FROM PLOUGHSHARE TO PULPIT

A Tale of the Battle of Life

BY
GORDON STABLES, M.D., C.M.
(Surgeon Royal Navy)
AUTHOR OF “THE CRUISE OF THE SNOWBIRD,” “JUST LIKE JACK,”
“CHILDREN OF THE MOUNTAIN,” ETC. ETC.

“Who walked in glory and in pride,
Following his plough along the mountain-side”

SECOND EDITION.
London
JAMES NISBET & CO.
21 BERNERS STREET
Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co
At the Ballantyne Press
TO
MY OLD PROFESSOR
SIR WM. D. GEDDES
PRINCIPAL OF ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY
This Book is Dedicated
WITH SUNNY MEMORIES OF AULD LANG SYNE
BY
THE AUTHOR

CONTENTS

[BOOK I.
THE STUDENT AT HOME.]
CHAP. PAGE
[I.][ A DEATH THE MOST DREADFUL LOOMED BEFORE HIM][3]
[II.][ AT THE OLD FARM OF KILBUIE][11]
[III.][ THE PLOUGHMAN-STUDENT AT HOME][21]
[IV.][ AN IDYLLIC LIFE][30]
[V.][ SORROW NEVER COMES SINGLY—CHRIST-LIKE CHRISTIANITY][39]
[VI.][ SMASHING A BULLY—GENTLE WILLIE MUNRO][49]
[VII.][ THE LOVE-DARG—THE BALL AT KILBUIE][61]
[VIII.][ THE STORM—SNOWSHOES—A SLEIGH-RIDE][70]
[IX.][ THE ADVENTURE AT BRUCE’S CAVERN][81]
[BOOK II.
UPS AND DOWNS OF UNIVERSITY LIFE.]
[I.][ THE GREAT COMPETITION][93]
[II.][ VICTORY—POOR HERBERT GRANT][104]
[III.][ HARD WORK AND EARNEST STRUGGLES][114]
[IV.][ A STRANGE DUEL—BAD BOYS’ PRANKS][126]
[V.][ AMONG THE WHITE HARES—HOGMANAY NIGHT][137]
[VI.][ IN SNOW-TIME—A TOWN AND GOWN][147]
[VII.][ THE INSTALLATION RIOT][158]
[VIII.][ BACK AT THE DEAR OLD FARM][168]
[IX.][ WISE WEE JOHN AND WITTY EPPIE][178]
[X.][ LIFE AT JOHN’S COTTAGE—THE FISHING][185]
[XI.][ SINKS BEFORE THE VERY EYES OF THOSE ON SHORE][195]
[XII.][ A STRANGE TERROR CREEPS OVER SANDIE’S HEART][205]
[BOOK III.
FAR, FAR AT SEA.]
[I.][ “NAE POSSIBLE!” SAID TIBBIE][217]
[II.][ “REMEMBER, REMEMBER THIS FIFTH OF NOVEMBER”][227]
[III.][ “WE HAVE BEEN AS BROTHERS: WE ARE BROTHERS STILL”][237]
[IV.][ THE DANGER AND DIFFICULTY WAS TO COME][247]
[V.][ FIGHTING THE FIRELANDERS][257]
[VI.][ THE LAST OF THE BRAVE BARQUE “BOO-BOO-BOO”][267]
[VII.][ AFLOAT ON A DERELICT SHIP][273]
[VIII.][ CRUSOES—PREPARED FOR ANYTHING][281]
[IX.][ “O MY POOR, DEAR FATHER!” CRIED SANDIE][291]
[X.][ HOW IT ALL ENDED][302]