III
The Parson came up the side.
The crispness was out of his curls; his cheek was mottled; and the brave blue eyes seemed old, hollow, and faded. Even Polly hung somewhat limply from his wrist.
The two men, standing hand in hand, looked into each other's eyes.
"Old friend," said Nelson.
"Colonel," said the Parson, and with the word his life began to flow again.
Nelson's eye twinkled. He laid his hand on the other's shoulder.
"The same old Joy, I see," he said, and added gravely, "Harry, you've saved my life."
"Then I've saved England," replied the Parson, and dwelt upon his friend with the simple love of one brave man for another.
"Yes, yes," said Nelson, with that naive vanity of his so beautiful in its innocence. "England can trust her Nelson. And but for you, Harry, Nelson would be lost."