At first his knee did pain him considerably even at the least motion; but gradually, as he gained in health and strength, this wore away, and he could be drawn quite a long distance and then left out in some nice sheltered spot, with his book beside him, just to drink in the health-giving breezes.
Uncle Jack’s own strong steady hand was usually the one which drew him about for many days. It seemed to please the kindly sailor to do as much for his little nephew. And no one could pull the chair so well, Harry thought, for he never felt much pain when Uncle Jack was in charge. But by-and-by Walter was allowed to try his skill at it, and very proud and happy he was to try. The best days were those when Harry
could be taken right down to the shore and set upon one of the more sheltered rocks; but that was only when the weather was very dry and sunny and there was not too much wind for the patient.
One very fine afternoon, however, quite a large party assembled at the Shelf Rock. There was Harry in his couch, laid snugly in the centre of the group, Bobby and Freddy, Janey and Lucy dancing round him, mamma with a large basket of good things encamped close by, and papa, Uncle Jack, Walter, and good Dr. Hammond, all there to enjoy the family “picnic!” But before the feast was spread the good ship Rover was to be launched once more, and that was done by Uncle Jack’s well-skilled hands, after which he put the guiding-string in Harry’s white little hand and bade him hold it firm. Harry’s eyes sparkled and his colour mounted; for he felt the full pleasure
of this moment, free from any mean or selfish thought.
After all this Mr. Leslie began to think it would be best just to let Harry remain all the summer at Kingshaven, so he secured another cottage nearer the sea than their present quarters; and here Harry remained, and the children by turns, with nurse to keep order, and the parents looking down now and again to see that all was right. Walter had, of course, to go back to school, and he was dux every day now since Harry was off the field. However, next year Harry managed quite to make up to him again, being ever so much stronger then; and in due time the two boys went to Rugby together, remaining fast friends as before.
But we are going on too fast.
Let us look back first to the little seaside cottage where Harry is so happy—
never wearying of Kingshaven, as indeed he had declared he never would, even when he knew not how long his stay was to be. He is taken out to the beach every day by careful hands, and is gathering strength bit by bit. Often he is carried over to the Shelf Rock, from there to guide with his own hand the beautiful gliding movements of his pretty ship. Harry feels that this past time of trial has been a blessing to him, since it has saved him from growing into a grasping or selfish boy; and he looks back with pleasure on a sight he did not see—the first voyage of
The Good Ship “Rover.”