One day, when the wind was rising and the sea very rough, the old man told Lizzie to watch the fishing-boats coming into the bay, and then said:
“You see those little storm-tossed boats, my lassie, making for the harbour; they’ve had a rough time of it, and I’ll venture to say, there isn’t a man in them who won’t be glad to set his foot on shore. It’s a rocky coast this, and many’s the brave ship I’ve known in my time wrecked off the rocks yonder, let alone the little cockleshells of fishing-boats. Ah, my child, it’s just a picture of our life. We’re all launched on a stormy sea; and, though some have a smoother passage than others, I believe there are waves and storms for all. Happy for those that have with them in the ship the one Pilot that can bring them safely through all storms, into the quiet haven.”
The child looked up earnestly into the man’s face as he spoke, and then said: “Daisy says she thinks the haven must be all the more welcome when the boats have had a rough passage.”
“Ay, and Daisy’s right too, my child; the storms and danger make the rest and peaceful shelter seem all the sweeter; and heaven will seem all the more welcome when the voyage has been full of storms.”
The old man murmured softly to himself, “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.”
The wind now began suddenly to increase in violence; and fearing to detain the child any longer, the old man desired her to hurry home at once, going with her himself to the top of the zigzag path which led up the cliff, and watching till he saw her little form disappear through the gate leading to the farm.
CHAPTER VI.
“He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind ... their soul is melted because of trouble.”
