After that night Bob never again attempted to keep up his care-for-nothing-or-nobody tone before Charlie. He generally brought his dinner now to eat beside Charlie. The first time the Bible was brought out, when they had finished, which required a little courage at first, Bob got up and sauntered away; the second time he sat still and whistled popular song tunes in a subdued tone, while Charlie read to himself; the third time he sat quietly; the fourth day the Bible was brought out he shuffled about uneasily, and at last said, "You may as well read out if you must read; it's dull sitting here without anybody to speak to."
Charlie gladly agreed. "Let us read in turns," he said.
Bob did not object, for he read well, and was rather proud of it. After this the Bible reading was an established custom, and Bob got very much interested as he read the history of Joseph, Moses, and others. Hudson Brownlee, happening to pass one day, stopped to listen when he saw how they were occupied, and soon a third was added regularly to the little party. After a parable or any striking passage had been read they would each give their own idea of its meaning and teaching, spending much thought upon it in their eagerness to give it in the best and clearest way. Often during their work Hudson Brownlee, Bob, and Charlie too, would ponder over some passage they had heard or read, comparing the different opinions upon it, applying it, thinking it out, and turning it over in their mind, until some great truth would stand out from the rest, fixing itself immoveably in their hearts and understandings. And so this study of the Bible, begun without any real religious feeling (on Bob and Brownlee's part, at any rate), led them to higher things—to a knowledge of God's holiness, of their own sin and unworthiness, and their need of a Saviour.
But this was a work of time, and we must now go back a little in our history.
When Charlie had been two months down the mine as a trapper, he was advanced to a higher post and better wages as a putter. He might have had the increase of wages quite a month before, but he put off applying for the place until it was too late, and another boy had been appointed. Harry Greenwell lent him some elementary books on mechanics, for his old love for such things was as strong as ever, and now that he was putter he had many opportunities of examining the working of the engine stationed down the mine. Those were glorious days for Charlie when it was out of order, and the engineer had to come down; he would hover round him, holding the tools for the men, helping to lift or carry anything, glad of any excuse to be near. His questions were so sensible and thoughtful, and his suggestions sometimes, for a youth, so good, that the engineer became quite interested in him, and explained to him thoroughly the working of the engine, giving him really valuable teaching in mechanics; and this knowledge stood him in good stead, as you will hear.
On coming down to his work one morning he was surprised to find his favourite, the engine, at a stand-still. A number of the miners were near it, all talking together, trying to account for the accident, and deploring the absence of the engineer, who was away for a day or two's holiday.
Mr. Carlton, the viewer, looked vexed and annoyed; he was asking the overman to send to a mine a few miles off for their engineer. Charlie made his way to the engine, and soon saw what was wrong. It was not much, and he felt sure that if he had the help of a pair of strong arms he could get it into working order.
In his excitement he pushed his way to Mr. Carlton, and exclaimed, "I know what is wrong with her, sir; if you will just come and look, sir, I'll show you."
Mr. Carlton, surprised and amused, followed him, and Charlie, stooping down and pointing up, full of animation, explained so clearly and intelligently the nature of the misfortune, and how it might be remedied, that Mr. Carlton, no longer with the amused expression on his face, called to one of the men, "Come here, Shields, and help him."
In an hour's time Charlie's pet was working away as hard as ever.