The making of a man

by W. D. Flatt

“HE LEAPED FROM THE DECK INTO THE FOAMING SEA.”

As Sandy struggled his mind was not idle. A thousand and one thoughts ran through his mind. He wanted to live at that moment more than he had ever done before. He wanted to visit once more the home of his boyhood days, to take back the little Bible to his dear old mother, to kneel at her side and thank her for the Book that had helped to win him back to his God. He wanted, too, to thank the young man who had brought him back to a realization of his position and who, he knew now, was braving unusual peril for his sake. Sandy wanted to do something worth while in whatever remained to him of life. He prayed during these moments of agony, during this time of suspense between life and death. His heart cried out to God and, as is always the case, he was heard. As his power and strength seemed to be waning, and when he was about ready to give up, a strong arm grasped him in a vicelike grip. Robert had caught him under the arms and was swimming with his heavy burden toward the ship. When it was seen that the rescuer’s goal had been reached a cheer went up heartily from those on board. This, in turn, was drowned by the roaring and hissing of the waves. Robert was now making a supreme effort. Again and again he disappeared with his burden, and again and again mighty waves seemed to be trying to wrench his charge from his grasp. He realized that the life of his friend depended on him, and set himself to additional effort.

In the meantime Will had been watching the scene with a readiness second only to his brother. He, like Robert, had played and fought with the waves that dashed on the Orkney shores, and he, too, had gained from these struggles a courage which was only waiting to be tried. In the moments of waiting until it seemed his efforts would be necessary he also had removed his outer clothing and stood among the old tars of the crew ready to give himself when the time came. As was only natural, swimmers there were in numbers among these rough men, but not another was ready to tackle the job that the lads were ready to meet. Will watched his brother as closely as the drenching seas permitted, and when it seemed that his strength was failing he, without hesitation, plunged headlong into the sea and struck out with lengthy strokes which were the admiration of the crew. He knew Robert’s powers better than any of the others, but he realized that even a giant’s endurance could not last in such conditions, and he planned to relieve his brother of the burden which he knew must be so overwhelming to him. After a few moments he reached the side of the two struggling men and with some difficulty persuaded Robert to relinquish his hold on Sandy and finally, after continued struggling through the waves, which seemed reluctant to give up their prey, they reached the ship and were helped aboard.

At first it appeared surprising that while the two lads seemed to regain their usual strength immediately and were able to walk to their sleeping quarters, Sandy was almost altogether overcome, and it was necessary that efforts to revive him should be made. To those who thought about it, however, it showed that the victory won by the two lads proved at once that they had led clean lives and were possessed of the kind of courage which through all the history of the world has overcome the greatest obstacles. The first act of the brothers when they returned to the sleeping quarters was to get down on their knees and thank their Heavenly Father for the strength He had given them to save the life of a friend.

After another day the storm seemed to wreak its fury. The sun shone once more and prospects seemed much more favorable. How the lads were greeted after their heroic experience can well be appreciated. They had made a warm place in the hearts of the crew before, but now they had proved themselves heroes, and while not much of the feeling was expressed in words, they felt the goodwill of both captain and crew in a good many ways. In a few days, too, Sandy was about again quite as well as ever. Words would fail to tell his appreciation of what his friends had done for him.

Two weeks more of changeable weather was experienced, with wind enough to keep the ship well on her course, and then, all in a moment as it seemed, on one bright day endless fields of ice loomed up ahead. The captain, with glass in hand, stood on the bridge looking for an opening to the east, and after sailing along the apparently impenetrable barrier for several hours a narrow sheet of open water was finally encountered. The ship’s course was set for the open space, but when the spot which had formerly been clear was reached disappointment was manifest, for there was no open channel in evidence, but only grinding, crushing, pushing ice. They had come to the edge of the northern ice fields which, opening and closing at intervals, made it perilous for any ship built as they were at that time to attempt a passage. Nowadays a Canadian Government ice-crusher would have forced a way without difficulty over the ice-pack. Then, with a vessel built for ocean travelling and with little experience in ice, this was not possible. The captain, though, had had years of experience in Hudson Bay conditions and had sailed in the northern waters in the sealing and whaling trade years before. He knew that the ship must be kept clear of the dangerous field or it would be in constant peril of being crushed or pinched by the mass of ice which, pushed by the millions of tons of ice and the forces of wind and wave and tide behind, moved together with titanic force. So he was contented to follow a course in the open sea for a week in order to avoid these difficulties.

Following a southern course, at the end of several days the end of the ice field was reached and blue water was in evidence ahead. Suddenly a sight of much interest appeared to the young men when a whale was seen blowing off the port bow. The next morning, which was Sunday, brought joy to the hearts of all and an appreciation that the end of the voyage was approaching, with the lookout’s announcement that land was sighted. Some surprise was caused again when Sandy suggested a special service of thanksgiving. For weeks he had been doing his best to bring his friends of the crew to a realization of the responsibilities of life. In the sleeping quarters, when the men were off duty, he had talked to them as never before, and many who had sailed with him for years were impressed with the fervor of his prayers and could not help but be convinced of the staunch stand he had taken to serve his Maker as best he knew.

There was reason for rejoicing. The sight of land confirmed the result of the captain’s observations, and when it was known that after a week or ten days of clear sailing they would reach the end of the voyage, feelings of thankfulness and cheer were much in evidence. Smaller icebergs and less extensive ice fields were now encountered, and here the youthful employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company saw for the first time polar bears with their cubs, walrus, seal, and other animals of the kind which made their home in Hudson Bay waters.

Anyone who has occasion to cross the Atlantic now knows, or finds out before the passage is complete, that it is the custom to organize a ship’s concert. Even at this early date the custom had been established, and now that the end of the passage appeared to be in sight such entertainment was arranged for. In this everyone took part.