And he opened the book to these words:—
"'Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.... Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.'"
"How came you to read there?" said Atwater with a smile.
"I don't know," said Frank. "But it seems meant for you—don't it?"
"Yes, and it somehow makes me happy. Go on."
And Frank read,—
"'Think not I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.'"
"That is for both of us, for all of us, for all our people to-day," said Atwater. "I believe it is the struggle of Satan against Christ that has brought on this war. To attempt to build up a nation on human slavery—that is Satan. And I believe, wicked as we are at the north too, that the principle of freedom we are fighting for is the opposite of Satan. And whoever brings that into the world, brings a war that will never cease until the right triumphs, and the wrong ceases forever."
Frank was astonished. He had never suspected that in this stiff, reserved soldier there dwelt the spirit which, when their tongues are loosed, makes men eloquent.
Atwater had roused up, and spoken with earnestness. But his glow passed, and he said quietly,—