"Very good."
The captain then took from his pocket half-a-crown, and gave it as a reward to the lighthouse-man for his solicitude and trouble!
One of the rules for the regulation of lighthouse-work is that the keeper should record the particulars of all occurrences in a journal which is provided for the purpose. Mr. Darling entered a full account of the aid he had rendered to this vessel in his book; but it shows the kindly character of the man that he did not say a word about the abuse, or the meanness of the East Indiaman's captain.
William Darling was fitted to be the father of a heroine, for he longed to do good for its own sake, and not for selfish reward. He minded his own business well; but when he saw other people in danger, he could not help wishing and trying to save them. He knew that "Prevention is better than cure," and that to save a vessel from going on the rocks was a far nobler thing to do than to assist in getting her off again, and looking after the salvage. Nor was he to be deterred from his humane and kindly purpose by scorn and lack of appreciation in others. And this little incident is worthy of record, for it shows his character, and teaches lessons to us all—lessons which, in these times of eager ambition and selfishness, are very necessary. Let us go and do likewise. If we cannot save a ship we can perhaps save a soul, if only we are patient, persevering, and filled with a loving and Christian sympathy. It is just this desire for usefulness, this willingness to be servants or ministers, and to spend and be spent for others, that the world wants now. It can do without many great men, but it needs more than ever a multitude of kindly hearts, loving spirits, and willing hands. Who will help to swell the number?
"Howe'er it be, it seems to me
'Tis only noble to be good;
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood."
CHAPTER IX.
AUGUST PIC-NIC'S PLEASURES.
"There was not on that day a speck to stain
The azure heaven, the blessed sun alone,
In unapproachable divinity,
Careered, rejoicing in his fields of light.
How beautiful beneath the bright blue sky
The billows heave, one glowing green expanse,
Save where along the bending line of shore
Such hue is thrown, as when the peacock's neck
Assumes its proudest tint of amethyst,
Embathed in emerald glory! All the flocks
Of ocean are abroad. Like floating foam
The sea-gulls rise and fall upon the waves.
With long protruding neck the cormorants
Wing their far flight aloft; and round and round
The plovers wheel, and give their note of joy.
It was a day that sent into the heart
A summer feeling. Even the insect swarms,
From their dark nooks and coverts, issued forth
To sport through one day of existence more.
The solitary primrose on the bank
Seemed now as though it had no cause to mourn
Its brief Autumnal birth. The rocks and shores,
The forest and the everlasting hills,
Smiled in that joyful sunshine; they partook
The universal blessing."—Southey.
Grace expected company!