CHAPTER III.

THE OLD TAR.

"GRANDFATHER, make haste," said Dorothy and Judith, tapping at the old man's door, next morning. "It's past seven, and breakfast is ready. We're to go away at ten o'clock. Father has ordered the cart to come punctually."

"Many happy returns of the day to both of you," answered Captain Nance, opening his door. "Come in, my dears, and let me say my birthday wishes here. I believe I was up the first in the house this morning, and see I've got on my best rigging. It's only on such gala days as these that I dress up my old weather-beaten hulk so grandly; and I've put on all my medals, too, in your honour."

"You look fine, grandfather," exclaimed the little girls. "You must tell us some old stories about them to-day."

"So I will, little ones; I'll try and make your day cheery. I've done nothing but think about you since I opened my eyes this morning. I've been talking to the Lord about you: I've asked Him to give you a good passage through life."

"Thank you, grandfather," said Dorothy, throwing her arms round the old man's neck and kissing him. "But now you must come, for father and mother will be waiting. After breakfast we will go into the best parlour, and you shall tell us all about yourself."

"Oh, yes, do, grandfather!" added Judith. "But now come with us."

Each of the little girls took possession of a hand, and led the old man into the everyday sitting-room.

Captain Nance was quite accustomed to be so escorted, and he was just as submissive after the morning meal was ended. He allowed himself to be guided into the best parlour and seated in an arm-chair, while Dorothy and Judith placed themselves at his feet to hear some passages of his eventful history. They knew it well; certain parts of it they could repeat from memory, but still they liked to listen, for their grandfather invariably added some detail which gave fresh charm to the story.

"We've a whole hour before us," said Dorothy; "so begin directly, please, grandfather. Just say off quickly what happened to you, and then let us ask questions."

Captain Nance cleared his throat, and began, in these words:

"I have borne the battle and the breezes of a life on the sea for more than fifty years. I have been in four quarters of the world, and have been four times shipwrecked. I have crossed the Atlantic thirty times; I have lost four sons at sea; I have been in four battles at sea; I have saved two men from drowning. I have been a standard-bearer in the temperance army for more than forty years, and I have belonged to the Band of Hope for nigh upon a quarter of a century. Now I have coiled up my ropes, and am safely moored in a sailor's cot with those whom I love, and am patiently waiting for my sailing orders, bound on a long, long voyage, from whence there is no return—for ever and for ever. Amen."

"Now, Dorothy, which part do you want to hear about?" asked Judith, breaking the silence which fell over the little party after the "Amen."

"I know," replied Dorothy, whispering into her sister's ear first, and then repeating the same words aloud: "Grandfather, tell me about my uncles who were lost at sea, if it won't make you very sad."

"No, no, child: I ought not to be sad, an old tar should be a brave man. Thank God, your grandmother didn't live to see those days. I buried her in the churchyard yonder, at Paul, long before the sea swallowed up my sons. They were fine young fellows, and God-fearing men; they prospered and rose rapidly in the service, until they became master mariners. Three were lost within a few weeks of one another. They were outward bound to foreign parts. I can't tell you how they died: no one on this earth knows what they suffered, for ships, captains, officers, passengers, and crews, went down. But though they didn't reach the harbour of refuge here, Christ, the great Harbour-Master, came alongside and welcomed them into glory. Ah! My children, I'm proud to think of your uncles as honest Christian men, and as now safe with Christ.

"I blessed the name of the Lord even when my heart was bowed down with grief," said Captain Nance, reverently, after a pause. "Learn to thank God, my dear grandchildren, when He gives and when He takes away."

"And what of my fourth uncle, grandfather?" questioned Dorothy.

"My fourth boy, my Benjamin, yet remained to gladden my life. He was in America when the news of his brothers' death reached him. I expected him to return home in a few months' time, so I wrote and told him how I longed to see him, for he was my only son. He sent me a letter filled with words of comfort, and directed me to lean on the Rock of Ages in time of storm. He said he would be homeward bound earlier than he expected, and that a few days after his letter reached me, he would probably set sail.

"I counted how long it would take him to reach Plymouth if the weather were in his favour. I made allowance for contrary winds, and decided when I might expect him here. A week before it was possible for him to come, a great storm arose, and the Master was not in the ship to say, 'Peace, be still.' But He was watching; he hadn't forgotten my brave boy; he had prepared a mansion for him, and his Heavenly Father wanted him to fill it. The ship went down, and only two of the crew were saved; my boy, and all on board besides, perished; they told me he was praying when they last saw him. I could only murmur in the first days of this new sorrow: 'If I be bereaved of my children I am bereaved.'

"My fifth child was spared to me. Your mother, my dear Philippa, yet lives to cheer my last days, and God has given me your love. I thank him for these mercies."

The old man's tears were falling fast as he said these words. He did not often weep, but on this birthday morning, the past came up before him, and while thinking of his grandchildren, he had pictured to himself what his sons would have been to him in his old age had they lived.

"Grandfather, I'm so sorry: I ought not to have asked you to tell me about my dead uncles. Please forgive me," said Dorothy.

"I've nothing to forgive, dearie. Though my tears fall I do not fret, for I know my Heavenly Father has ordered all things for the best. I shall soon be with my lost ones. I'll not start sheet nor anchor until I get a clear meridian observation of Canaan, then I will furl sails and 'lay to' until my Saviour calls me to himself, and allows my old weather-beaten barque to enter the harbour."

There was a pause of some minutes, and then Judith said, "It's my turn now, grand father, and I'm going to ask you how you won your medals."

"And I'm going to ask you to get ready," called out John Trevan, opening the door. "Fetch your cloaks and hats, children, while I wrap your grandfather up in his warm coat, for the wind is cold, and we can't afford to let him run any risks."

All was now busy preparation; and in less than half an hour, the party were on their way to the Land's End. Captain Nance, Dorothy, and her father, sat on the front seat, and Philippa, with her daughter Judith, and a large basket of provisions between them, were packed in behind.

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