Danny, not to be outdone in this burst of patriotism, immediately started in with the lusty shout of, “Hurrah for the United States! Hurrah for the United States!”
Altogether it was a very patriotic little company that stood by the old stone ledge facing those blue-hazed mountains on that sunny afternoon and “yelled their heads off,” as Danny said, in honor of the Sons of Liberty, who were fighting in the trenches across the sea to give liberty to the world.
After the shouting and demonstration of the patriots had begun to wane, Nathalie put up her hand for silence, and then, in her simple way, the way that somehow always seemed to go right to the heart of every child, said very softly, “And now, children, let us show that we, too, each one of us, want to do what is right, to give of our best to make others happy. Let us show that, although we cannot go and fight in the trenches, we are still Sons of Liberty, by keeping a big, deep place in our hearts for the boys in the trenches, not only our American boys, but the boys of the Allies, every soldier of every nation who is fighting for the victory of peace and right.
“I know you all want to belong to the Sons of Liberty, that you would like to show that you are real soldiers, fighting for the right; and so, will you not bow your heads for a moment, and down in the big, deep place in your hearts, silently say a little prayer? Just ask God that He will bless the soldiers, these Sons of Liberty across the sea, who are fighting for you and me, and give them a great victory in this world’s battle for the rights of men, a victory that means happiness, love, and peace for every one in the world.”
CHAPTER XV
THE GALLERY OF THE GODS
There was a frightened look on the faces of the children for a moment or so, and then Sheila cried in a distressed tone, “But, Miss Natty, I don’t know how to pray that way.”
Danny immediately flung about and flashed an annihilating look upon the little girl, but Nathalie, drawing the child close, explained what a silent prayer meant. Then, as she solemnly bowed her head, every little head went down, and for the space of a moment or so, up there on that high mountain,—that Nathalie always felt must be very close to God,—there was a reverent silence, a sacred moment, as from each child-heart went up a prayer. Perhaps it was only a dumbly spoken word, or a reverent desire, but surely God heard.
As Nathalie raised her head, and the children followed her example,—evidently there had been some peeping eyes,—all but Jean, who still kept his head down, his pale lips slowly moving, there was a moment’s quiet, and then Nathalie exclaimed, “Oh, boys, what do you say to calling these rocks a fort?”
“Crackie! that will be dandy!” responded Danny quickly. “And, Miss Nathalie,” he added, his face lighting with sudden thought, “why can’t we call it Liberty Fort?”