"Mates, that was a cold, dark night, and the wind howled outside, the fire was all but out, and the candle flickered about with the draught. I tell you I felt bad, for her words did seem so full of meaning, her eyes almost looked me through. "'John, if He's here, He can save our Meg. John dear, won't you ask Him? Won't you pray?' "'Alice, I can't; I don't know how.' "'Husband, look at the darling; think of her--of her! John, try. Oh, John, try!'" The whole group of navvies gathered round him here with open eyes and strained ears, watching eagerly for what was coming. "I don't know what voice whispered back her words like an echo; but I heard, and fell upon my knees crying to the Lord--if He was there--to have mercy on my sinful soul, and to heal our little lamb. Oh, mates, how I did cry, to be sure! and how I did hope it might be true that He was there! for I felt sure, if He was, He would help us--the old story I had learned years before and forgotten so long--the story of His cruel death, seemed to rise like a strange bright picture in the awful stillness of that room: how He died for _sinners_, that such might be brought back to God--this broke down my hardened heart. Just then, whilst I was on my knees, and the tears of penitence were on my cheeks, Meg, dear little Meg, opened her eyes once more. 'Oh, father, I have had such a beautiful dream,' she said; 'the Lord whom mammy loves has come, and called to such a lovely house your poor tired Meg. Father, take care of dear mammy!' "The little eyes grew more weary, closed at last, and with one long sigh Meg was gone to the lovely home." The rough men were touched indeed as he stopped to gasp down his emotion. "Lads, the mother went before long, clinging to the Lord whom Meg saw, resting on His word as she passed through the Valley of the Shadow into the Light beyond. The old place was too full of sorrow for me; so I wandered on till I got to this place; and if I'm quiet, it is because I think of them. Ever as I work the sense of His presence is with me; their dying words are in my ears. Oh! mates, take my story home to your hearts--home to your wives and little ones, and with them seek the Saviour, whose love so strangely made me turn from evil unto God." Not a word had interrupted him all through; but now Sam's voice was heard but little above a whisper, "Mate, we want the song." John cleared his voice a little, and, as the men hushed down again, sang:-- "I stay a little while below; The changing seasons come and go, But Christ my joy heals every woe, In Him I live and fear no foe. "The night is dark and sad to me, But even in the gloom I see My Saviour bright who died to free My soul from misery. "Though He has taken those above Who once have cheered me with their love, Clad in the robe His hands have wove, They safely rest, where'er I rove.