye rebels!'Also, he would command them to take off their hats to him, and unlesshis order was instantly obeyed, enforce it by a rap with his cane."
"That must have been hard indeed to bear," remarked Violet.
"Yes," cried Max hotly. "I'd have enjoyed knocking him down."
"Probably better than the consequences of your act," laughed hisfather; then went on: "Prescott was passing out of town one evening,going to his country quarters, when he overtook a Quaker, who of coursedid not doff his hat. Prescott was on horseback; he dashed up to theQuaker, pressed him up against a stone wall, knocked off his hat, andthen put him under guard.
"He imprisoned many citizens of Newport without giving any reason. Onewas a man named William Tripp, a very respectable citizen, who hada wife and a large and interesting family, with none of whom was heallowed to hold any communication.
"But Tripp's wife had contrivance enough to open a correspondence withher husband by sending him a loaf of bread with a letter baked in theinside. Whether he could find means to send a reply I do not know, butit must have been some consolation to hear from her and his children.
"While Tripp was still in prison she tried to see Prescott, to beg thather husband might be set free, or she allowed a personal interview withhim. She was told to come again the next day. Her application had beenmade to a Captain Savage, the only person through whom she might hopeto gain the coveted interview with Prescott; but when she again went tohim, at the appointed time, he treated her very roughly, refusing herrequest to see the general, and as he shut the door violently in herface, telling her with fiendish exultation that he expected her husbandwould be hung as a rebel in less than a week."
"Truly, his was a most appropriate name," remarked Grandma Elsie.
"And did they hang the poor man, Papa?" asked Gracie.
"I do not know, my darling," he answered, "but I hope not. Would youall like to hear something more about his persecutor, Prescott?"
"Yes, sir, yes," came promptly from several young voices.
"You may be sure," the Captain went on, "that the people of Newportgrew very tired of their oppressor, and devised various plans forridding themselves of him. None of these proved successful, butat length a better one was contrived and finally carried out byLieutenant-Colonel Barton, of Providence. Lossing speaks of it as oneof the boldest and most hazardous enterprizes undertaken during thewar. It was accomplished on the night of the 10th of July, 1777.
"At that time Prescott was quartered at the house of a Quaker namedOvering, about five miles above Newport, on the west road leading tothe ferry, at the north part of the island.
"Barton's plan was to cross the bay under cover of the darkness, seizePrescott, and carry him off to the American camp. But it was a verydangerous thing to attempt, because three British frigates, with theirguard-boats, were lying in the bay almost in front of Overing's house.But taking with him a few chosen men, in four whale-boats, with muffledoars, Barton embarked from Warwick Point at nine o'clock, passedsilently between the islands of Prudence and Patience over to RhodeIsland, hearing on the way the cry of the British sentries from theirguard-boats, 'All's well.'
"They--the Americans--landed in Coddington's Cove, at the mouth of asmall stream which passed by Overing's. Barton divided his men intoseveral squads, and assigned to each its station and duty. Then inthe strictest order and profound silence they made their way to thehouse, the larger portion of them passing between a British guard-houseand the encampment of a company of light-horse, while the rest of theparty were to reach the same point by a circuitous route, approachingit from the rear, then to secure the doors.
"As Barton and his men drew near the gate they were hailed by asentinel stationed there. He hailed them twice, and then demanded thecountersign. Barton answered, 'We have no countersign to give,' thenquickly asked, 'Have you seen any deserters here to-night?'
"That query allayed the sentinel's suspicions, so putting him offhis guard, and the next moment he found himself seized, bound, andthreatened with instant death if he attempted to give the alarm.
"While Barton and his party had been thus engaged the division from therear had secured the doors, and Barton now walked boldly into the frontpassage and on into a room where he found Mr. Overing, seated alone,reading, the rest of the family having already retired to their beds.
"Barton asked for General Prescott's room, and Overing silently pointedto the ceiling, intimating that it was directly overhead. Barton thenwalked quietly up the stairs, four strong white men and a powerfulnegro named Sisson, accompanying him. He gently tried Prescott's door,but found it locked. There was no time to be lost; the negro drew backa couple of paces, and using his head for a battering-ram, burst openthe door at the first effort.
"Prescott, who was in bed, thought the intruders were robbers, andspringing out, seized his gold watch which hung upon the wall. ButBarton, gently laying a hand on his shoulder, said, 'You are myprisoner, sir, and perfect silence is your only safety.'
"Prescott asked to be allowed to dress, but Barton refused, sayingthere was not time; for he doubtless felt that every moment of delaywas dangerous to himself and his companions, and as it was a hot Julynight there was no need for his prisoner to fear taking cold. Hetherefore threw a cloak about him, placed him and his _aide_, MajorBarrington (who, hearing a noise in the general's room, had taken thealarm and leaped from a window to make his escape, but only to becaptured by the Americans) between two armed men, hurried them to theshore where the boats were in waiting, and quickly carried them overthe water to Warwick Point. When they reached there Prescott venturedto break the silence that had been imposed upon him by saying toColonel Barton, 'Sir, you have made a bold push to-night.'
"'We have been fortunate,' replied Barton coolly.
"Prescott and Barrington were then placed in a coach which CaptainElliott had waiting there for them, and taken to Providence, arrivingthere about sunrise."
"I wonder," remarked Lulu, "if Prescott received the harsh treatmentfrom our men that he deserved."
"No," replied her father, "I am proud to be able to say that Americanofficers rarely, if ever, treated their prisoners with anything likethe harshness and cruelty usually dealt out by the British to theirs.Prescott was kindly treated by General Spencer and his officers, andshortly after his capture was sent to Washington's headquarters atMiddlebrook, on the Raritan.
"But it seems that at a tavern on the way he received something bettersuited to his deserts. At Lebanon a Captain Alden kept a tavern, andthere Prescott and his escort stopped to dine. While they were at thetable Mrs. Alden brought on a dish of succotash."
"What's that, Papa?" queried little Elsie, who had climbed to herfavourite seat upon her father's knee.
"Corn and beans boiled together," he replied; "a dish that is quitea favourite with most people in that part of the country; but was, Ipresume, quite new to Prescott, and he exclaimed indignantly, 'What!do you treat me with the food
of hogs?' Then taking the dish from thetable he strewed its contents over the floor.
"Some one presently carried the news of his doings to Captain Alden,and he walked into the dining-room armed with a horse-whip and gavePrescott a severe flogging."
"I think it served him right," remarked Lulu, "for his insolence, andfor wasting good food that somebody else would have been glad to eat."
"Prescott must surely have been very badly brought up," said Rosie,"and was anything but a gentleman. I pity the poor Newport people if hewas ever restored to his command there. Was he, brother Levis? I reallyhave quite forgotten."
"Unfortunately for them, he was," replied the Captain. "He wasexchanged for General Charles Lee the next April, and returned to hisformer command.
"While he was still there the Newport people sent a committee--TimothyFolger, William Rotch and Dr. Tupper--to him to arrange some mattersconcerning the town. They found some difficulty in gaining aninterview; and when at length Folder and the doctor succeeded inso doing, Prescott stormed so violently at the former that he wascompelled to withdraw.
"After the doctor had told his errand and Prescott had calmed down, heasked, 'Wasn't my treatment of Folger very uncivil?'
"The doctor answered in the affirmative, and Prescott went on to say,'I will tell you the reason; he looked so much like a Connecticut manthat horse-whipped me that I could not endure his presence.'"
CHAPTER XX.
There was time for only a brief stay in the cottages near Newportbefore the "Dolphin" must sail for Annapolis, in order that Max mightbe there in season for the examination of applicants for cadetship inthe United States Navy. He had not changed his mind, but was lookingforward with delight to the life that seemed to be opening beforehim; for he loved the sea, and thought no profession could be morehonourable than that chosen by his father, who was in his eyes theimpersonation of all that was noble, good, and wise.
He was not sorry that his suspense in regard to acceptance would soonbe ended, though both he and the other young people of the partywould have liked to visit places in the neighbourhood of Newport madememorable by the occurrence of events in the Revolutionary War; but theCaptain encouraged the hope that they would all be able to do so atsome future time; also said they would find at Annapolis some souvenirsof the struggle for independence quite as well worth attention as thosethey were for the present leaving behind.
So they started upon their southward way in excellent spirits, Mr. andMrs. Dinsmore accompanying them.
On the first evening of their renewed voyage the young people gatheredaround the Captain and begged for some account of Revolutionaryoccurrences in the State they were now about to visit.
"I will go back a little further than that," he said pleasantly,drawing Gracie to a seat upon his knee,--"to the action of the peopleof Maryland upon hearing of the passage of the Stamp Act. In August,1765, there was a meeting at Annapolis of the 'Assertors of BritishAmerican privileges' held 'to show their detestation of and abhorrenceto some late tremendous attacks on liberty, and their dislike to acertain late arrived officer, a _native of this province_.'
"The person to whom they referred was a Mr. Hood, who had beenappointed stamp-master while in England shortly before. Dr. Franklinhad recommended him for the place; but the people were so angry thatno one would buy goods of him, though offered at a very low price. Helearned that they intended to give him a coat of tar and feathers, butescaped to New York in time to save himself from that.
"As they couldn't catch him they made an effigy of him, dressed itoddly, put it in a cart, like a malefactor, with some sheets of paperbefore it, and paraded it through the town, the bell tolling all thewhile. They then took it to a hill, punished it at the whipping postand pillory, hung it on the gibbet, then set fire to a tar-barrelunderneath and burned it."
"Oh," gasped Gracie, "how dreadful if it had been the man himself!"
"But it wasn't, Gracie dear," laughed Lulu; "and if it had been, I'mnot sure it was worse than he deserved."
"But I suppose they had to use the stamps for all that,--hadn't they?"asked Rosie.
"The people refused to use them, and for a time all business was atan end," said the Captain, going on with his narrative. "GovernorSharpe sent back some of the stamped paper which arrived in December,informing the colonial secretary of the proceedings of the people, andsaid that if they got hold of any stamped paper they would be prettysure to burn it.
"On the 31st of October the 'Maryland Gazette' appeared in mourning,and said, 'The times are Dreadful, Dismal, Doleful, Dolorous andDollarless.' On the 10th of December the editor issued 'an apparitionof the late "Maryland Gazette,"' and expressed his opinion that theodious Stamp Act would never be carried into effect.
"There was great rejoicing when the intelligence reached Annapolis thatthe Act had been repealed. There were many manifestations of mirthand festivity; but, as you all know, that rejoicing was short-lived,for the king and his ministers continued their aggressions upon theliberties of the American people.
"In the autumn of 1774 the people of Annapolis were greatly excitedover the Boston Port Bill, and ripe for rebellion. They also resolvedthat no tea should be landed on their shores; and when on Saturday,October 15, the ship 'Peggy,' Captain Stewart, arrived from London,bringing among other things, seventeen packages of tea, the citizenswere summoned to a general meeting.
"It was the first arrival of tea since it had become a proscribedarticle. It was ascertained that it was consigned to T. C. Williams &Co., of Annapolis, that they had imported it, and that Antony Stewart,proprietor of the vessel, had paid the duty on it. This the meetinglooked upon as an acknowledgement of the right claimed by King andParliament to tax the tea brought to the colonies, and it was resolvednot to permit the tea to be landed.
"The people of the surrounding country were summoned to a meeting inthe city, to be held on the following Wednesday. Mr. Stewart publisheda handbill of explanation of his connection with the affair, sayingthat he had no intention of violating the non-importation pledges, andregretted that the article had been placed on board his ship.
"But the people had been deceived on former occasions, and knew thatwhen men got into trouble they were apt to whine and pretend innocence;therefore they were more disposed to punish than forgive Mr. Stewart,and at their Wednesday meeting resolved to destroy the vessel with itspackages of tea.
"But Mr. Stewart, by the advice of some of his friends, decided todestroy the vessel and the tea himself, and did so. He ran the shipaground near Windmill Point and set her on fire. That satisfied thepeople and the crowd dispersed.
"A historian of the time says, 'the destruction of tea at Boston hasacquired renown as an act of unexampled daring, but the tea burning ofAnnapolis, which occurred the ensuing fall, far surpassed it in theapparent deliberation, and utter carelessness of concealment, attendingthe bold measures which led to its accomplishment.'"
"Did the Americans hold any other such 'tea parties,' Papa?" asked Luluwith a humorous look.
"Yes," he said; "in New York and New Jersey; but I will reserve thestories of those doings for another time, and go on now with whatoccurred in Maryland,--principally at Annapolis,--in the times nowunder consideration.
"There was a small tea-burning at Elizabethtown--now calledHagerstown,--the Committee of Vigilance obliging a man named John Parksto go with his hat off and a lighted torch in his hand and set fire toa chest of tea in his possession. The committee also recommended entirenon-intercourse with Parks; but that did not seem sufficient to thepeople, and they added to it the breaking of his doors and windows. Itis said too, that tar and feathers were freely used in various places.
"Maryland was not ready quite so soon as some of the other coloniesto declare herself free and independent; but Charles Carroll, WilliamPaca, Samuel Chase, and others, called county conventions, and usedtheir influence to persuade their fellow-citizens of the wisdom andnecessity of such a course, and on the 28th of June, the MarylandConvention empowered th
eir delegates to concur with the other coloniesin a declaration of independence.
"As you all know, that declaration was drawn up and signed by Congressshortly afterward, and the men whose names I have mentioned were allamong the signers."
"Was there any fighting in or about Annapolis, Papa?" asked Lulu.
"No," he said, "but it was frequently the scene of military displays."
"I'd have liked that a great deal better if I had been there,"remarked Gracie. "But won't you please tell us about them, Papa?"
"I will," he answered, smiling upon her and softly smoothing her hair."Washington passed through Annapolis on his way northward after thebattle of Yorktown, which, as you will all remember, virtually endedour struggle for independence, though there was still fighting going onin different parts of the country. Business was suspended in Annapoliswhen Washington was known to be coming, and the people crowded streetsand windows to gain a sight of the chief as he passed. A public addresswas made him, and everything done to show their appreciation, respect,and esteem.
"Again he was there when, the war at an end, he resigned his commissionas commander-in-chief of the American forces.
"'The State House at Annapolis, now venerated because of theassociations which cluster around it, was filled with the brave, thefair, and the patriotic of Maryland, to witness the sublime spectacleof that beloved chief resigning his military power wielded with suchmighty energy and glorious results for eight long years into the handsof the civil authority which gave it,' says Lossing."
"But why did Washington go to Maryland to do that, Papa?" asked Gracie.
"Because the Continental Congress was then in session there," repliedher father. "It was a most interesting scene which then took placein the Senate Chamber of the Capitol. The time was noon of the 23dof December, 1783. Beside the congressmen there were present thegovernor, council and legislature of Maryland, general officers, andthe representative of France. Places were assigned to all these, whilespectators filled the galleries and crowded the floor.
"Bancroft tells, us that 'rising with dignity, Washington spoke ofthe rectitude of the common cause; the support of Congress; of hiscountry-men; of Providence; and he commended the interests of ourdearest country to the care of Almighty God. Then saying that he hadfinished the work assigned him to do, he bade an affectionate farewellto the august body under whose orders he had so long acted, resignedwith satisfaction the commission which he had accepted with diffidence,and took leave of public life. His emotion was so great that, as headvanced and delivered up his commission, he seemed unable to haveuttered more.'
"Washington still stood while the president of Congress, turning palefrom emotion, made a short address in reply, only a sentence or two ofwhich I will quote:"--
"Having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and those who feel oppression, with the blessings of your fellow-citizens you retire from the great field of action; but the glory of your virtues will continue to animate remotest ages. We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable nation."
"Which I think we have become," added Max, with satisfaction, as hisfather paused in his narrative.
"By God's blessing upon the work of our pious forefathers," added theCaptain, with a look of mingled gratitude and pride in the land of hisbirth.
"I think we must all visit the State House when in Annapolis," remarkedGrandma Elsie, who sat near and had been listening with almost as keeninterest as that shown by the younger ones.
"Certainly we must," said Mr. Dinsmore. "Some of us have been therebefore, but a second visit will not prove uninteresting, especiallyalong with the young folks, to whom it will be quite new," and heglanced smilingly around upon the bright, eager faces.
His suggestion was followed by expressions of pleasure in the prospect.Then the Captain was besieged with entreaties that he would go on withhis account of things of historical interest to be found in Annapolis.
"There is the little gallery in which Mrs. Washington and other ladiesstood to witness the scene I have tried to describe," he continued."It is said to be unchanged, as are also the doors, windows, cornices,and other architectural belongings. I confess it sent a thrill throughme when I first saw them all, to think they were the very same whichechoed the voice of the Father of his Country on that memorableoccasion.
"Also the very spot where Mifflin, the president, and Thomson, thesecretary, of Congress sat when the treaty of peace with Great Britainwas ratified, can be pointed out to the interested observer, which Icertainly was."
"It is a fine building," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, "much admired for itsstyle of architecture and the beauty of its situation."
"It is indeed," assented the Captain. "It is built of brick, has afine dome, surmounted by two smaller ones, with a cupola of wood. Asit stands upon an elevation in the centre of the city, there is amagnificent prospect from its dome. One sees the city and harbour,while far away to the southeast stretches Chesapeake Bay, with KentIsland and the eastern shore looming up in the distance."
"I remember two incidents which I have heard were connected with thebuilding of that State House," remarked Mrs. Dinsmore. "One is, thatwhen the corner-stone was laid by Governor Eden, just as he struck itwith a mallet a severe clap of thunder burst over the city out of aclear sky; the other, that the man who executed the stucco-work of thedome, fell from the scaffold and was killed just as he had completedhis centre-piece."
"Yes," the Captain said, "I have heard those incidents weretraditional, but am not able to vouch for their truth."
"Is there not a portrait of Washington there?" asked Violet.
"Yes," replied her husband, "in the House of Delegates; it is afull-length likeness, and he is attended by La Fayette and ColonelTilghman, the Continental army passing in review. It was painted byPeale as commemorative of the surrender at Yorktown, having beenordered by the Assembly of Maryland.
"There are also full-length portraits of Carroll, Stone, Paca, andChase on the walls of the Senate Chamber. The first two were paintedby Sully, the other two by Bordley,--both native artists. There isalso a full-length portrait of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, in Romancostume. Peale painted that also, and presented it to Maryland, hisnative State, in 1794. The work was done in England, and is of a highorder.
"The only other portrait I recollect as being there is one of JohnEager Howard, who, you doubtless remember, was one of the heroes ofthe Revolution."
Favourable winds and weather enabled the "Dolphin" to reach herdestination a day or two earlier than the Captain had expected, sogiving our party a little more time for sight-seeing than they hadhoped for. They made good use of it, going about and visiting all theplaces of interest. Almost the first that received their attention wasthe State House, with its mementos of the Revolutionary days, of whichthe Captain had been telling them.
They lingered long over the portraits and in the Senate Chamber,where the Father of his Country had resigned his commission ascommander-in-chief of the Continental armies.
They ascended to the cupola also, and gazed with delight upon thebeautiful landscape spread out at their feet,--Max manifestinggreat interest in the vessels lying in the harbour, particularlythe practice-ship "Constellation" and the school-ship "Santee," andscarcely less in the monitor "Passaic" and the steam-sloop "Wyoming,"swinging at their anchorage in the river.
"Papa, can I visit them?" he asked.
"Yes, my boy, I hope to take you to see them all," was thepleasant-toned reply. "I intend that you and all the party shall seeeverything that is worth their attention."
"That's very kind of you, Captain," remarked Evelyn in a lively tone."I for one am very desirous to see the Naval Academy, its grounds andthe drills,--one at least. I so enjoyed seeing those on Gardiner'sIsland."
"You shall," replied the Captain, with his pleasant smile. "I
t willgive me pleasure to take any of you who wish to go."
"I think that will be all of us," remarked Violet, with a bright andhappy glance up into her husband's face.
They were descending the stairs as they talked, and presently had allpassed out into the State House grounds. There they met a gentlemanin undress naval uniform who, coming forward with a look of extremepleasure, warmly grasped the hand of Captain Raymond, calling himby name, and saying, "I do not know when I have had so agreeable asurprise."
The Captain returned the salutation as warmly as it was given, thenintroduced the rest of his party, telling them that this friend of hiswas commander-commandant of cadets.
At that Max's eyes opened very wide and fixed themselves upon thegentleman with as eager interest as if he had been a king.
Captain Raymond noted it with a look of mingled amusement and pride inthe lad.
"This is my son Max, sir, a candidate for cadetship," he said, layinga hand affectionately upon Max's shoulder, "and I see he is muchinterested in this his first sight of one who will, he hopes, soon behis commander."
"Ah! a son of yours, Raymond? But I might have guessed it from hisstriking likeness to his father," the commandant said in a pleased andinterested tone, grasping the boy's hand warmly as he spoke. "I havelittle doubt that he will pass," he added with a smile, "for he shouldinherit a good mind, and he looks bright and intelligent,--his father'sson mentally as well as physically."
Max coloured with pleasure. "It is exactly what I want to be, sir,"he said,--"as like my father as possible." And his eyes sought thatfather's face with a look of love and reverence that was pleasant tosee.
The Captain met it with a smile of fatherly affection. "One's childrenare apt to be partial judges," he said; then changing the subject ofconversation, he stated the desire of those under his escort to see theNaval Academy and the Naval vessels lying at anchor in the harbour.
The commandant, saying he had some hours at his disposal, undertook tobe their escort; and thus they saw everything under the most favourableauspices.
The drill of the artillery battalion seemed to Max and Lulu verysimilar to that they had witnessed at West Point, but was scarcely theless exciting and interesting. They watched it all with sparkling eyesand eager, animated looks, Max hoping soon to take part in it, and notat all regretting his choice of a profession. He was not a bashful lad,though by no means conceited or forward, and his father had assured himthat if he retained his self-possession, not giving way to nervousnessor fright, he was fully competent to pass.
The boy had unbounded confidence in his father's word, which helpedhim to so fully retain his self-possession that he found little or nodifficulty in answering every question put to him,--for the Captain hadbeen very careful to drill him perfectly, making him thorough in allthe branches required,--and passed most successfully.
He was also pronounced by the examining physician physically sound andof robust constitution. He was accepted, took the oath of allegiance,and felt himself several inches taller than before.
Captain Raymond attended to all the business matters, saw the roomand room-mate selected for his son, and did all that could be done tosecure the boy's comfort and welfare. The parting from Mamma Vi, hissisters, and baby brother was quite hard for the lad's affectionateheart, but he managed to go through it almost without shedding tears,though one or two would come when Gracie clung weeping about his neck;but the last, the final farewell to his father, was hardest of all. Invain he reminded himself that it was not a final separation, that hemight hope for long visits at home at some future time, that letterswould pass frequently between them, and a visit be paid him now andthen by that dearly loved, honoured, and revered parent; just now hecould only remember that the daily, hourly intercourse he had found sodelightful was over, probably forever in this world.
The Captain read it all in his boy's speaking countenance, and deeplysympathized with his son; indeed his own heart was heavy over thethought that this, his first-born and well-beloved child was now topass from under his protecting care and try the world for himself. Hefelt that he must bestow upon him a few more words of loving, fatherlycounsel.
They were leaving together the hotel where the remainder of their partywere domiciled for the present. "Max, my son," he said kindly, lookingat his watch as he spoke, "we have still more than an hour to spend aswe like before you must be at the Academy. Shall we spend it on boardthe yacht?"
"Yes, sir, if you can spare the time to me," answered the lad, making agreat effort to speak brightly and cheerfully.
"Then we will go there," the Captain said, giving his son anaffectionate look and smile. "I can find no better use for the nexthour than devoting it to a little talk with my first-born, on whom Ihave built so many hopes."
A few minutes later they were sitting side by side in the "Dolphin's"cabin, no human creature near to see or overhear what might passbetween them.
For a little while there was silence, each busy with his own thoughts.It was Max who ended it at last.
"Papa," he said brokenly, his hand creeping into his father's,"you--you have been such a good, _good_ father to me; and--and I wantto be a credit and comfort to you. I"--
But there he broke down completely, and the next moment--neither everknew exactly how it came about--he was sobbing in his father's arms.
"I--I wish I'd been a better boy, Papa," he went on, "it 'most breaksmy heart to think now of the pain and trouble I've given you at times."
"My boy, my dear, dear boy," the Captain said in moved tones, pressingthe lad to his heart, "you have been a great joy and comfort to me foryears past, and words would fail me to tell how dear you are to yourfather's heart. It seems scarcely longer ago than yesterday that Ifirst held my dear boy in my arms, and prayed God that if his life wasspared he might grow up into a good, useful, Christian man, a blessingto his parents, to the church, and to the world. Oh, my boy, neverbe afraid or ashamed to own yourself one who fears God and tries tokeep his commandments, who loves Jesus, trusts in Him for salvationfrom sin and death, and tries to honour Him in all his words and ways.Strive to keep very near to the Master, Max, and to honour Him in allthings. Never be ashamed to own yourself His disciple, His servant, andHim as your Lord and King. Remember His words, 'Whosoever thereforeshall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinfulgeneration, of him shall also the Son of man be ashamed when He comethin the glory of His Father with the holy angels.' Doubtless it will attimes bring the ridicule of your companions upon you, but he is only acoward who can not bear that when undeserved; and what is it comparedto Christ's sufferings on the cross for you?"
"Oh, Papa, nothing, nothing at all compared to what Jesus bore for me!He will give me strength to be faithful in confessing Him before men,and your prayers will help me, too."
"Yes, my boy, and you may be sure that you will be ever on yourfather's heart, which will be often going up in prayer to God for ablessing on his absent son. It is to me a joyful thought that He is thehearer and answerer of prayer, and will be ever near my son, to keephim in the hour of trial and temptation, though I may know nothing ofhis danger or distress.
"Let us kneel down now and ask Him to be your guard and guide throughall life's journey, to help you to be His faithful servant in allthings, and to bring you safe to heaven at last."
They knelt side by side, and in a few well chosen words the Captaincommended his beloved son to the care, the guardianship, and theguidance of the God of his fathers, asking that he might be a faithfulfollower of Jesus through all life's journey, and afterward spend aneternity of bliss in that happy land where sin and sorrow and partingsare never known.
A hearty embrace followed, some few more words of fatherly counseland advice, then they left the vessel, wended their way to the NavalAcademy and parted for the time, the Captain comforting the heart ofthe more than half homesick lad with the promise of a visit from him atno very distant day and frequent letters in the mean time.
The "Dol
phin" was to sail northward again that evening; and as Maxwatched his father out of sight it required a mighty effort to keepback the tears from his eyes at the thought that he should beholdthat noble form and dearly loved face no more for months or--"Oh, whocould say that some accident might not rob him forever of his best anddearest earthly friend?"
But he struggled with himself, turned resolutely about, and enteredinto lively chat with some of his new comrades, all the while thecheering thought in his heart that nothing could separate him fromthe presence and loving care of his heavenly Father; also that hesurely would be permitted, before many months had passed, to see againthe dear earthly one he so loved and honoured. And in the meanwhilehe was resolved to do everything in his power to win that father'sapprobation, and make him proud and happy in his first-born son.
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Transcriber's note:
Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.
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