Gilbert hadnot been seen. Hugh and Arthur had come back, and had gone out again torenew the search. The whole day was spent in searching for the missingone, but no trace of him could be discovered.
Day after day passed by, and Mr Maitland could gain no tidings of theson, who, notwithstanding his disobedience, he loved truly, as the lastgift of his affectionate wife.
Many weeks afterwards Gilbert's pony was found in the neighbourhood ofthe farm with its saddle on its back.
Arthur, from overstudy, it was supposed, fell ill, and his life wasdespaired of. Poor Mr Maitland feared he should lose him also. He hadnot unhappily the consolation of true religion. He was a just andupright man in his own sight, and in that of his neighbours, and fullybelieved that he deserved the favours of God on earth, and meritedheaven when he should be called hence. When the time of trial came,there was something wanting. He could not look up to God as his loving,tender Father, and go confidently to Him in prayer for support, or saytruly, "Thy will be done."
Hugh had gone to college, where from the first he exhibited the talentswhich had gained him credit during his school career, and his tutorwrote word that he was among the most promising young men in theUniversity. He avoided all unnecessary expenses, and being of athoroughly independent spirit, kept aloof from those who would havedrawn him away from his studies. His aims were, however, worldly; thehuman intellect he held in the highest estimation, and was satisfiedthat by his unaided efforts he could do as he desired. He was sober,moral, and economical, because he was convinced that should he beotherwise he would injure his prospects. Hugh Maitland was thereforelooked upon as an excellent young man, and perhaps few were moreconvinced that such was the case than himself. He wrote home deeplyregretting Arthur's illness, hoping that the doctor's skill and Mary'swatchful care would bring him round, and sympathising with his father inhis grief that no tidings had been received of Gilbert.
"I am still convinced, however," he observed, "that had he met with foulplay, or by any accident lost his life, his body would have been found,and I have hopes that he will still turn up. Perhaps, as he had beenreading Robinson Crusoe, he may have taken it into his wise head to runoff to sea, though I should have supposed that he would have sent a lineto inform us of his romantic proceeding. Tell Arthur to keep up hisspirits, and not to say die."
Mary watched over Arthur with the most loving care, and through God'smercy he gradually recovered his strength, and was able to resume hisstudies. The doctor warned him, however, that he must not slick to themtoo closely, and advised him to take constant rides with his sister, andbe in the open air as much as possible.
"If you will be guided by me, my young friend, you will give up yourintention of going to college, and assist your father on his farm," heobserved. "You will find it a more healthy life than the one youpropose, and probably get as strong as you can wish." Arthur began toconsider whether it was not his duty to follow the doctor's advice.Mary hoped that he would do so, as he would then live at home with her.Mr Maitland promised every encouragement, remarking--
"Now I have lost poor Gilbert, there is no one else to keep on the farmwhen I am gone, or to afford a home to Mary."
This latter argument weighed greatly with Arthur. He had had indeed nodefinite aim in his wish to go to college; he might perhaps become amaster in a school, or take pupils at the university, or should he get afellowship, obtain a living, but he had never thought even in that caseof the duty of striving to win souls for Christ. Of the gospel and itsrequirements he had a very imperfect knowledge. Possessing a moregentle and loving spirit than Hugh, he thought it would be pleasant togo about among the poor, to try and make them moral and good, andrelieve them in distress. There were very few cottagers in theirneighbourhood who required much assistance. When any of them were sick,he and Mary had found much satisfaction in carrying them food anddelicacies which they were unable to procure, and in helping themsometimes with money from their own scanty means.
During the summer long vacation Hugh did not come home, having gone withsome young men who had engaged him to read with them. When he returnedat Christmas, Arthur's resolution of becoming a farmer was somewhatshaken. Hugh put before him so many of the advantages a hard-workingman with good talents might obtain at the university, that his desire totry his fortune there revived. He had continued his studies for severalhours every day, and now Hugh being able to assist him, he set to workwith renewed vigour during the long winter evenings.
CHAPTER FOUR.
Gilbert scarcely knew how long he had been a prisoner when he heard avoice which he recognised as Dick's. For some time he could not makeout what was said.
"I will have a talk with him," he at length heard Dick observe.
Some more remarks were made when the door opened, and he found Dickstanding outside.
"Why, Gilbert, they have treated you somewhat scurvily; but it was foryour good, lad, and no one is more anxious about that than I am," saidDick. "Come along, and have some dinner, and we will talk mattersover."
They repaired to the kitchen, where an ample meal, with no lack ofspirits, was placed on the table. Gilbert did justice to it, and Dickplied him with liquor, which he drank off without considering itsstrength.
"I must tell you, Gilbert, that your father is in a tremendous takingabout you," continued Dick. "If you were to go back, I should not besurprised if you found yourself turned out of house and home. He cameto me this morning, and accused me of spiriting you away. I told himthat I knew nothing about you, which was the fact. Now as matters havecome to the worst, you are not likely to have a pleasant home even ifyou do go back, let me advise you to put the plan we have often talkedabout into execution, and come and have a trip with me to sea. CaptainRogers sails in the _Saucy Sally_ to-night, and I promised to go alongwith him. We will have a jolly time of it; you will only have to swearthat you will never reveal anything you see or hear about the doings ofthe smugglers. I told him that you were as true as steel, and that Iwould answer for you."
Dick said much more to the same effect. At another time Gilbert mighthave refused to leave his kind father and sister and brothers, even withonly the intention of making a pleasure-trip, for he was not yethardened in vice, but the spirits he had drunk had taken effect. He hadcommitted the sin of wilful disobedience to his father's commands, andwas thus easily deceived by his treacherous companion, who persuaded himthat that kind father was too angry to forgive him, and that he would behenceforth an outcast from home. Such is the way Satan always tries todeceive erring people, both young and old, and to persuade them thattheir heavenly Father is not at all times ready to blot out theiroffences if they come to Him seeking forgiveness according to the way Hehas appointed through the all-sufficient atonement of His Son.
His false friend had fully calculated on gaining over the unhappyGilbert, and had told his host to get a pony ready for him. As soon asevening approached they mounted and rode to the banks of theChristchurch river, near which the _Saucy Sally_ lay moored. Though anotorious smuggler, as she had then no contraband in her, she could notbe touched by the Revenue officers. Most of her numerous crew werealready on board; Others were preparing to go off.
"Come!" said Dick, "we will soon be among the fine fellows," and sendingback their ponies by a lad who came for the purpose, he and Gilbertjumped into a punt, and paddled alongside.
Gilbert was welcomed by Captain Rogers, who had been expecting him.
"Glad to see you, lad!" he said, shaking him by the hand, "and hope weshall have a pleasant cruise together."
Gilbert did not suspect that that slippery fellow had an object ingetting him to join his gang. It was that he might revenge himself onMr Maitland, whom he hated heartily. Rogers thought also that bygetting Gilbert among them it might prevent him for the future frominterfering in their illegal traffic as he had hitherto done.
The _Saucy Sally_ was the longest boat of her class ever built--so itwas said--measuring one hundred and twenty feet from her bo
wsprit end tothe extremity of her outrigger. She had a large cuddy forward, andanother aft, while the whole of the midship portion was open for thestowage of casks, of which she could carry from between two and threethousand. She pulled forty oars, and carried an enormous spread ofcanvas; so that in calms, light winds, or gales she could easily givethe go-bye to any of the king's cruisers who might chase her.
The _Saucy Sally_ was soon gliding swiftly out to sea. She had got somedistance from the land, when a light breeze springing up, her sails werehoisted, and away she sped at a rate no ordinary vessel could equaltowards the French coast. Gilbert, who had often longed to take a tripin the craft he had so much admired, was delighted with the way in whichshe sailed, and Dick took care to keep him amused, getting several ofthe men to recount some of the daring and hazardous adventures in whichthey had been engaged.