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Title:SavedatSea
ALighthouseStory

Author:Mrs.O.F.Walton

ReleaseDate:January28,2004[EBook#10849]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

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SAVEDATSEA
ALighthouseStory

BYMRSO.F.WALTON

AUTHOROF'CHRISTIE'SOLDORGAN'
'APEEPBEHINDTHESCENES'
'LITTLEDOT'ETC.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I.MYSTRANGEHOME
II.THEFLAREATSEA
III.THEBUNDLESAVED
IV.LITTLETIMPEY
V.THEUNCLAIMEDSUNBEAM
VI.THEOLDGENTLEMAN'SQUESTION
VII.ATHICKFOG
VIII.WAITINGFORTHEBOAT
IX.ACHANGEINTHELIGHTHOUSE
X.OURNEWNEIGHBOUR
XI.ONTHEROCK
XII.THESUNBEAMCLAIMED


CHAPTERI.
MYSTRANGEHOME.

Itwasastrangeday,thedaythatIwasborn.Thewaveswerebeatingagainstthe
lighthouse,andthewindwasroaringandragingagainsteverything.Hadnotthe
lighthousebeenbuiltveryfirmlyintothestrongsolidrock,it,andallwithinit,
musthavebeensweptintothedeepwildsea.
Itwasaterriblestorm.Mygrandfathersaidhehadneverknownsuchastorm
sincehecametoliveontheisland,morethanfortyyearsbefore.
Manyshipswentdowninthestormthatday,andmanyliveswerelost.Butin
theverymidstofit,whenthewindwashighest,andthewaveswerestrongest,and
whenthefoamandthesprayhadcompletelycoveredthelighthousewindows,I,
AlickFergusson,wasborn.
Iwasbornonastrangeday,andIwasbornintoastrangehome.Thelighthouse
stoodonanisland,fourmilesdistantfromanyland.Theislandwasnotverylarge;
ifyoustoodinthemiddleofit,youcouldseetheseaallroundyouthatsea
whichwassometimessoblueandpeaceful,andatothertimeswasasblackasink,
androaringandthunderingontherockyshoresofthelittleisland.Atonesideof
theisland,onasteeprockoverhangingthesea,stoodthelighthouse.Nightby
nightassoonasitbegantogrowdarkthelighthouselampswerelighted.
IcanrememberhowIusedtoadmirethoselightsasachild.Iwouldsitfor
hourswatchingthemrevolveandchangeincolour.First,therewasawhitelight,
thenablueone,thenaredone,thenagreenonethenawhiteoneagain.And,as
theshipswentby,theyalwayskeptalookoutforourfriendlylights,andavoided
therocksofwhichtheywarnedthem.
Mygrandfather,oldSandyFergusson,wasoneofthelighthousemen,whose
dutyitwasalwaystokeeptheselampsinorderandtolightthemeverynight.He
wasaclever,activeoldman,anddidhisworkwellandcheerfully.Hisgreatdesire
wastobeabletoholdonathisposttillIshouldbeabletotakehisplace.
At the timewhen mystorybeginsIwasnearlytwelveyearsold, and daily
growingtallerandstronger.Mygrandfatherwasveryproudofme,andsaidI
shouldsoonbeayoungman,andthenheshouldgetmeappointedinhisplaceto
lookafterthelighthouse.
Iwasveryfondofmystrangehome,andwouldnothavechangeditforany
other.Manypeoplewouldhavethoughtitdull,forweseldomsawastrangeface,
andthelighthousemenwereonlyallowedtogoonshoreforafewhoursoncein
everytwomonths.ButIwasveryhappy,andthoughttherewasnoplaceinthe
worldlikeourlittleisland.
Close to the tower of the lighthouse was the house in which I and my
grandfatherlived.Itwasnotalargehouse,butitwasaverypleasantone.Allthe
windowslookedoutoverthesea,andplentyofsharpseaaircameinwhenever
theywereopened.Allthefurnitureinthehousebelongedtothelighthouse,and
had been there long before my grandfather came to live there. Our cups and
saucersandplateshadthenameofthelighthouseontheminlargegiltletters,and
alittlepictureofthelighthousewiththewavesdashingroundit.Iusedtothink
themveryprettywhenIwasaboy.
Wehadnotmanyneighbours.Therewasonlyoneotherhouseontheisland,and
itwasbuiltontheothersideofthelighthousetower.ThehousebelongedtoMr.
Millar,whosharedthecareofthelighthousewithmygrandfather.Justoutsidethe
twohouseswasacourt,withapumpinthemiddle,fromwhichwegotourwater.
Therewasahighwallallroundthiscourt,tomakealittleshelterforusfromthe
stormywind.
Beyondthiscourtweretwogardens,dividedbyanironrailing.TheMillars'
garden was very untidy and forlorn, and filled with nettles, and thistles, and
groundsel,andallkindsofweeds,forMr.Millardidnotcareforgardening,and
Mrs.Millarhadsixlittlechildren,andhadnotimetolookafterit.
Butourgardenwastheadmirationofeveryonewhovisitedtheisland.My
grandfatherandIwereatworkiniteveryfineday,andtookaprideinkeepingit
asneataspossible.Althoughitwassonearthesea,ourgardenproducedmost
beautifulvegetablesandfruit,andtheborderswerefilledwithflowers,cabbage
roses,andpansies,andwallflowers,andmanyotherhardyplantswhichwerenot
afraidoftheseaair.
Outsidethegardenwasagoodsizedfieldfullofsmallhillocks,overwhich
the wild rabbits and hares, with which the island abounded, were continually
scampering.Inthisfieldwerekeptacowandtwogoats,tosupplythetwofamilies
withmilkandbutter.Beyonditwastherockyshore,andalittlepierbuiltoutinto
thesea.
OnthispierIusedtostandeveryMondaymorning,towatchforthesteamer
whichcalledattheislandonceaweek.Itwasagreateventtouswhenthesteamer
came.MygrandfatherandI,andMr.andMrs.Millarandthechildren,allcame
downtotheshoretowelcomeit.Thissteamerbroughtourprovisionsfortheweek,
from a town some miles off, and often brought a letter for Mr. Millar, or a
newspaperformygrandfather.
Mygrandfatherdidnotgetmanyletters,fortherewerenotmanypeoplethathe
knew.Hehadlivedonthatlonelyislandthegreaterpartofhislife,andhadbeen
quiteshutoutfromtheworld.Allhisrelationsweredeadnow,exceptmyfather,
andwhathadbecomeofhimwedidnotknow.Ihadneverseenhim,forhewent
awaysometimebeforeIwasborn.
Myfatherwasasailor,afine,tall,strongyoungfellow,mygrandfatherusedto
say.Hehadbroughtmymothertotheisland,andleftherinmygrandfather'scare
whilsthewentonavoyagetoAustralia.Hewentfromtheislandinthatsamelittle
steamerwhichcalledeveryMondaymorning.Mygrandfatherstoodontheendof
thepierasthesteamerwentoutofsight,andmymotherwavedherhandkerchief
tohimaslongasanysmokewasseenonthehorizon.Grandfatherhasoftentold
me how young and pretty she looked that summer morning. My father had
promisedtowritesoon,butnoletterevercame.Motherwentdowntothepier
everyMondaymorningforthreelongyears,toseeifithadbroughtheranyword
fromhersailorhusband.
Butafteratimeherstepbecameslowerandherfacepaler,andatlastshewas
tooweaktogodowntherockstothepier,whenthesteamerarrivedonMonday
morning.AndsoonafterthisIwasleftmotherless.
Fromthatday,thedayonwhichmymotherdied,mygrandfatherbecameboth
fatherandmothertome.Therewasnothinghewouldnothavedoneforme,and
whereverhewentandwhateverhedid,Iwasalwaysbyhisside.
AsIgrewolder,hetaughtmetoreadandwrite,fortherewasofcourseno
schoolwhichIcouldattend.Ialsolearnttohelphimtotrimthelamps,andto
workinthegarden.Ourlifewentonveryevenlyfromdaytoday,untilIwas
about twelve years old. I used to wish sometimes that something new would
happentomakealittlechangeontheisland.Andatlastachangecame.

CHAPTERII.
THEFLAREATSEA.

MygrandfatherandIweresittingatteaonedarkNovemberevening.Wehad
beendigginginthegardenthewholemorning,butintheafternoonithadbecome
sowetandstormythatwehadremainedindoors.
 Weweresittingquietlyatourtea,planningwhatwewoulddothenextday,
whenthedoorsuddenlyopenedandMr.Millarputhisheadin.
'Sandy,quick!'hesaid.'Lookhere!'MygrandfatherandIrantothedoor,and
lookedoutoverthesea.There,aboutthreemilestothenorthofus,wesawa
brightflareoflight.Itblazedupforamomentortwo,lightingupthewildand
stormysky,andthenitwentout,andallwasdarknessagain.
'Whatisit,grandfather?'Iasked.Buthedidnotanswerme.
'There'snotimetolose,Jem,'hesaid;"outwiththeboat,myman!"
'It'sanawfulsea,'saidMillar,lookingatthewavesbeatingfiercelyagainstthe
rocks.
'Nevermind,Jem,'saidmygrandfather;'wemustdoourbest.'Sothetwomen
wentdowntotheshore,andIfollowedthem.
'Whatisit,grandfather?'Iaskedagain.
'There'ssomethingwrongoutthere,'saidhe,pointingtotheplacewherewehad
seenthelight.'That'stheflaretheyalwaysmakewhenthey'reindangerandwant
helpatonce.'
'Areyougoingtothem,grandfather?'Isaid.
'Yes,ifwecangettheboatout,'hesaid.'Now,Jem,areyouready?'
'Letmegowithyou,grandfather,'Isaid;'Imightbeabletohelp.'
'Allright,mylad,'hesaid;'we'lltryifwecangetheroff.'
Icanseethatscenewithmymind'seyeasthoughitwerebutyesterday.My
grandfatherandMr.Millarstrainingeverynervetorowtheboatfromland,whilst
Iclungontooneoftheseats,andtriedinvaintosteerher.IcanseepoorMrs.
Millarstandingonthepier,withhershawloverherhead,watchingus,andtwoof
herlittlegirlsclingingtoherdress.Icanseethewaves,whichseemedtoberising
highereverymoment,andreadytobeatourlittleboattopieces.AndIcanseemy
grandfather'sdisappointedface,as,aftermanyafruitlessattempt,hewasobliged
togiveitup.
'It'snouse,I'mafraid,Jem,'hesaidatlast;'wehaven'thandsenoughtomanage
her.'
Sowegottoshoreasbestwecould,andpacedupanddownthelittlepier.We
couldseenothingmore.Itwasaverydarknight,andallwasperfectblackness
overthesea.
 Thelighthouselampswereburningbrightly;theyhadbeenlightedmorethan
twohoursbefore.ItwasMillar'sturntowatch,sohewentuptothetower,andmy
grandfatherandIremainedonthepier.
'Cannothingbedone,grandfather?'
'I'mafraidnot,mylad.Wecan'tmakeanywayagainstsuchaseaasthis;ifit
goesdownabit,we'llhaveanothertryatit.'
Buttheseadidnotgodown.Wewalkedupanddownthepieralmostinsilence.
Presentlyarocketshotupintothesky,evidentlyfromthesameplacewherewe
hadseentheflare.
'Theresheisagain,Alick!Poorthings!Iwonderhowmanyofthemthereis.'
'Canwedonothingatall?'Iaskedagain.
'No,mylad,'hesaid;'thesea'stoomuchforus.It'saterriblenight.Itputsmein
mindofthedayyouwereborn.'
Sothenightworeaway.Weneverthoughtofgoingtobed,butwalkedupand
downthepier,withoureyesfixedontheplacewherewehadseenthelights.
Everynowandthen,forsomehours,rocketsweresentup;andthentheyceased,
andwesawnothing.
'They'vegotnomorewiththem,'saidmygrandfather.'Poorthings!it'saterrible
badjob.'
'What'swrongwiththem,grandfather?'Iasked.'Arethererocksoverthere?'
'Yes,there'stheAinslieCragjustthere;it'sanastyplacethataverynasty
place.Manyafineshiphasbeenlostthere!'
Atlastthedaybegantodawn;afaintgreylightspreadoverthesea.Wecould
distinguishnowthemastsofashipinthefardistance.'Theresheis,poorthing!'
saidmygrandfather,pointinginthedirectionoftheship.'She'scloseonAinslie
CragIthoughtso!'
'Thewind'sgonedownabitnow,hasn'tit?'Iasked.
'Yes,andthesea'sabitstillerjustnow,'hesaid.'GiveJemacall,Alick.'
JemMillarhasteneddowntothepierwithhisarmsfullofrope.
'All right, Jem, my lad,' said my grandfather. 'Let's be off; I think we may
manageitnow.'
 Sowejumpedintotheboat,andputofffromthepier.Itwasafearfulstruggle
withthewindandwaves,andforalongtimeweseemedtomakenowayagainst
them.Boththemenweremuchexhausted,andJemMillarseemedreadytogive
in.
'Cheerup,Jem,mylad,'saidmygrandfather;'thinkofallthepoorfellowsout
there.Let'shaveonemoretry!'
Sotheymadeamightyeffort,andthepierwasleftalittlewaybehind.Slowly,
veryslowly,wemadethatdistancegreater;slowly,veryslowly,Mrs.Millar,who
wasstandingontheshore,fadedfromoursight,andthemastsoftheshipin
distress seemed to grow a little more near. Yet the waves were still fearfully
strong,andappearedready,everymoment,toswallowupourlittleboat.Would
mygrandfatherandMillareverbeabletoholdontilltheyreachedtheship,which
wasstillmorethantwomilesaway?
'What'sthat?'Icried,asIcaughtsightofadarkobject,risingandfallingwith
thewaves.
'It'saboat,surely!'saidmygrandfather'Look,Jem!
CHAPTERIII.
THEBUNDLESAVED.

ItwasaboatofwhichIhadcaughtsightaboatbottomupwards.Aminute
afterwardsitsweptclosepastus,sonearthatwecouldalmosttouchit.
'They'velosttheirboat.Pullaway,Jem!'
'Oh,grandfather!'Isaid,andthewindwassohigh,Icouldonlymakehimhear
byshouting,'grandfather,doyouthinktheboatwasfull?'
'No,'hesaid.'Ithinkthey'vetriedtoputheroff,andshe'sbeensweptaway.
Keepup,Jem!'ForJemMillar,whowasnotastrongman,seemedreadytogive
in.
Wewerenowconsiderablymorethanhalfwaybetweentheboatandtheship.It
seemedasifthoseonboardhadcaughtsightofus,foranotherrocketwentup.
Theyhadevidentlykeptoneback,asalasthope,incaseanyoneshouldpassby.
As we drew nearer, we could see that it was a large ship, and we could
distinguishmanyformsmovingaboutondeck.
'Poorfellows!poorfellows!'saidmygrandfather.'Pullaway,Jem!'
Nearerandnearerwecametotheship,tillatlengthwecouldseeherquite
distinctly.ShehadstruckonAinslieCrag,andhersternwasunderwater,andthe
waveswerebeatingwildlyonherdeck.Wecouldseemenclingingtotherigging
whichremained,andholdingontothebrokenmastsoftheship.
Ishallneverforgetthatsighttomydyingday!MygrandfatherandJemMillar
sawit,andtheypulledondesperately.
Andnowweweresoneartothevesselthathaditnotbeenforthestormwhich
wasraging,wecouldhavespokentothoseonboard.Againandagainwetriedto
comealongsidetheshatteredship,butweresweptawaybytherushofthestrong,
resistlesswaves.
Severalofthesailorscametothesideoftheship,andthrewoutaropetous.It
waslongbeforewecouldcatchit,butatlast,aswewerebeingcarriedpastit,I
clutchedit,andmygrandfatherimmediatelymadeitsecure.
'Now!'hecried.'Steady,Jem!weshallsavesomeofthemyet!'andhepulledthe
boatasnearaspossibletotheship.
Oh!howmyheartbeatthatmoment,asIlookedatthemenandwomenall
crowdingtowardstheplacewheretheropewasfastened.
'Wecan'ttakethemall,'saidmygrandfatheranxiously;'wemustcuttherope
whenwe'vegotasmanyastheboatwillcarry.'
Ishuddered,asIthoughtofthosewhowouldbeleftbehind.
Wehadnowcomesoclosetotheshipthatthemenonboardwouldbeableto
watchtheiropportunity,andjumpintotheboatwheneveragreatwavewaspast,
andtherewasalullforamomentinthestorm.
'Lookout,Jem!'criedmygrandfather.'Here'sthefirst'
Amanwasstandingbytherope,withwhatappearedtobeabundleinhisarms.
The moment we came near, he seized his opportunity and threw it to us. My
grandfathercaughtit.
'It'sachild,Alick!'hesaid;'putitdownbyyou.'
Iputthebundleatmyfeet,andmygrandfathercried,'Nowanother;quick,my
lads!'
ButatthismomentJemMillarseizedhisarm.'Sandy!lookout!'healmost
shrieked.
Mygrandfatherturnedround.Amightywave,biggerthananyIhadseenbefore,
wascomingtowardsus.Inanothermomentweshouldhavebeendashedbyits
violenceagainsttheship,andallhaveperished.
 Mygrandfatherhastilyletgotherope,andwejustgotoutofthewayoftheship
beforethewavereachedus.Andthencameanoise,loudasaterriblethunderclap,
as the mighty wave dashed against Ainslie Crag. I could hardly breathe, so
dreadfulwasthemoment!
'Nowbackagainforsomemore!'criedmygrandfather,whenthewavehad
passed.
Welookedround,buttheshipwasgone!Ithaddisappearedlikeadreamwhen
oneawakes,asifithadneverbeen.Thatmightywavehadbrokenitsback,and
shattereditintoathousandfragments.Nothingwastobeseenoftheshiporits
crewbutafewfloatingpiecesoftimber.
MygrandfatherandMillarpulledhastilytothespot,butitwassometimebefore
wecouldreachit,forwehadbeencarriedbytheseaalmostamileaway,andthe
stormseemedtobeincreasinginviolence.
WhenatlastwereachedthatterribleAinslieCrag,weweretoolatetosavea
singlelife;wecouldnotfindoneofthoseonboard.Thegreaternumbernodoubt
hadbeencarrieddowninthevortexmadebythesinkingship,andtheresthad
risenandsunkagainlongbeforewereachedthem.
Forsometimewebattledwiththewaves,unwillingtorelinquishallhopeof
savingsomeofthem.Butwefoundatlastthatitwasofnouse,andwewere
obligedtoreturn.
Allhadperished,exceptthechildlyingatmyfeet.Istoopeddowntoit,and
couldhearthatitwascrying,butitwassotightlytiedupinablanketthatIcould
notseeitnorreleaseit.
Wehadtostraineverynervetoreachthelighthouse.Itwasnotsohardreturning
asgoing,forthewindwasinourfavour,buttheseawasstillstrong,andwewere
ofteningreatdanger.Ikeptmyeyesfixedonthelighthouselamps,andsteeredthe
boatasstraightasIcould.Oh!howthankfulweweretoseethosefriendlylights
growingnearer.Andatlastthepiercameinsight,andMrs.Millarstillstanding
therewatchingus.
'Haveyougotnoneofthem?'shesaid,aswecameupthesteps.
'Nothingbutachild,'saidmygrandfathersadly.'Onlyonesmallchild,that'sall.
Well,wedidourverybest,Jem,mylad.'
Jemwasfollowingmygrandfather,withtheoarsoverhisshoulder.Icamelast,
withthatlittlebundleinmyarms.
 Thechildhadstoppedcryingnow,andseemedtobeasleep,itwassostill.Mrs.
Millarwantedtotakeitfromme,andtoundotheblanket,butmygrandfathersaid
'Bideyourtime,Mary;bringthechildintothehouse,mylass;it'sbittercoldout
here.'
Soweallwentupthroughthefield,andthroughourgardenandthecourt.The
blanketwastightlyfastenedroundthechild,exceptatthetop,whereroomhad
beenleftforittobreathe,andIcouldjustseealittlenoseandtwoclosedeyes,asI
peepedinattheopening.
Thebundlewasagoodweight,andbeforeIreachedthehouseIwasgladof
Mrs.Millar'shelptocarryit.Wecameintoourlittlekitchen,andMrs.Millartook
thechildonherkneeandunfastenedtheblanket.
'Blessher,'shesaid,ashertearsfellfast,'it'salittlegirl!'
'Ay,'saidmygrandfather,'soitis;it'sabonnieweelassie!'

CHAPTERIV.
LITTLETIMPEY.

IdonotthinkIhaveeverseenaprettierfacethanthatchild's.Shehadlight
brownhair,androundrosycheeks,andthebluestofblueeyes.
Sheawokeaswewerelookingather,andseeingherselfamongststrangers,she
criedbitterly.
'Poorlittlething!'saidMrs.Millar.'Shewantshermother.'
'Mamma!Mama!'criedthelittlegirl,asshecaughttheword.
Mrs.Millarfairlybrokedownatthis,andsobbedandcriedasmuchasthechild.
'Come,mylass,'saidherhusband,'cheerup!Thee'llmakeherworse,ifthee
takesonso.'
ButMrs.Millarcoulddonothingbutcry.'JustthinkifitwasourPolly!'wasall
thatshecouldsay.'Oh,Jem,justthinkifitwasourPollythatwascallingforme!'
Mygrandfathertookthechildfromher,andputheronmyknee.'Now,Mary,'
hesaid,'getusabitoffireandsomethingtoeat,there'sagoodwoman!Thechild's
coldandhungered,andwe'remuchaboutthesameourselves.'
Mrs.Millarbustledaboutthehouse,andsoonlightedablazingfire;thensheran
innextdoortoseeifherchildren,whomshehadleftwithalittleservantgirl,were
allright,andshebroughtbackwithhersomecoldmeatforourbreakfast.
 Isatdownonastoolbeforethefire,withthechildonmyknee.Sheseemedto
beabouttwoyearsold,astrong,healthylittlething.Shehadstoppedcryingnow,
anddidnotseemtobeafraidofme;butwheneveranyoftheotherscamenearshe
hidherfaceinmyshoulder.
Mrs.Millarbroughtherabasinofbreadandmilk,andsheletmefeedher.
Sheseemedverywearyandsleepy,asifshecouldhardlykeephereyesopen.
'Poorweelassie!'saidmygrandfather;'Iexpecttheypulledheroutofherbedto
bringherondeck.Won'tyouputhertobed?'
'Yes,'saidMrs.Millar,'I'llputherinourPolly'sbed;she'llsleeptherequite
nice,shewill.'
Butthechildclungtome,andcriedsoloudlywhenMrs.Millartriedtotakeher,
thatmygrandfathersaid,
'Iwouldn'ttakeheraway,poormotherlesslamb;shetakeskindlytoAlick;let
herbidehere.'
Sowemadeupalittlebedforheronthesofa;andMrs.Millarbroughtoneof
littlePolly'snightgowns,andundressedandwashedher,andputhertobed.
Thechildwasstillveryshyofallofthembutme.Sheseemedtohavetakento
mefromthefirst,andwhenshewasputintoherlittlebedsheheldouthertiny
handtome,andsaid,'Handie,Timpey'shandie.'
'Whatdoesshesay?blessher!'saidMrs.Millar,foritwasalmostthefirsttime
thatthechildhadspoken.
'Shewantsmetoholdherlittlehand,'Isaid,'Timpey'slittlehand.Timpeymust
behername!'
'Ineverheardofsuchaname,'saidMrs.Millar.'Timpey,didyousay?Whatdo
theycallyou,darling?'shesaidtothechild.
Butthelittleblueeyeswereclosingwearily,andverysoonthechildwasasleep.
IstillheldthattinyhandinmineasIsatbesideher;Iwasafraidofwakingherby
puttingitdown.
'Iwonderwhosheis,'saidMrs.Millar,inawhisper,asshefoldedupherlittle
clothes.'Shehasbeautifulthingson,tobesure!Shehasbeenwelltakencareof,
anyhow!Stop,here'ssomethingwrittenonthelittlepetticoat;canyoumakeitout,
Alick?'
I laid down the little hand very carefully, and took the tinypetticoat to the
window.
 'Yes,'Isaid,'thiswillbehername.Here'sVillierswrittenonit.
'Dearme!'saidMrs.Millar.'Yes,thatwillbehername.Dearme,dearme;to
thinkofherpoorfatherandmotheratthebottomofthatdreadfulsea!Justthinkif
itwasourPolly!'AndthenMrs.Millarcriedsomuchagainthatshewasobligedto
gohomeandfinishhercrywithherlittlePollyclaspedtightlyinherarms.
Mygrandfatherwasverywornoutwithallhehaddoneduringthenight,and
wentupstairstobed.Isatwatchingthelittlesleepingchild.IfeltasifIcouldnot
leaveher.
Shesleptveryquietlyandpeacefully.Poorlittlepet!howlittlesheknowswhat
hashappened,Ithought;andmytearscamefast,andfellonthelittlefathand
whichwaslyingonthepillow.ButafterafewminutesIleanedmyheadagainst
thesofa,andfellfastasleep.Ihadhadnosleepthenightbefore,andwasquite
wornout.
Iwasawakened,somehoursafter,bysomeonepullingmyhair,andalittle
voicecallinginmyear,'Up!up,boy!up!up!'
Ilookedup,andsawalittleroguishfacelookingatmethemerriest,brightest
littlefaceyoucanimagine.
'Up,up,boy,please!'shesaidagain,inacoaxingvoice.
SoIliftedupmyhead,andsheclimbedoutofherlittlebedonthesofaontomy
knee.
'Putshoeson,boy,'shesaid,holdingoutherlittlebaretoes.
Iputonhershoesandstockings,andthenMrs.Millarcameinanddressedher.
Itwasalovelyafternoon;thestormhadceasedwhilstwehadbeenasleep,and
thesunwasshiningbrightly.Igotthedinnerready,andthechildwatchedme,and
ranbackwardsandforwards,upanddownthekitchen.Sheseemedquiteathome
nowandveryhappy.
Mygrandfatherwasstillasleep,soIdidnotwakehim.Mrs.Millarbroughtin
somebrothshehadmadeforthechild,andwedinedtogether.Iwantedtofeed
her,asIhaddonethenightbefore,butshesaid,
'Timpeyhave'poon,please!'andtookthespoonfromme,andfedherselfso
prettily,Icouldnothelpwatchingher.
'Godblessher,poorlittlething!'saidMrs.Millar.
'Godbless'ou,'saidthechild.Thewordswereevidentlyfamiliartoher.
 'Shemusthaveheardhermothersayso,'saidMrs.Millar,inachokingvoice.
Whenwehadfinisheddinner,thechildslippeddownfromherstool,andranto
thesofa.Hereshefoundmygrandfather'shat,whichsheputonherhead,andmy
scarf,whichshehungroundherneck.Thenshemarchedtothedoor,andsaid,
'Tatta,tatta;Timpeygotatta.'
'Takeheroutabit,Alick,'saidMrs.Millar.'Stopaminute,though;I'llfetchher
Polly'shood.'So,tohergreatdelight,wedressedherinPolly'shood,andputa
warmshawlroundher,andItookherout.
Oh!howsheran,andjumped,andplayedinthegarden.Ineversawsucha
merrylittlething.Nowshewaspickingupstones,nowshewasgatheringdaisies
('daydays,shecalledthem),nowshewasrunningdownthepathandcallingtome
tocatchher.Shewasneverstillasingleinstant!

Buteverynowandthen,asIwasplayingwithher,Ilookedacrosstheseato
AinslieCrag.Theseahadnotgonedownmuch,thoughthewindhadceased,andI
sawthewavesstilldashingwildlyupontherocks.
AndIthoughtofwhatlaybeneaththem,oftheshatteredship,andofthechild's
mother.Oh!ifsheonlyknew,Ithought,asIlistenedtohermerrylaugh,which
madememorereadytocrythanhertearshaddone.

CHAPTERV.
THEUNCLAIMEDSUNBEAM.

MygrandfatherandJemMillarweresittingoverthefireinthelittlewatchroom
inthelighthousetower,andIsatbesidethemwiththechildonmyknee.Ihad
foundanoldpicturebookforher,andshewasturningovertheleaves,andmaking
herfunnylittleremarksonthepictures.
'Well,Sandy,'saidMillar,'whatshallwedowithher?'
'Dowithher?'saidmygrandfatherstrokingherlittlefairhead.'We'llkeepher!
Won'twe,littlelassie?'
'Yes,'saidthechild,lookingupandnoddingherhead,asifsheunderstoodall
aboutit.
'Weoughttolookupsomeofherrelations,itseemstome,'saidJem.'She'ssure
tohavesome,somewhere.'
 'Andhowarewetofindthemout?'askedmygrandfather.
'Oh,thecaptaincansoonmakeoutforuswhatshipismissing,andwecansend
alinetotheowners;they'llknowwhothepassengerswas.'
'Well,'saidmygrandfather,'maybeyou'reright,Jem;we'llseewhattheysay.
But,formypart,ifthemthatcaresforthechildisatthebottomofthatsea,Ihope
nooneelsewillcomeandtakeherawayfromus.'
'IfIhadn'tsomanyofthemathome'beganMillar.
'Ohyes,mylad,Iknowthat,'saidmygrandfather,interruptinghim;'butthy
houseisfullenoughalready.LettheweelassiecometoAlickandme.She'llbea
nicelittlebitofcompanyforus;andMarywillseetoherclothesandsuchlike,I
know.'
'Yes,thatshewill,'saidherhusband.'Idodeclareshehasbeencryingaboutthat
childthebestpartoftheday!Shehasindeed!'
MygrandfatherfollowedJem'sadvice,andtoldCaptainSayers,whenhecame
inthesteamerthenextMonday,thewholestoryoftheshipwreck,andaskedhim
tofindoutforhimthenameandaddressoftheownersofthevessel.
Oh,howIhopedthatnoonewouldcometoclaimmylittledarling.Shebecame
dearertomeeveryday,andIfeltasifitwouldbreakmyhearttopartwithher.
Everynight,whenMrs.Millarhadundressedher,shekneltbesidemeinherlittle
whitenightgownto'talktoGod,'asshecalledpraying.Shehadevidentlylearnta
littleprayerfromhermother,forthefirstnightshebeganofherownaccord
'Jesus,Eppy,hearme.'
Icouldnotthinkatfirstwhatitwasthatshewassaying;butMrs.Millarsaidshe
hadlearntthehymnwhenshewasalittlegirl,andshewroteoutthefirstversefor
me.AndeverynightafterwardsIletthechildrepeatitafterme,
'Jesus,tenderShepherd,hearme,
BlessThylittlelambtonight,
ThroughthedarknessbeThounearme,
Keepmesafetillmorninglight.'
IthoughtIshouldlikeheralwaystosaytheprayerhermotherhadtaughther.I
never prayed myselfmy grandfather had never taught me. I wondered if my
motherwouldhavetaughtmeifshehadlived.Ithoughtshewould.
IknewverylittleinthosedaysoftheBible.Mygrandfatherdidnotcareforit,
andneverreadit.HehadalargeBible,butitwasalwayslaidonthetopofthe
chestofdrawers,asakindofornament;andunlessItookitdowntolookatthe
curiousoldpicturesinside,itwasneveropened.
Sundayontheislandwasjustthesameasanyotherday.Mygrandfatherworked
inthegarden,orreadthenewspaper,justthesameasusual,andIrambledabout
therocks,ordidmylessons,orworkedinthehouse,asIdideveryotherdayinthe
week.Wehadnochurchorchapeltogoto,andnothinghappenedtomarktheday.
Ioftenthinknowofthatdreadfulmorningwhenwewentacrossthestormysea
tothatsinkingship.Ifourboathadcapsizedthen,ifwehadbeenlost,whatwould
have become of our souls? It is a very solemn thought, and I cannot be too
thankfultoGodforsparingusbothalittlelonger.Mygrandfatherwasakind
hearted,goodtempered,honestoldman;butIknownowthatthatisnotenoughto
openthedoorofheaven.Jesusistheonlywaythere,andmygrandfatherknew
littleof,andcarednothingfor,Him.
LittleTimpeybecamemyconstantcompanion,indoorsandoutofdoors.She
wasrathershyofthelittleMillars,fortheywerenoisyandroughintheirplay,but
sheclungtome,andneverwantedtoleaveme.Daybydayshelearntnewwords,
andcameoutwithsuchoddlittleremarksofherown,thatshemadeusalllaugh.
Hergreatpleasurewastogetholdofabook,andpickoutthedifferentlettersof
thealphabet,which,althoughshecouldhardlytalk,sheknewquiteperfectly.
Dearlittlepet!Icanseehernow,sittingatmyfeetonalargeflatrockbythe
seashore,andcallingmeeveryminutetolookatA,orB,orD,orS.Andsobyher
prettywaysshecreptintoallourhearts,andwequitedreadedtheanswercoming
tothelettermygrandfatherhadwrittentotheownersoftheVictory,which,we
found,wasthenameofthelostship.
Itwasaverywetday,theMondaythattheanswercame.Ihadbeenwaiting
sometimeonthepier,andwaswetthroughbeforethesteamerarrived.Captain
Sayers handed me the letter before anything else, and I ran up with it to my
grandfather at once. I could not wait until our provisions and supplies were
broughtonshore.
LittleTimpeywassittingonastoolatmygrandfather'sfeet,windingalong
pieceoftaperoundandroundherlittlefinger.SherantomeetmeasIcamein,
andheldupherfacetobekissed.
Whatifthislettershouldsayshewastoleaveus,andgobackbythesteamer!I
drewalongbreathasmygrandfatheropenedit.
Itwasaverycivilletterfromtheownersoftheship,thankingusforallwehad
donetosavetheunhappycrewandpassengers,butsayingtheyknewnothingof
thechildorherbelongings,asnooneofthenameofVilliershadtakenacabin,
andtherewasnosailoronboardofthatname.Buttheysaidtheywouldmake
furtherinquiriesinCalcutta,fromwhichportthevesselhadsailed.Meanwhile
theybeggedmygrandfathertotakechargeofthechild,andassuredhimheshould
behandsomelyrewardedforhistrouble.
'That'sright!'Isaid,whenhehadfinishedreadingit.'Thenshehasn'ttogoyet!'
'No,'saidmygrandfather;'poorweelassie!wecan'tspareheryet.Idon'twant
anyoftheirrewards,Alick,notI!That'srewardenoughforme,'hesaid,ashe
liftedupthechildtokisshiswrinkledforehead.
CHAPTERVI.
THEOLDGENTLEMAN'SQUESTION.

ThenextMondaymorningTimpeyandIwentdowntogethertothepier,to
awaitthearrivalofthesteamer.Shehadbroughtadollwithher,whichMrs.Millar
hadgivenher,andofwhichshewasveryproud.
CaptainSayerssentforme,assoonasthesteamercameuptothepier,totellme
thattwogentlemenhadcometoseemygrandfather.Iheldthechild'shandvery
tightlyinmine,forIhadfeltsuretheyhadcomeforher.
Thegentlemencameupthestepsaminuteortwoafterwards.Oneofthemwasa
middleagedman,withaverycleverface,Ithought.Hetoldmehehadcometo
seeMr.AlexanderFergusson,andaskedmeifIcoulddirecthimwhichwaytogo
tothehouse.
'Yes,sir,'Isaid;'Mr.Fergussonismygrandfather.'Sowewentuptowardsthe
lighthouse, Timpey and I walking first to lead the way, and the gentlemen
following. The other gentleman was quite old, and had white hair and gold
spectacles,andapleasant,kindlyface.
Timpeycouldnotwalkveryfast,andshekeptrunningfirsttoonesideandthen
toanother,togatherflowersorpickupstones,toItookherinmyarmsandcarried
her.
'Isthatyourlittlesister?'askedtheoldgentleman.
'No,sir,'Isaid;'thisisthelittlegirlwhowasonboardtheVictory!
'Dearme!dearme!'saidbothgentlemenatonce.'Letmelookather,'saidthe
oldman,arranginghisspectacles.
ButTimpeywasfrightened,andclungtome,andbegantocry.'Nevermind,
nevermind,'saidtheoldgentlemankindly;'we'llmakefriendswithoneanother
byandby.'
 By this time we had reached the house, and the middleaged gentleman
introducedhimselfasMr.SeptimusForster,oneoftheownersofthelostvessel,
andsaidthatheandhisfatherinlaw,Mr.Davis,hadcometohearallparticulars
thatmygrandfathercouldgivethemwithregardtotheshipwreck.
Mygrandfatherbeggedthemtositdown,andtoldmetopreparebreakfastfor
thematonce.Theywereverypleasantgentlemen,bothofthem,andwerevery
kindtomygrandfather.Mr.Forsterwantedtomakehimahandsomepresentfor
whathehaddone;butmygrandfatherwouldnottakeit.Theytalkedmuchoflittle
Timpey,andIkeptstoppingtolistenasIwassettingoutthecupsandsaucers.
Theyhadheardnothingmoreofherrelations;andtheysaiditwasaverystrange
thingthatnosuchnameasVillierswastobefoundonthelistofpassengerson
board.Theyofferedtotakeherawaywiththemtillsomerelationwasfound;but
mygrandfatherbeggedtokeepher.Thegentlemen,seeinghowhappyandwell
caredforthechildwas,gladlyconsented.
AfterbreakfastMr.Forstersaidheshouldliketoseethelighthouse,somy
grandfatherwentuptothetopofthetowerwithhim,andshowedhimwithgreat
prideallthatwastobeseenthere.OldMr.Daviswastired,andstayedbehindwith
littleTimpeyandme.
'Thisisastronghouse,mylad,'hesaid,whentheothershadgone.
'Yes,sir,'Isaid,'itoughttobestrong;thewindisfearfulheresometimes.'
'Whatsortofafoundationhasit?'saidtheoldman,tappingthefloorwithhis
stick.
'Oh,it'sallrock,sir,'Ianswered,'solidrock;ourhouseandthelighthousetower
areallbuiltintotherock;theywouldneverstandiftheyweren't'
'AndareyouontheRock,mylad?'saidMr.Davis,lookingatmethroughhis
spectacles.
'Ibegyourpardon,sir,'Isaid,forIthoughtIhadnotheardhimrightly.
'AreyouontheRock?'herepeated.
'Ontherock,sir?oh,yes,'Isaid,thinkinghecouldnothaveunderstoodwhatI
saidbefore.'Allthesebuildingsarebuiltintotherock,orthewindandseawould
carrythemaway.'
'Butyou,'saidtheoldgentlemanagain,'areyouontheRock?'
'Idon'tquiteunderstandyou,sir,'Isaid.
 'Nevermind,'hesaid;'I'llaskyourgrandfatherwhenhecomesdown.'SoIsat
still,wonderingwhathecouldmean,andalmostthinkinghemusthavegoneoutof
hismind.
Assoonasmygrandfatherreturned,heputthesamequestiontohim;andmy
grandfatheranswereditasIhaddone,byassuringhimhowfirmlyandstronglythe
lighthouseanditssurroundingswerebuiltintothesolidrock.
'Andyouyourself,'saidMr.Davis'howlonghaveyoubeenontheRock?'
'I,sir?'saidmygrandfather.'IsupposeyoumeanhowlonghaveIlivedhere;
fortyyears,sirfortyyearscomethetwelfthofnextmonthI'velivedonthisrock.'
'Andhowmuchlongerdoyouexpecttolivehere?'saidtheoldgentleman.
'Oh,Idon'tknow,sir,'saidmygrandfather.'AslongasIlive,Isuppose.Alick,
here,willtakemyplacebyandby;he'safine,strongboyisAlick,sir.'
'Andwherewillyoulivewhenyouleavetheisland?'askedMr.Davis.
'Oh,Inevermeantoleaveit,'saidmygrandfather;'nottillIdie,sir.'
'Andthen;wherewillyoulivethen?'
'Oh,Idon'tknow,sir,'saidmygrandfather.'Inheaven,Isuppose.But,dearme,
I'mnotgoingtherejustyet,'hesaid,asifhedidnotliketheturntheconversation
wastaking.
'Wouldyoumindansweringmeonemorequestion?'saidoldMr.Davis.'Would
youkindlytellmewhyyouthinkyou'llgotoheaven?Youwon'tmindmyasking
you,willyou?'
'Ohdear,no,'saidmygrandfather,'notatall,sir.Well,sir,youseeI'venever
doneanybodyanyharm,andGodisverymerciful,andsoI'venodoubtitwillbe
allrightatlast.
'Why,mydearfriend,'saidtheoldgentleman,'Ithoughtyousaidyouwereon
theRock.You'renotontheRockatall,you'reonthesand!'Hewasgoingtoadd
more,whenoneofCaptainSayer'smenranuptosaythesteamerwasreadyto
start, and would theykindlycome atonce, as itwas late already.So thetwo
gentlemenjumpedup,andpreparedhastilytogodowntothebeach.
ButasoldMr.Davistookleaveofmygrandfather,hesaidearnestly,
'Myfriend,youarebuildingonthesand;youareindeed,anditwon'tstandthe
storm; no, it won't stand the storm!' He had no time to say more, the sailor
hastenedhimaway.
 I followed them down to the pier, and stood there watching the steamer
preparingtostart.
Therewasalittledelayafterthegentlemenwentonboard,andIsawMr.Davis
sitdownonaseatondeck,takeouthispocketbook,andwritesomethingonone
oftheleaves.Thenhetoretheleafout,andgaveittooneofthesailorstohandto
measIstoodonthepier,andinanothermomentthesteamerhadstarted.

CHAPTERVII.
ATHICKFOG.

Thatlittlepieceofpaperwhichwasgivenmethatday,Ihaveitstill,putby
amongstmygreatesttreasures.Therewasnotmuchwrittenonit,onlytwolinesof
ahymn:
'OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.'
Iwalkedslowlyuptothehousethinking.MygrandfatherwasoutwithJem
Millar,soIdidnotshowhimthepaperthen,butIreadthelinesmanytimesover
asIwasplayingwithlittleTimpey,andIwonderedverymuchwhattheymeant.
Intheevening,mygrandfatherandJemMillargenerallysattogetheroverthe
fireinthelittlewatchroomupstairs,andIusedtotakelittleTimpeyupthere,until
itwastimeforhertogotobed.Shelikedclimbingupthestonestepsinthe
lighthousetower.Sheusedtocallout,'Up!up!up!'asshewentalong,untilshe
reachedthetopstep,andthenshewouldrunintothewatchroomwithamerry
laugh.
Aswewentinthisevening,mygrandfatherandJemweretalkingtogetherofthe
visitofthetwogentlemen'Ican'tthinkwhattheoldmanmeantabouttherock,'
mygrandfatherwassaying.'Icouldn'tmakeheadortailofit,Jem;couldyou,my
lad?'
'Lookthere,grandfather,'Isaid,asIhandedhimthelittlepieceofpaper,and
toldhimhowIhadgotit.
'Well,tobesure!'saidmygrandfather'Sohegaveyouthis,didhe?'andheread
aloud:
'OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.'
 'Wellnow,Jem,whatdoeshemean?Hekeptonsayingtome,"You'reonthe
sand,myfriend;you'reonthesand,anditwon'tstandthestorm!"Whatdoyou
makeofit,Jem?didyouhearhim,mylad?'
'Yes,'saidJemthoughtfully;'andithassetmethinking,Sandy;Iknowwhathe
meantwellenough.'
'Andpraywhatmaythatbe?'
'Hemeantwecan'tgettoheavenexceptwecometoChrist;wecan'tgetnoother
way.That'sjustwhatitmeans,Sandy!'
'Doyoumeantotellme,'saidmygrandfather,'thatIshan'tgettoheavenifIdo
mybest?'
'No, it won't do, Sandy; there's only one way to heaven; I know that well
enough.'
'Dearme,Jem!'saidmygrandfather,'Ineverheardyoutalklikethatbefore.'
'No,'saidJem,'I'veforgotallaboutitsinceIcametotheisland.Ihadagood
motheryearsago;IoughttohavedonebetterthanIhavedone.'
Hesaidnomore,buthewasverysilentalltheevening.Grandfatherreadhis
newspaperaloud,andtalkedonallmannerofsubjects,butJemMillar'sthoughts
seemedfaraway.
Thenextdaywashisdayforgoingonshore.MygrandfatherandJemtookitin
turns,thelastFridayineverymonth;itwastheonlytimetheywereallowedto
leavetheisland.Whenitwasmygrandfather'sturn,Igenerallywentwithhim,and
muchenjoyedgettingalittlechange.Butwhicheverofthemwent,itwasagreat
day with us on the island, for they bought any little things that we might be
needingforourhousesorgardens,anddidanybusinessthathadtobedoneon
shore.
WeallwentdowntothepiertoseeJemMillarstart;andasIwashelpinghimto
getonboardsomeemptysacksandsomeotherthingshehadtotakewithhim,he
saidtome,inanundertone,
'Alick,mylad,keepthatbitofpaper;it'salltruewhatthatoldgentlemansaid.
I'vebeenthinkingofiteversince;and,Alick,'hewhispered,'IbelieveIamonthe
Rocknow.'
Hesaidnomore,butarrangedhisoars,andinaminutemorehewasoff.Butas
herowedaway,Iheard,himsingingsoftlytohimself:
'OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.'
Wewatchedtheboatoutofsight,andthenwenthome,wishingthatitwas
eveningandthatJemwasbackagainwithallthethingsthatwehadaskedhimto
getforus.
Thatwasaverygloomyafternoon.Athickfogcameovertheseaandgradually
closedusin,sothatwecouldhardlyseeastepbeforeusonthebeach.
LittleTimpeybegantocough,soItookherindoors,andamusedhertherewitha
picturebook.Itgrewsodarkthatmygrandfatherlightedthelighthouselamps
soonafterdinner.Therewasadull,yellowlightovereverything.
Ineverrememberamoregloomyafternoon;andaseveningcameon,thefog
grewdenser,tillatlengthwecouldseenothingoutsidethewindows.
ItwasnouselookingoutforJem'sreturn,forwecouldnotseethesea,much
lessanyboatuponit.Sowestayedindoors,andmygrandfathersatbythefire
smokinghispipe.
'IthoughtJemwouldhavebeenherebeforenow,'hesaidatlength,asIwas
puttingoutthecupsandsaucersfortea.
'Oh,he'llcomebeforewe'vefinishedtea,Ithink,grandfather,'Ianswered.'I
wonderwhatsortofaspadehe'llhavegotforus.'
Whenteawasover,thedooropenedsuddenly,andwelookedup,expectingto
seeJementerwithourpurchases.ButitwasnotJem;itwashiswife.
'Sandy,'shesaid,'whattimedoyoumakeit?Myclock'sstopped!'
'Twentyminutespastsix,'saidmygrandfather,lookingathiswatch.
'Pastsix!'sherepeated.'Why,Jem'sverylate!'
'Yes,'saidmygrandfather;'I'llgodowntothepier,andhavealookout.'
Buthecamebacksoon,sayingitwasimpossibletoseeanything;thefogwasso
thick,hewasalmostafraidofwalkingoverthepier.'Buthe'sboundtobeinat
seven,hesaid(forthatwasthehourthelighthousemenwererequiredtobeonthe
islandagain),'sohe'llsoonbeupnow.'
The clock moved on, and still Jem Millar did not come. I saw Mrs. Millar
runningtoherdooreverynowandthenwithherbabyinherarms,tolookdown
thegardenpath.Butnoonecame.
Atlasttheclockstruckseven.
 'Ineverknewhimdosuchathingbefore!'saidmygrandfather,asherosetogo
downtothepieroncemore.
CHAPTERVIII.
WAITINGFORTHEBOAT.

PoorMrs.Millarwentoutofherhouse,andfollowedmygrandfatherdownto
thepier.IwaitedindoorswithlittleTimpey,strainingmyearstolistenforthe
soundoftheirfootstepscomingbackagain.
Buttheclockstruckhalfpastseven,andstillnosoundwastobeheard.Icould
waitnolonger;Iwrappedthechildinashawl,andcarriedherintotheMillars'
house,andleftherunderthecareofMrs.Millar'slittleservant.AndthenIran
down,throughthethick,smotheringfog,tothepier.
MygrandfatherwasstandingtherewithMrs.Millar.WhenIcameclosetothem
hewassaying,'Cheerup,Mary,mylass;he'sallright;he'sonlywaitingtillthis
misthasclearedawayabit.Yougohome,andI'lltellyouassoonaseverIhear
hisboatcoming.Why,you'rewetthrough,woman;you'llgetyourdeathofcold!'
Herthincalicodresswassoakedwiththedampintheair,andshewasshivering,
andlookedaswhiteasasheet.Atfirstshewouldnotbepersuadedtoleavethe
pier;but,astimewenton,anditgrewdarkerandcolder,sheconsentedtodoas
mygrandfathertoldher,andhepromisedhewouldsendmeuptothelighthouseto
tellherassoonasJemarrived.
Whenshewasgone,mygrandfathersaid'Alick,there'ssomethingwrongwith
Jem,dependuponit!Ididn'tliketotellherso,poorsoul!Ifweonlyhadtheboat,
Iwouldgooutabitofwayandsee.'
Wewalkedupanddownthepier,andstoppedeverynowandthentolistenifwe
couldhearthesoundofoarsinthedistance,forweshouldnotbeabletoseethe
boattillitwascloseuponus,sodensehadthefogbecome.
'Dearme,'mygrandfatherkeptsayinganxiously,'Iwishhewouldcome!'
My thoughts went back to the bright sunny morning when Jem Millar had
started,andwehadheardhimsinging,ashewent,thosetwolinesofthehymn,
'OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.'
Thetimepassedon.Wouldhenevercome?Wegrewmoreandmoreanxious.
Mrs.Millar'sservantgirlcamerunningdowntosayhermistresswantedtoknow
ifwecouldhearanythingyet.
 'No,'mygrandfathersaid,'nothingyet,mylass;butitcan'tbelongnow.'
'Missisissopoorly,'saidthegirl;'Ithinkshe'sgotacold:sheshakesallover,
andshekeepsfrettingso.'
'Poorsoul!well,perhapsit'sbetterso.'
'Whateverdoyoumean,grandfather?'Iasked.
'Why,ifaught'samiss,shewon'tbesotakenabackasifshewasn'tafraid;andif
Jem'sallright,why,she'llonlybethebetterpleased.'
Thegirlwentback,andwestillwaitedonthepier.'Grandfather,'Isaidatlength,
'IthinkIhearaboat.'
Itwasaverystillnight;westoodandlistened.Atfirstmygrandfathersaidhe
heardnothing;butatlengthhedistinguished,asIdid,theregularplashplash
plashofoarsinthedistance.
'Yes,itisaboat,'saidmygrandfather.
Iwashasteningtoleavethepier,andrunuptothehousetotellMrs.Millar,but
mygrandfatherlaidhishandonmyshoulder.
'Waitabit,Alick,mylad,'hesaid;'letushearwhatitisfirst;maybeitisn'tJem,
afterall!'
'Butit'scominghere,grandfather;Icanhearitbetternow.'
'Yes,'hesaid,'it'scominghere;'buthestillkepthishandonmyshoulder.
The boat had been a long way off when we first heard it, for it was many
minutesbeforethesoundoftheoarsseemedtobecomemuchmoredistinct.Butit
camenearer,andnearer,andnearer.Yes,theboatwasevidentlymakingforthe
island.
Atlastitcamesonearthatmygrandfathercalledoutfromtheendofthepier,
'Hollo,Jem!You'relate,mylad!'
'Hollo!'saidavoicefromtheboat;butitwasn'tJem'svoice.
'Whereaboutsisyourlandingplace?'saidthevoice;'it'ssothick,Ican'tsee.'
'Why,Jemisn'tthere,grandfather!'Isaid,catchingholdofhisarm.
'No,'saidmygrandfather;'Iknewtherewassomethingwrongwiththelad.'
Hecalledouttothemanintheboatthedirectioninwhichhewastorow,and
thenheandIwentdownthestepstogether,andwaitedfortheboattocomeup.
 Therewerefourmenintheboat.Theyweresailors,andstrangerstome.Oneof
them,theonewhosevoicewehadheard,gotouttospeaktomygrandfather.
'Something'swrong,'saidmygrandfather,beforehecouldbegin;'something's
wrongwiththatpoorlad.'
'Yes,'saidtheman,'we'vegothimhere;andhepointedtotheboat.
Acoldshudderpassedovermeashesaidthis,andIcaughtsightofsomething
lyingatthemen'sfeetatthebottomoftheboat.
'What'swrongwithhim?Hashehadanaccident?Ishemuchhurt?'
'He'sdead,'saidthemansolemnly.
'Ohdear!'saidmygrandfather,inachokingvoice.'Howevershallwetellhis
wife?HowevershallwetellpoorMary?'
'Howdidithappen?'Iaskedatlength,assoonasIcouldspeak.
'Hewasgettingasackofflouronboard,overyonder'saidoneofthemeninthe
boat,'anditwasawfulthickandfoggy,andhemissedhisfootingontheplank,
andfellin;that'showithappened!'
'Yes,'saidanotherman,'anditseemshecouldn'tswim,andtherewasnoboat
nighathandtohelphim.JoeMalcolmsonwasthereandsawhimfallin;but
beforehecouldcallanyofus,itwasalloverwithhim.Wegothimoutatlast,but
hewasquitegone;we fetched a doctor, and tookhimintoa housenear,and
rubbedhim,anddidallwecould;butitwasn'tofnogoodatall!Shallwebring
himin?'
'Waitabit,'saidmygrandfather;'wemusttellthatpoorgirlfirst.Whichofyou
willgoandtellher?'
Themenlookedateachotheranddidnotspeak.Atlastoneofthem,whoknew
mygrandfatheralittle,said,'You'dbettertellher,Sandy;sheknowsyou,and
she'llbearitbetterthanfromstrangers;we'llwaitheretillyoucomeback,and
thenwecanbringhimin.'
'Well,'saidmygrandfather,withagroan,'I'llgothen!Comewithme,Alick,my
lad,'saidhe,turningtome;'butno,perhapsI'dbettergobymyself.'
Sohewentveryslowlyuptowardsthelighthouse,andIremainedbehindwith
thefourmenontheshore,andthatsilentformlyingatthebottomoftheboat.
Iwasmuchfrightened,andfeltasifitwasallaveryterribledream,andasifI
shouldsoonwakeuptofindithadallpassedaway.
 CHAPTERIX.
ACHANGEINTHELIGHTHOUSE.

Itseemedalongtimebeforemygrandfathercameback,andthenheonlysaidin
alowvoice,'Youcanbringhimnow,mylads;sheknowsaboutitnow.'
Andsothemournfullittleprocessionmovedon,throughthefieldandgarden
andcourt,totheMillars'house,mygrandfatherandIfollowing.
Ishallneverforgetthatnight,northestrange,solemnfeelingIhadthen.
Mrs.Millarwasveryill;theshockhadbeentoomuchforher.Themenwent
backintheboattobringadoctortotheislandtoseeher,andthedoctorsentthem
backagaintobringanurse.Hesaidhewasafraidshewouldhaveanattackof
brainfever,andhethoughtherveryillindeed.
MygrandfatherandIsatintheMillars'houseallnight,forthenursedidnot
arriveuntilearlyinthemorning.Thesixchildrenwerefastasleepintheirlittle
beds.Iwenttolookatthemonce,toseeifmylittleTimpeywasallright;shewas
lyinginlittlePolly'sbed,theirtinyhandsfastclaspedtogetherastheyslept.The
tearscamefastintomyeyes,asIthoughtthattheybothhadlostafather,andyet
neitherofthemknewanythingoftheirloss!
Whenthenursearrived,mygrandfatherandIwenthomeButwecouldnot
sleep;welightedthekitchenfire,andsatoveritinsilenceforalongtime.
Then my grandfather said: 'Alick, my lad, ithas given me such a turn as I
haven'thadformanyaday.Itmighthavebeenme,Alick;itmightjustaswell
havebeenme!'
Iputmyhandinhis,andgraspeditverytightly,ashesaidthis.'Yes,'hesaid
again,'itmighthavebeenme;andifithad,IwonderwhereIshouldhavebeen
now?'
Ididn'tspeak,andhewenton,'IwonderwhereJemisnow,poorfellow;I've
beenthinkingofthatallnight,eversinceIsawhimlyingthereatthebottomof
thatboat.'
SoItoldhimofwhatJemMillarhadsaidtomethelasttimeIhadseenhim.
'OntheRock!'saidmygrandfather.DidhesayhewasontheRock?Dearme!I
wishIcouldsayasmuch,Alick,mylad.'
'Can'tyouandIcomeashecame,grandfather?'Isaid.'Can'twecomeandbuild
ontheRock,too?'
 'Well,'saidmygrandfather,'Iwishwecould,mylad.Ibegintoseewhathe
meant,andwhattheoldgentlemanmeanttoo.Hesaid,"You'reonthesand,my
friend;you'reonthesand,anditwon'tstandthestorm;no,itwon'tstandthe
storm!"I'vejusthadthosewordsinmyearsallthetimeweweresittingoverthere
byMrs.Millar.But,dearme,Idon'tknowhowtogetontheRock;Idon'tindeed.'
ThewholeofthenextweekpoorMrs.Millarlaybetweenlifeanddeath.Atfirst
thedoctorgavenohopewhateverofherrecovery;butafteratimeshegrewalittle
better,andhebegantospeakmoreencouragingly.Ispentmytimewiththepoor
children,andhardlyleftthemamoment,doingallIcouldtokeepthemquietly
happy,thattheymightnotdisturbtheirmother.
Onesorrowfuldayonly,mygrandfatherandIwereabsentforseveralhours
fromthelighthouse;forwewentashoretofollowpoorJemMillartothegrave.
Hispoorwifewasunconscious,andknewnothingofwhatwasgoingon.
When,aftersomeweeks,thefeverlefther,shewasstillveryweakandunfitfor
work.Buttherewasmuchtobedone,andshehadnotimetositstill,foranew
manhadbeenappointedtotakeherhusband'splace;andhewastocomeintothe
houseatthebeginningofthemonth.
WefeltverydullandsadthedaythattheMillarswentaway.Wewentdownto
thepierwiththem,andsawthemonboardthesteamerMrs.Millar,thesixlittle
children,andtheservantgirl,alldressedinmourning,andallofthemcrying.
TheyweregoingtoMrs.Millar'shome,farawayinthenorthofScotland,where
heroldfatherandmotherwerestillliving.
Theislandseemedverylonelyanddesolatewhentheyweregone.Ifithadnot
beenforourlittlesunbeam,asmygrandfathercalledher,Idonotknowwhatwe
shouldhavedone.Everydaywelovedhermore,andwhatwedreadedmostwas,
thataletterwouldarrivesomeMondaymorningtotellusthatshemustgoaway
fromus.
'Dear me, Alick,' my grandfather would often say, 'how little you and me
thoughtthatstormynightwhatalittletreasurewehadgotwrappedupinthat
funnylittlebundle!'
Thechildwasgrowingfast;thefreshseadidhergreatgood,andeverydayshe
becamemoreintelligentandpretty.
WewereverycurioustoknowwhowasappointedinJemMillar'splace;butwe
werenotabletofindoutevenwhathisnamewas.CaptainSayerssaidthathedid
notknowanythingaboutit;andthegentlemenwhocameoveronceortwicetosee
aboutthehousebeingrepairedandputinorderforthenewcomerwereverysilent
onthesubject,andseemedtothinkusveryinquisitiveifweaskedanyquestions.
Ofcourse,ourcomfortdependedverymuchuponwhoourneighbourwas,forhe
andmygrandfatherwouldbeconstantlytogether,andweshouldhavenooneelse
tospeakto.
Mygrandfatherwasveryanxiousthatweshouldgivethemanawelcometothe
island,andmakehimcomfortableonhisfirstarrival.Sowesettowork,assoonas
theMillarsweregone,todiguptheuntidygardenbelongingtothenexthouse,and
makeitasneatandprettyaswecouldforthenewcomers.
'Iwonderhowmanyofthemtherewillbe,'Isaid,aswewereatworkintheir
garden.
'Maybeonlyjusttheman,'saidmygrandfather.'WhenIcameherefirst,Iwasa
youngunmarriedman,Alick.Butweshallsoonknowallabouthim;he'llbehere
nextMondaymorning,theysay.'
'It'sawonderhehasn'tbeenoverbefore,'Isaid,'toseethehouseandtheisland.
Iwonderwhathe'llthinkofit?'
'He'llbestrangeatfirst,poorfellow,saidmygrandfather;'butwe'llgivehima
bitofawelcome.Haveanicebitofbreakfastreadyforhim,Alick,mylad,andfor
hiswifeandbairnstoo,ifhehasanyhotcoffeeandcakes,andabitofmeat,and
anythingelseyoulike;they'llbegladofitaftercrossingoverhere.'
So we made our little preparations, and waited very anxiously indeed for
Monday'sSteamer.
CHAPTERX.
OURNEWNEIGHBOUR.

Mondaymorningcame,andfoundusstandingonthepierasusualawaitingthe
arrivalofthesteamer.
Wewereveryanxiousindeedtoseeournewneighbours.Anicelittlebreakfast
forfourorfivepeoplewassetoutinourlittlekitchen,andIhadgatheredalarge
bunchofdahliasfromourgarden,tomakethetablelookcheerfulandbright.All
wasready,andinduetimethesteamercamepuffinguptowardsthepier,andwe
sawamanstandingonthedeck,talkingtoCaptainSayers,whowefeltsuremust
bethenewlighthouseman.
'Idon'tseeawife,'saidmygrandfather.
'Noranychildren,'saidI,asIheldlittleTimpeyup,thatshemightseethe
steamer.
 'Puff,puff,puff,'shesaid,asitcameup,andthenturnedroundandlaughed
merrily.
Thesteamercameuptothelandingplace,andmygrandfatherandIwentdown
thestepstomeetCaptainSayersandthestranger.
'Here'syournewneighbour,Sandy,'saidthecaptain.'Willyoushowhimthe
waytohishouse,whilstIseetoyourgoods?'
'Welcometotheisland,'saidmygrandfather,graspinghishand.
Hewasatall,stronglybuiltman,verysunburntandweatherbeaten.
'Thankyou,'saidtheman,lookingatmeallthetime.'Itispleasanttohavea
welcome.'
'That's my grandson Alick,' said my grandfather, putting his hand on my
shoulder.
'Yourgrandson,'repeatedtheman,lookingearnestlyatme;'yourgrandson
indeed!'
'Andnowcomealong,'saidmygrandfather,'andgetabitofsomethingtoeat;
we'vegotacupofcoffeeallreadyforyouathome,andyou'llberightwelcome,I
assureyou.'
'That'sverykindofyou,'saidthestranger.
Wewerewalkingupnowtowardsthehouse,andthemandidnotseemmuch
inclinedtotalk.IfanciedoncethatIsawatearinhiseye,butIthoughtImust
havebeenmistaken.Whatcouldhehavetocryabout?Ilittleknewallthatwas
passingthroughhismind.
'Bythebye,'saidmygrandfather,turningroundsuddenlyuponhim,'what'syour
name?We'veneverheardityet!'
Themandidnotanswer,andmygrandfatherlookedathiminastonishment.
'Haveyougotnoname?'hesaid,'orhaveyouobjectionstofolksknowingwhat
yournameis?'
'Father!'saidtheman,takingholdofmygrandfather'shand,'don'tyouknow
yourownlad?'
'Why,it'smyDavid!Alick,lookAlick,that'syourfather;itisindeed!'
Andthenmygrandfatherfairlybrokedown,andsobbedlikeachild,whilstmy
fathergraspedhimtightlywithonehand,andputtheotheronmyshoulder.
 'Iwouldn'tletthemtellyou,'hesaid'ImadethempromisenottotellyoutillI
coulddoitmyself.IheardofJemMillar'sdeathassoonasIarrivedinEngland,
andIwroteoffandappliedfortheplaceatonce.ItoldthemIwasyourson,father,
andtheygavemeitatonce,assoonastheyheardwhereIhadbeenallthese
years.'
'Andwherehaveyoubeen,David,nevertosendusalineallthetime?'
'Well,it'salongstory,'saidmyfather;'let'scomein,andI'lltellyouallaboutit.'
Sowewentintogether,andmyfatherstilllookedatme.'He'sverylikeHER,
father,'hesaid,inahuskyvoice.
Iknewhemeantmymother!
'ThenyouheardaboutpoorAlice?'saidmygrandfather.
'Yes,'hesaid;'itwasaverycuriousthing.Amanfromthesepartshappenedto
beonboardthevesselIcamehomein,andhetoldmeallaboutit.IfeltasifIhad
noheartleftinme,whenIheardshewasgone.Ihadjustbeenthinkingallthetime
howgladshewouldbetoseeme.'
Thenmygrandfathertoldhimallhecouldaboutmypoormother.Howshehad
longedtohearfromhim;andhow,asweekafterweekandmonthaftermonth
wentby,andnonewscame,shehadgraduallybecomeweakerandweaker.All
this and muchmorehetoldhim;andwheneverhestopped,my fatheralways
wantedtohearmore,sothatitwasnotuntilweweresittingoverthewatchroom
fireintheeveningthatmyfatherbegantotellushisstory.
HehadbeenshipwreckedonthecoastofChina.Theshiphadgonetopiecesnot
farfromshore,andheandthreeothermenhadescapedsafelytoland.Assoonas
theysteppedonshore,acrowdofChinesegatheredroundthemwithanythingbut
friendly faces. They were taken prisoners, and carried before some man who
seemedtobethegovernorofthatpartofthecountry.Heaskedthemagreatmany
questions,buttheydidnotunderstandawordofwhathesaid,and,ofcourse,
couldnotanswerhim.
Forsomedaysmyfatherandtheothermenwereveryuncertainwhattheirfate
wouldbe;fortheChineseatthattimewereexceedinglyjealousofanyforeigner
landingontheirshore.However,onedaytheywerebroughtoutofthewooden
houseinwhichtheyhadbeenimprisoned,andtakenalongjourneyofsometwo
hundredmilesintotheinteriorofthecountry.Andhereitwasthatmypoorfather
hadbeenallthoseyears,whenwethoughthimdead.Hewasnotunkindlytreated,
andhetaughtthehalfcivilizedpeopletheremanythingswhichtheydidnotknow,
andwhichtheywereverygladtolearn.Butbothbydayandnighthewascarefully
watched,lestheshouldmakehisescape,andheneverfoundasingleopportunity
ofgettingawayfromthem.Ofcourse,therewerenopostsandnorailwaysinthat
remoteplace,andhewasquiteshutoutfromtheworld.Ofwhatwasgoingonat
homeheknewaslittleasifhehadbeenlivinginthemoon.
Slowlyanddrearilyelevenlongyearspassedaway,andthen,onemorning,they
weresuddenlytoldthattheyweretobesentdowntothecoast,andputonboarda
shipboundforEngland.Theytoldmyfatherthattherehadbeenawar,andthat
oneoftheconditionsofpeacewas,thattheyshouldgiveupalltheforeignersin
theircountrywhomtheywereholdingasprisoners.
'Well,David,mylad,'saidmygrandfather,whenhehadfinishedhisstrange
story,'it'salmostlikegettingtheebackfromthedead,tohavetheeintheoldhome
again!'

CHAPTERXI.
ONTHEROCK.

About a fortnight after my father arrived, we were surprised one Monday

morningbyanothervisitfromoldMr.Davis.Hissoninlawhadaskedhimto
cometotellmygrandfatherthathehadreceivedaletterwithregardtothelittle
girlwhowassavedfromtheVictory.Sohetoldmyfatherandmeaswestoodon
thepier;andallthewaytothehouseIwaswonderingwhatthelettercouldbe.
Timpeywasrunningbymyside,herlittlehandinmine,andIcouldnotbearto
thinkhowdullweshouldbewhenshewasgone.
'Why,it'ssurelyMr.Davis,'saidmygrandfather,asherosetomeettheold
gentleman.
'Yes,'saidhe,'itisMr.Davis;andIsupposeyoucanguesswhatI'vecomefor.'
'Nottotakeourlittlesunbeam,sir,'saidmygrandfather,takingTimpeyinhis
arms.'Younevermeantosayyou'regoingtotakeheraway?'
'Waitabit,'saidtheoldgentleman,sittingdownandfumblinginhispocket;
'waituntilyou'veheardthisletter,andthenseewhatyouthinkabouthergoing.'
Andhebegantoreadasfollows:
MYDEARSIR,Iamalmostover
poweredwithjoybythenewsreceivedby
telegramanhourago.Wehadheardof
thelossoftheVictory,andweremourning
forourlittledarlingasbeingamongstthe
numberofthosedrowned.Hermotherhas
beenquitecrushedbyherloss,andhas
beendangerouslyilleversincethesad
intelligence
reachedus.

'NeedItellyouwhatourfeelingswere
whenwesuddenlyheardthatourdearchild
wasalive,andwellandhappy!

'Weshallsailbythenextsteamerfor
England,toclaimourlittledarling.My
wifeishardlystrongenoughtotravelthis
week,orweshouldcomeatonce.Athousand
thankstothebravemenwhosaved
ourlittlegirl.Ishallhopesoontobe
abletothankthemmyself.Myheartis
toofulltowritemuchtoday.

'Ourchildwastravellinghomeunderthe
careofafriend,aswewishedhertoleave
Indiabeforethehotweathersetin,andI
wasnotabletoleavefortwomonths.This
accountsforthenameVilliersnotbeingon
thelistofpassengersonboardtheVictory.

'Thankingyoumostsincerelyforallyour
effortstoletusknowofourchild'ssafety,
'Iremain,yoursverytruly,

'EDWARDVILLIERS.'
'Now,'saidtheoldgentleman,lookingatme,andlaughing,thoughIsawatear
inhiseye,'won'tyouletthemhaveher?'
'Well,tobesure,'saidmygrandfather,'whatcanonesayafterthat?Poorthings,
howpleasedtheyare!
'Timpey,'Isaid,takingthelittlegirlonmyknee,'whodoyouthinkiscomingto
seeyou?YourmotheriscomingcomingtoseelittleTimpey!'
 Thechildlookedearnestlyatme;sheevidentlyhadnotquiteforgottenthename.
She opened her blue eyes wider than usual, and looked very thoughtful for a
minuteortwo.Thenshenoddedherheadverywisely,andsaid,
'DearmothercomingtoseeTimpey?'
'Blessher!'saidtheoldgentleman,strokingherfairlittlehead;'sheseemsto
knowallaboutit.'
Thenwesatdowntobreakfast;andwhilstwewereeatingit,oldMr.Davis
turnedtome,andaskedifIhadreadthelittlepieceofpaper.
'Yes,sir,'saidmygrandfather,'indeedwehavereadit;'andhetoldhimabout
JemMillar,andwhathehadsaidtomethatlastmorning.'Andnow,'saidmy
grandfather,'Iwish,ifyou'dbesokind,youwouldtellmehowtogetontheRock,
forI'monthesandnow;there'snodoubtatallaboutit,andI'mafraid,asyousaid
thelasttimeyouwerehere,thatitwon'tstandthestorm.'
'Itwouldbeasadthing,'saidoldMr.Davis,'tobeonthesandwhenthegreat
stormcomes.'
'Ay,sir,itwould,saidmygrandfather;'Ioftenlieinbedatnightsandthinkofit,
whenthewindsandthewavesareraging.Icalltomindthatversewhereitsays
abouttheseaandthewavesroaring,andmen'sheartsfailingthemforfear.Deary
me,Ishouldbeterriblefrightened,thatIshould,ifthatdaywastocome,andIsaw
theLordcominginglory.'
'ButyouneednotbeafraidifyouareontheRock,'saidouroldfriend.'Allwho
havecometoChrist,andarerestingonHim,willfeelassafeinthatdayasyoudo
whenthereisastormragingandyouareinsidethishouse.'
'Yes,'saidmygrandfather,'Iseethat,sir;butsomehowIdon'tknowwhatyou
meanbygettingontheRock;Idon'tquiteseeit,sir.'
'Well,'saidMr.Davis,'whatwouldyoudoifthishousewasbuiltonthesand
downtherebytheshore,andyouknewthattheveryfirststormthatcamewould
sweepitaway?
'Do,sir!'saidmygrandfather,'why,Ishouldpullitdown,everystoneofit,and
builditupontherockinstead.'
'Exactly!'saidMr.Davis.'Youhavebeenbuildingyourhopesofheavenonthe
sandonyourgooddeeds,onyourgoodintentions,onallsortsofsandheaps.
Youknowyouhave.
'Yes,'saidgrandfather,'IknowIhave.'
 'Well,myfriend,'saidMr.Davis,'pullthemalldown.Saytoyourself,"I'ma
lostmanifIremainasIam;myhopesareallrestingonthesand."Andthen,build
yourhopesonsomethingbetter,somethingwhichwillstandthestorm;buildthem
onChrist.Heistheonlywaytoheaven.Hehasdiedthatyou,apoorsinner,might
gothere.BuildyourhopesonHim,myfriend.TrusttowhatHehasdoneforyou
asyouronlyhopeofheaventhatisbuildingontheRock!'
'Isee,sir;Iunderstandyounow.'
'Dothat,'saidMr.Davis,'andthenyourhopewillbeasureandsteadfasthope,a
goodhopewhichcanneverbemoved.Andwhenthelastgreatstormcomes,it
willnottouchyou;youwillbeascertainlyandasentirelysafeinthatdayasyou
areinthislighthousewhenthestormisragingoutside,becauseyouwillbebuilt
upontheimmovableRock.'
IcannotrecollectalltheconversationwhichMr.Davisandmygrandfatherhad
thatmorning,butIdorememberthatbeforehewentawayhekneltdownwithus,
andprayedthatwemighteveryoneofusbefoundontheRockinthatlastgreat
storm.
AndIrememberalsothatthatnight,whenmygrandfathersaidgoodnightto
me,hesaid,'Alick,mylad,Idon'tmeantogotosleeptonighttillIcansay,like
poorJemMillar,
'OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.'
AndIbelievethatmygrandfatherkepthisword.
CHAPTERXII.
THESUNBEAMCLAIMED.

Itwasacold,cheerlessmorning;thewindwasblowing,andtherainwasbeating
againstthewindows.ItwasfartoowetandstormyforlittleTimpeytobeout,so
she and I had a game of ball together in the kitchen, whilst my father and
grandfatherwentdowntothepier.
Shelookedsuchaprettylittlethingthatmorning.Shehadonalittlebluefrock,
whichmygrandfatherhadboughtforher,andwhichMrs.Millarhadmadebefore
shelefttheisland,andacleanwhitepinafore.Shewasscreamingwithdelight,asI
threwtheballoverherheadandsherantocatchit,whenthedooropened,andmy
fatherranin.
'Alick,isshehere?They'vecome!'
'Who'vecome,father?'Isaid.
 'LittleTimpey'sfatherandmother;theyarecomingupthegardennowwithyour
grandfather!
Hehadhardlyfinishedspeakingbeforemygrandfathercameinwithaladyand
gentleman.Theladyranforwardassoonasshesawherchild,putherarmsround
her,andheldhertightlyinherbosom,asifshecouldneverpartfromheragain.
Thenshesatdownwithherlittledarlingonherknee,strokinghertinyhandsand
talkingtoher,andlooking,oh,soanxiously,toseeifthechildrememberedher.
Atfirst,Timpeylookedalittleshy,andhungdownherhead,andwouldnotlook
in her mother's face. But this was only for a minute. As soon as her
motherspoketohersheevidentlyrememberedhervoice,andwhenMrs.Villiers
askedher,withtearsinhereyes,
'Doyouknowme,littleTimpey?MydearlittleTimpey,whoamI?'thechild
lookedup,andsmiled,asshesaid,'DearmotherTimpey'sdearmother!'andshe
putupherlittlefathandtostrokehermother'sface.
Andthen,whenIsawthat,Icouldfeelnolongersorrythatthechildwasgoing
away.
Icanwellrememberwhatahappymorningthatwas.Mr.andMrs.Villierswere
sokindtous,andsoverygratefulforallthatmygrandfatherandIhaddonefor
theirlittlegirl.Theythoughtherlookingsomuchbetterandstrongerthanwhen
sheleftIndia,andtheyweresopleasedtofindthatshehadnotforgottenallthe
littlelessonsshehadlearntathome.Mrs.Villiersseemedasifshecouldnottake
hereyesoffthechild;whereverlittleTimpeywent,andwhatevershewasdoing,
hermotherfollowedher,andIshallneverforgethowhappyandhowgladboththe
fatherandthemotherlooked.
Butthemostpleasantdaywillcometoanend;andintheeveningaboatwasto
comefromshoretotakeMr.andMrs.Villiersandtheirchildaway.
'Dearme!'saidmygrandfather,withagroan,ashetookthelittlegirlonhis
knee,'Ineverfeltsosorrytoloseanybody,never;I'msureIdidn't.Why,Icalls
hermylittlesunbeam,sir!You'llexcusemesayingso,butIdon'tfeeloverand
abovekindlytoyoufortakingherawayfromme;Idon'tindeed,sir.'
'ThenIdon'tknowwhatyouwillsaytomewhenyouhearIwanttorobyou
further,'saidMr.Villiers.
'Robmefurther?'repeatedmygrandfather.
'Yes,'saidMr.Villiers,puttinghishandonmyshoulder.'Iwanttotakethis
grandsonofyoursawaytoo.Itseemstomeagreatpitythatsuchafineladshould
wastehisdaysshutuponthislittleisland.Lethimcomewithme,andIwillsend
himtoareallygoodschoolforthreeorfouryears,andthenIwillgethimsome
goodclerkship,orsomethingofthatkind,andputhiminthewayofmakinghis
wayintheworld.Nowthen,myfriend,willyouandhisfathersparehim?'
'Well,'saidmygrandfather,'Idon'tknowwhattosaytoyou,sir;it'sverygood
ofyouverygood,indeeditis,anditwouldbeafinethingforAlick,itwould
indeed;butIalwaysthoughthewouldtakemyplaceherewhenIwasdead.'
'Yes,'saidmyfather;'but,yousee,Ishallbeheretodothat,father;andifMr.
VilliersissoverykindastotakeAlick,I'msureweoughtonlytobetoogladfor
himtohavesuchafriend.'
'You'reright,David;yes,yourright.Wemustn'tbeselfish,sir;andyou'dlethim
comeandseeussometimes,wouldn'tyou?'
'Oh,tobesure,'saidMr.Villiers;'hecancomeandspendhisholidayshere,and
giveyoufinehistoriesofhisschoollife.Now,Alick,whatsayyou?There'sa
capitalschoolinthetownwherewearegoingtolive,soyouwouldbenearusand
youcouldcometoseeusonholidayafternoons,andseewhetherthislittlewoman
remembersallyouhavetaughther.Whatsayyou?'
Iwasverypleasedindeed,andverythankfulforhiskindness,andmyfatherand
grandfathersaidtheywouldneverbeabletorepayhim.
'Repayme!' said Mr. Villiers. 'Why, my friends, it'sIwho can never
repayyou.Justthink,foronemoment,ofwhatyouhavegivenme'andheputhis
armroundhislittlegirl'sneck.'Sowemayconsiderthatmattersettled.Andnow,
whencanAlickcome?'
Mygrandfatherbeggedforanothermonth,andMr.Villierssaidthatwoulddo
verywell,asinthattimetheschoolwouldreopenaftertheholidays.Andsoit
cametopass,thatwhenIsaidgoodbyetolittleTimpeythatafternoon,itwaswith
thehopeofsoonseeingheragain.
HerfathercalledherLucy,whichIfoundwasherrealname.Timpeywasapet
name, which had been given her as a baby. But though Lucy was certainly a
prettiername,stillIfeltIshouldalwaysthinkofherasTimpeymylittleTimpey.
Ishallneverforgetmyfeelingsthatmonth.Astrangenewlifewasopeningout
beforeme,andIfeltquitebewilderedbytheprospect.
Mygrandfather,andfather,andIsatoverthewatchroomfire,nightafternight,
talkingovermyfuture;anddayafterdayIwanderedoverourdearlittleisland,
wonderinghowIshouldfeelwhenIsaidgoodbyetoit,andwentintothegreat
worldbeyond.
 SinceoldMr.Davis'svisit,therehadbeenagreatchangeinourlittlehome.The
greatBiblehadbeentakendownfromitsplaceandcarefullyreadandstudied,and
Sundaywasnolongerspentbyuslikeanyotherday,butwaskeptaswellasit
couldbeonthatlonelyisland.
Mygrandfather,Ifeltsure,wasanewman.Oldthingshadpassedaway;all
thingshadbecomenew.Hewasdearertomethanever,andIfeltverysorrowful
whenIthoughtofpartingfromhim.
'Icouldneverhaveleftyou,grandfather,'Isaidoneday,'ifmyfatherhadnot
beenhere.'
'No,'hesaid,'Idon'tthinkIcouldhavesparedyou,Alick;butyourfatherjust
camebackinrighttime,didn'tyou,David?'
AtlastthedayarrivedonwhichMr.Villiershadappointedtomeetmeatthe
towntowhichthesteamerwenteveryMondaymorning,whenitlefttheisland.
Myfatherandgrandfatherwalkedwithmedowntothepier,andsawmeonboard.
Andtheverylastthingmygrandfathersaidtomewas,'Alick,mylad,keeponthe
RockbesureyoukeepontheRock!'
AndItrustthatIhaveneverforgottenmygrandfather'slastwordstome.
'Itwasfoundeduponarock.'

MATT.VII.25
Myhopeisbuiltonnothingless
ThanJesu'sbloodandrighteousness;
Idarenottrustthesweetestframe,
ButwhollyleanonJesu'sname.
OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.

Whenlongappearsmytoilsomerace,
IrestonHisunchanginggrace;
Ineveryhighandstormygale,
Myanchorholdswithintheveil.
OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.

Hisoath,Hiscovenant,andblood,
Supportmeinthewhelmingflood;
Wheneveryearthlypropgivesway,
Hethenisallmyhopeandstay.
OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.

Whenthelasttrumpet'svoiceshallsound,
Oh,mayItheninHimbefound;
RobedinHisrighteousnessalone,
Faultlesstostandbeforethethrone.
OnChrist,thesolidRock,Istand,
Allothergroundissinkingsand.

MOTE.

Butler&Tanner,TheSelwoodPrintingWorks,Frome,andLondon.