Mrs. Robertson had suffered from many anxious thoughts since the departure of her brave son. But hers was not a timid or a repining spirit. She knew that the same eye watched over him on sea as on land; and the almighty arm could protect him as well upon the deep waters, as in the shelter of his mother's fireside.

Fairport gla.s.ses had plainly seen the British colors mounted by the vessel which had borne away the young pilot. The mother's heart throbbed as she mentally pictured the determined patriotism of her darling son.

Not merely a fancy and a picture that scene remained.

The two privateers which had given chase to the dismantled British vessel had an easy victory, and soon brought her triumphantly into Boston harbor. Hal Hutching's story won him liberty at once. The English boy had no sooner set foot on land, than he turned his face in the direction of Fairport. Way-worn and foot-sore he was, when he knocked at last at Mrs. Robertson's door. Warmth and welcome, love and grat.i.tude awaited him within. It was his privilege first to tell the mother how n.o.bly her son had borne himself in the hour of trial, and with what calmness he had faced the king of terrors. Poor Hal by turns wept and glowed with enthusiasm, as he dwelt on the praise of his friend, while the mother's heart welled with deep thankfulness at the mercy which had so spared and honored her boy.

Many and many a time was Hal Hutchings forced to tell over his story to auditors of all ages and conditions. The Fairport Guard, formally a.s.sembled, demanded the right of a relation especially for them. Every young heart beat high, and every eye flashed with kindling pride in their brave commander, and each one resolved to be, like him, an honor to his home and country. Like Lycurgus, their leader had given his laws, then left his followers to be faithful until his return. Anew they pledged themselves to keep their pure code, and strive to be a body which Blair Robertson the patriot would not be ashamed to command.

Hal Hutchings meekly bore the reflected honors that were thrust upon him, and well understood that it was his connection with the absent Fairport boy which made him such an object of interest. Hal however did not object to the golden gains which resulted from his new position.

Everybody was ready to give him "a job" now, and his old clothes were soon exchanged for new ones, bought with his own money and adapted to his own taste.

Not a day pa.s.sed that did not see Hal Hutchings at Mrs. Robertson's door, to lend his strong arm and willing feet to do for her some little kindness, a true labor of love. When the Sabbath was wearing away, Hal might be seen moving his coa.r.s.e finger slowly along the sacred page, reading holy words, to which Mrs. Robertson from time to time added her voice of explanation or gentle persuasive counsel.

So the chilling weeks of autumn pa.s.sed at Fairport, and now the first snow was ushering in November's dreary rule. A strong landward breeze was rolling the waves one after another as in a merry chase towards the sh.o.r.e, while the Fairport Guard were gathered on the wharf, valiantly fighting a battle with s...o...b..a.l.l.s. The appearance of a ship entering the harbor soon called the attention of the combatants away from the "charge, rally, and charge again," in which they had just been engaged.

Men m.u.f.fled in greatcoats came out of the neighboring stores and offices, and shivered in the cold wind as they bent their eyes on the stranger ship, for so at once they p.r.o.nounced her.

"British build and rigging, but the right colors flying. She knows the channel. See, she makes it as well as if she had Joe Robertson himself on board. There now, don't she come up the harbor as if this was her home, and she knew just where she was going to cast anchor?"

Remarks like these dropped from the lips of the eager watchers:

"I shouldn't wonder if it was our captain coming from foreign parts,"

said a small member of the Fairport Guard. "He's took that ship as likely as not, and is coming home in her."

"Pshaw, child," burst from several listeners.

"I wish we did know where that boy is," said another speaker. "He's a credit to this place, that's certain."

"He's an honor to America," said Hal Hutchings, who was now allowed to give his views on all occasions. Hal's face was bent forward, and his eye was fixed on a slender lad who was anxiously looking towards the sh.o.r.e. "It's him, it's him; it's Blair, I tell you. It's him," shouted Hal, throwing his cap in the air, and giving three leaps that would have astounded a catamount.

Hal Hutchings fought his way to the privilege of being the first to grasp Blair's hand, as he stepped ash.o.r.e; then there was a perfect rush of hands and a cheer from young and old that Derry Duck said was the pleasantest music that ever he heard.

"Where is she? Where's my mother, Hal?" said Blair as soon as he could speak.

"Hearty, hearty, and just like an angel as she always was," said Hal vociferously. The boy's joy seemed to have made him almost beside himself. "She don't know you're here, she don't. I'll be off to tell her."

"No, Hal, no. I'll be there in a minute myself," said Blair, moving off at a marvellous pace for a boy who had been wounded so lately.

The Fairport Guard fell into rank and followed their commander, while a motly crowd brought up the rear.

Blair stood on the familiar door-step. He laid his hand on the lock, and paused for a second to calm his swelling emotions, in which grat.i.tude to G.o.d was even stronger than the deep love for his mother.

Quietly sat Mrs. Robertson, plying the needle at her fireside, when the door gently opened, and her son stood before her.

That was a moment of joy too deep for description. While the mother and son were clasped in a long embrace, Hal could not help having his share of the interview by crying out, "He's come home! Be n't it splendid?

He's come! Dear, dear, I shall burst."

"You dear good fellow," said Blair, throwing his arm over Hal's shoulder, "you've been a comfort to my mother, I know."

"That he has," said Mrs. Robertson. "It was he who told me how your n.o.ble courage saved your native town and the very home of your mother from the flames. I thank G.o.d for such a son."

"Then I did what you would have wished, mother. Your praise is my precious reward," said Blair with affectionate simplicity.

"G.o.d has sustained you in the path of duty, and brought you in safety to your home and your mother. Let us thank him for all his mercies, my son. Hal is no stranger to prayer now; he will gladly join us."

It was indeed the voice of true thanksgiving which rose from those grateful hearts. He who has contrived joys for the meanest of his creatures, doubtless takes a pure pleasure in the happiness which he gives to his chosen ones even here; and rejoices to know that it is but the foreshadowing of that eternal delight in store for them where parting shall be no more.

CHAPTER XX.

SACRED JOY.

Sweetly the Sabbath bells sounded in the ear of Blair Robertson. What a joy it was to be once more at home, once more in his native land. How delightful the thought that prayer had already gone up from many family altars, and already Christ's little ones were gathering to be taught of him and sing his praise. To dwell among the unG.o.dly is indeed a bitter trial. The society of the unprincipled had been to Blair like a dark cloud overshadowing his pathway; and it was a new delight to him to be once more among the people of G.o.d. What a blessing it seemed to him to be a dweller in the land of light and liberty, where the free worshippers might pray and praise without let or hinderance from unG.o.dly men.

Full of such glad thoughts, he walked towards the church so endeared to him by many hallowed a.s.sociations. His mother was at his side, and his kind townsmen on every hand were giving him their cordial greeting, while the little children looked at him with curious wonder, as the brave boy whom even their fathers "delighted to honor."

Once in the house of G.o.d, all other thoughts were hushed in the mind of Blair, by the remembrance of the presence into which he was now ushered.

It was a joy to him to join in heartfelt prayer, and praise with so many true children of G.o.d, and to stand among his brethren who like him could say from the heart, "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ."

A deep, strong voice near him made the young worshipper aware of the presence of Derry Duck in the solemn a.s.sembly, joining with his whole heart in the hymn of praise. Ah, men might heap honor upon the young patriot, and applaud his courage in the hour of danger, and welcome was their cordial tribute; but their loudest acclamations had not power to wake in the soul of Blair Robertson such deep, grateful joy as the sight of that ransomed sailor, brought home to the Father's house.

Every word of the service had its meaning to Derry Duck. He confessed anew the sins of his burdened heart, and accepted once more the free forgiveness found in Christ Jesus. He called on G.o.d as his Father, and seemed to be professing before men and angels the faith for which he was willing to die.

The clergyman gave forth the simple notice, "A person desires to return thanks for a safe return from sea." All eyes were suddenly bent upon Blair with loving pride. Very deep and true was the thanksgiving of the Fairport congregation for the return of their brave deliverer; but who shall tell what pa.s.sed in the mother's heart, or in that of her rejoicing son?

CHAPTER XXI.

CONCLUSION.

It was in vain that Blair tried to persuade Derry Duck to see his mother, and accept her thanks for his kindness to her wounded boy. Derry declared that he would hear no thanks, the odds were all on the other side. And as for sitting down in a Christian woman's parlor, and making himself easy there, he wasn't fit for that. A forgiven sinner he believed he was, and could bow in the house of G.o.d with his fellow-men; but he was a beginner in the ways of G.o.dliness, too much tainted with his miserable past to be right company for those who had never gone so far astray. Besides, he pleaded, he had his little flower to see, in her own little nook. It would be a shame to him to set his foot on any other threshold before he had spoken to her. To her his first spare hours belonged.

Derry returned from his visit to his child with his heart more than ever full of love to his darling. She had received his letter, and rejoiced over it with great joy, declaring that not a treasure she possessed was so precious. Derry had allowed himself but the usual short interview, ever trembling lest he should mar her delight in her father by some knowledge of the wild life he had led. Yet, when he laid his hand on her head at parting, he could not resist speaking the fervent "G.o.d bless you, darling," which stirred at his heart.

She had clasped and kissed his hand with a sudden gladness, as if such words from him were both a joy and a surprise. He waited for no questions, but hurried away.

"When the war is over, you will come home and settle down with your little housekeeper, and let her take care of you. How glad that will make 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 of the Crucified. But I've a pit within that needs purging thrice over. A man like me is not made into a saint in a minute, though he may read his pardon clear. 'Following hard after,' shall be my motto; 'following on to know the Lord.' I'm not the one to sit down at the chimney-side with a creature like her. No, Blair, I tell you no. Look here, my boy. Here's my path of duty. I've a G.o.d to glorify, I've a country to serve. Rough sailors wont think of my ways as she would. If I'm like a rock in what I know is right, and G.o.d will help me, I can do 'em good. I can set up the right banner among 'em. I can make the forecastle praise the great and holy name. It is for this I mean to work. It is for this I mean to be a sailor now. There's not a port I've ever set foot in, but I've shamed a Christian land there. I mean to put in to every port where I've showed my face, and let them see I've changed my colors. Where I've done evil, there I mean to try to do good. I can't wipe out bygones. They are written in the book _up there_. But there's One in white robes will stand for me before his Father's throne. I'll work for Him while there's life in me; and when I die, I hope it will be giving praise and glory to his name. I want to do my country credit too. It's no shining thing, to get in the papers, that I expect to do; but just a patient serving G.o.d, that brings honor to the land where a man was born. You will pray for me, I know, when I'm off on the water; and if I die--your mother knows the name--she'll go to my little darling, and tell her how her father loved her, and hopes to live with her in the kingdom of heaven. I shall be 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 the angels 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 he spoke, but he firmly repeated, "Here, I must labor alone, and struggle to grow like the Master. _There_, none shall lay any thing to the charge of G.o.d's elect; and I and my pretty one will join with her mother in singing round the throne. Good-by, my boy. G.o.d bless you. You have sent out a Christian sailor to work for him on the seas. You have sent out a lover of his country to strive to do her honor in his closet on his knees, at his duty in the fight, and in his hammock when they drop him into the deep sea."

Derry wrung the hand of the young patriot, and then moved away with quick uncertain steps. A lonely man, yet not alone, there was a comfort and joy in the rough sailor's heart. His life of labor was to be a glad voyage to a better country, whose harbor lights would be ever leading him onward, and whose shining sh.o.r.e would ever glisten for him in the certain future beyond the grave.

The young patriot had indeed been blessed in winning such a devoted servant to the Master's cause, and such a Christian sailor to maintain the honor of his native land.