Christie, the King's Servant: A Sequel to "Christie's Old Organ"Walton, O. F., Mrs.
Religion
Christie, the King's Servant: A Sequel to "Christie's Old Organ"
Walton, O. F., Mrs.
Christian life -- Juvenile fiction; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
'Pull, daddy, pull!' I heard him cry; and I think I was nearly as
pleased as he and Polly were when Duncan and the mates on his side
suddenly made one mighty effort, and the handkerchief was drawn across
the line. There was tremendous cheering after this. Polly clapped her
hands with delight, and little Jack and big Jack nearly shouted
themselves hoarse.
It was an interesting sight, and I had reason to remember it afterwards,
as you will see. The evening concert went off as well as the sports had
done, and Duncan came in at night rather tired, but well satisfied with
the day's proceedings.
I enjoyed all the sights at Runswick Bay, but I think I was particularly
charmed with what happened on the day after the sports. All the village
was early astir, and as I was dressing, it seemed to me that every
fisherman in the place was hurrying down to the beach. It was not long
before I followed them to see what they were doing. I found that they
were about to draw the crab-boats up from the shore, to a place where
they would be safe from the winter storms. It was hard work, but every
one was there to give a hand. A long string of men and lads laid hold of
the strong cable fastened to the boat. Even the wives and elder children
caught hold of it. I myself went to their help, and several of the
visitors followed my example. Then, when we were all in position, there
came a pause, for Duncan, who was directing the proceedings, charged us
not to pull till the signal was given. Then there rose a peculiar cry or
yodel, all the fishermen uttering it together, and as soon as it ceased
we gave our united, mighty pull. Then we paused to take breath, until
once more there came a yodel followed by another pull, and as this was
repeated again and again, it was grand to see the heavy boat making
steady and regular progress. Across the heavy sand she came, up the low
bank, over the rough grass, slowly, steadily, surely, she moved onward,
until at length she was placed in safety, far out of reach of the
highest tide and the strongest sea. Thus, one after another, the boats
were drawn up, and we were fairly tired before our work was done.
I think it must have been that very day, that, as I was sitting
painting, I once more heard the broken notes of the instrument which had
troubled me so much before. It was that tune again, my mother's tune,
and somehow, I do not know how it was, with the sound of my mother's
tune there came back to my mind the remembrance of the Sunday service.
Ah! my mother was on the right side of the line, I said to myself; she
was a servant of Christ. But her son! what is he?
I did not want to follow out this subject, so I jumped up from my
camp-stool, and standing under the wall, I called, 'Little Jack, little
Jack.'
The music stopped at once, and the child came out. Dear, little merry
fellow, how fond I was of him already!
'Yes, Mr. big Jack,' he said, as he ran out of the gate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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