CHAPTER VIII.

MIDSUMMER EVE.

JOHN TREVAN returned on the 22nd of June, and found his dear ones well and happy. He had had a successful cruise and was some pounds richer than when he started.

Dorothy and Judith were watching anxiously for their father, because when he was at home, they joined in the gala doings on the Eve of St. John, and went to the fair on Midsummer day. It sometimes happened that Mr. Trevan was later in returning, but this year he was just in time, to the children's great delight.

One of the old customs that yet remain in Cornwall is the annual celebration of the Eve of St. John. It is thought to be a remnant of idolatry, and to have been introduced into Britain by the Phœnician traders who worshipped the sun; be this true or not, it is certain that the summer solstice has been celebrated for a long period of time by the lighting of fires.

When it grows dusk, tar barrels and bonfires blaze in every direction, at Penzance, Marazion, St. Michael's Mount, Newlyn, and Mousehole: the whole of Mount's Bay is thus illuminated. The young men and maidens resort to Penzance in the evening from the country, carrying torches, which they swing about in all directions: fireworks are let off, and the revels conclude by the lads and lassies forming themselves into a line and running through the street calling out "an eye, an eye!" And thus play the game generally known as "thread the needle."

Mrs. Trevan was rather nervous about her children going into the midst of the confusion, but her husband overruled her fears, and started to Penzance with his daughters on St. John's Eve.

Captain Nance grew young again when he saw the fires blazing: he fancied he was a boy running hither and thither with his torch, and leading the line of young people through the streets of Penzance. He watched them burn out and then he returned to his arm-chair and netting, and finally fell asleep.

"We've never enjoyed ourselves so much before," said Dorothy, opening the door at eleven o'clock, and thus rousing her grandfather. "The game isn't over yet, but father thought we'd better come home."

"I think so too," answered Mrs. Trevan, who was busy with her needlework. "But how tired you look, John," she added.

"No wonder," he replied, laughing. "Your daughters run so fast, and I had to keep up with them lest I should miss them in the crowd."

"You run quite as fast as we do, father," said Judith.

"Perhaps I do, and once I could run faster, but it makes my legs ache. I've been chasing you through the streets of Penzance for one hour, and am almost stunned with hearing 'an eye, an eye!' shouted on every side of me. But I am really proud of our young people, for with all their enjoyment there is no rudeness nor rough behaviour."

"That speaks well for them," remarked Captain Nance. "It was just the same in my day, and we rarely heard of an accident happening."

"Now, children, be off to bed," said Mrs. Trevan. "Are you going holiday-making with them to-morrow?" she asked her husband.

"We shall see," he replied. "At any rate, I am not going out fishing. I've an idea, wife," he said, when his little daughters had left the room. "I've come back richer than I've ever been before, and I'm inclined to hire a cart to-morrow and drive you all to the Logan Rock. The children have long wished to see it. What say you, father?"

"That I shall be delighted to go," said the old man; "it's many years since I was there, and it's one of the grandest sights in all our county. I should like to know where you can find sixty-five tons of granite to rock like a child's cradle. I ought, perhaps, to say that it used to rock like a child's cradle, for since it was tumbled over and set up again, it doesn't move so well as it did."

"Then it's settled that we go," replied John. "We've none of us been to the rock for many a day, and I'm sure we shall all enjoy seeing it."

"Indeed I shall," answered Mrs. Trevan, "and what's more, and best of all, is the outing with you, and the children, and father."

"I never thought to see the rocking stone again," said Captain Nance. "How wonderful it is that I have lived to my great age, after having such a rough life of it."

"God knows what is best for us all, father, and it's been a great joy to have you here," replied Philippa, "and I like to think of you as ready to live if He wills, but not afraid to die if He wills."

"Afraid, my child! No, thank God, I'm not afraid," answered Captain Nance, emphatically. "Who dare be afraid with a loving Father at the helm! I'm only waiting for my sailing orders. I'm ready to say to-night, or to-morrow, or this moment,—

"'Farewell, poor world, I must be gone, Thou art no home nor rest for me, I'll take my staff and travel on, Till I a better world may see.'

"Good night, my son and daughter."

The far-famed Logan Rock is situated on a magnificent headland of granite. It is approached through a narrow pass, on reaching the top of which the last rampart of rocks is seen, on which the stone is poised.

The road from Newlyn to Treryn, the nearest village to the Logan Rock, is a good one, and for some distance the same as to the Land's End. The cart was left at the village inn, which takes its name from the stone; and a walk of a mile through the fields brought the party to the shore.

"There is some climbing for us to do," said Captain Nance. "I think I shall want your help, John; that is, if Philippa and the children can take care of themselves."

"I can take care of myself, grandfather," answered Dorothy, "and Judith can go with mother. Did you see how well I got over the hedges alone?"

In spite of Dorothy's boastful way of speaking, she fell and grazed her arm; but not severely, only enough to make her more careful, and to remind her that it was better to act quietly than to talk grandly.

At length the summit of the pass was reached, and then the grandeur of the scene burst upon them: they sat on a slab of granite, and looked on to the rampart of rocks where the famous Logan Stone rests.

An old man approached them and touched his hat. "Would you like to see the stone move?" he asked.

"Yes; after we've rested a little, you shall take us right up to it, and we'll see if we can make it rock," replied Mr. Trevan.

"It 'll never rock again properly, sir; it used to rock easily enough, but since it was tumbled over eight and thirty years ago, it's never gone as well since. I could move it then with one arm, but now I have to push with my shoulders against it. That stone rolling over was a sight not to be forgotten in a man's life."

"Did you see it go?" asked Dorothy.

[Illustration THE LOGAN ROCK.]

"Yea, little miss; I was one of the two Cornish men here when the lieutenant came who did it. He was a nice young man, with all his faults, and uncommonly sorry when he found how grieved and angry he had made everybody about here. His name was Goldsmith, and he commanded a revenue cutter which was stationed off our coast. He'd heard that it was said in Cornwall no one could upset the Logan Stone, though it rocked so well.

"He'd nothing better to do, so he came over here with some of his picked men, armed with levers. He ordered them to be put under the stone, gave the word of command, and over it rolled. Fortunately it was saved from falling into the water, or on to the ground, because it stuck in yon crevice between the rocks, just below the slab from which it was started. My friend and I were struck dumb, and enough to make us, to see the beautiful stone, which weighs nigh upon seventy tons, which all the world flocks to see, and which some say was put here by the Druids, thrown over for idle sport.

"When we came to ourselves, we made for the Lord of the Manor, and told him what we'd seen. I assure you that day there was quite a panic among the people of Treryn; it was just as if a plague had broken out, or something awful had happened; and no wonder, for we've little enough to depend upon, and to have the bread taken out of our mouths was indeed hard, for who'd come to see the Logan Stone sticking between two rocks. The matter wasn't let alone. Lieutenant Goldsmith was reported to the Admiralty; and they ordered him to put back the stone, and said they'd lend him all that he wanted for the purpose from Plymouth Dockyard. The week of work that followed before it was done will ever be remembered by those who had a hand in it, and even the women and children looked on. Strong planks were fixed about the Logan Stone, chains were fastened round it, pulleys were rigged, and capstans were manned. At last it moved a little, then it began to swing about in the air, then it was heaved up, and by degrees dropped down where you see it; and then we all fell on our knees and thanked God."

"What became of the lieutenant?" asked Judith.

"As soon as the people saw that the old stone was back, their curses turned into blessings; but, poor young man, it was a lifelong sorrow for him. Putting it back cost him a lot of money, and he was only clear of all his debts just before he died. And now follow me, and I'll make it move."

The stone moved at the old man's push, but Mr. Trevan found that though he put forth all his strength, he produced no perceptible motion. Truly the days of rocking for the Logan Stone are well-nigh gone, but the wild beauty of its surroundings remains untouched, and fills the mind with awe and wonder.

"Which do you like best, the Land's End or the Logan Rock, Judith?" asked her grandfather that evening.

"The Logan Rock," she replied; "it's far, far grander."

"Yes, dear; I agree with you. I felt it so grand, I was quite inclined to sit down and cry like a child. The waves were beating up wildly, and all around me spoke of a great God. I've never been so touched before; I can't think why it was; for an old tar should have a strong heart and a steady hand."

"I love you all the more for having a soft heart, grandfather. I dare say you were filled with wonder and thankfulness that the God who made the beautiful rocks was a loving Father, and cared for you above all the great things He has made."

"No, that's not it, exactly, little one. I fancy I know why I felt so sad. You'll know, too, if you live to be old. I sometimes ache for my clearance to come, and long to get my sailing orders; and when I witness such beautiful sights as I saw to-day, I want to take my departure to the land beyond Jordan."

"Do you think Heaven will be very beautiful, grandfather?" asked Dorothy.

"Yes, child; it must be more beautiful than anything that we can imagine. I try to picture to myself what the beloved disciple saw; but oh, children, I can't, and so the old tar will wait on patiently, knowing that—

"'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.'"

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