Alec made no reply. Donald, however, felt sure that the conduct and conversation of his Indian friends had had a great effect on his mind.
On the evening of the second day, the party reached the township, when the Indians conveyed Alec to Donald’s house. The sincerity of the chief was proved, when he refused to receive any reward for the service he had rendered.
“No, no, my friend,” he answered. “I rejoice to help brother Christians, for I remember the Lord’s words, ‘I was hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.’”
Alec, who had been laid on Donald’s bed, desired to bid farewell to the Indians before they took their departure, and to thank them for the service they had rendered him.
“Do not speak of it, friend,” answered the Indian. “Jesus, our Master, went about doing good. I only try to be like Him, and I very, very far away from that.”
“It is wonderful, very wonderful,” murmured Alec, after the Indians had left him. “I do not think my philosophy could have changed them as their faith in the Bible appears to have done.”
Notwithstanding this, it was long before Donald perceived the desired change in his friend’s heart.
The surprise of David may be supposed, when, on his arrival from the office, he found a stranger in the house, and discovered who he was, and though he grieved to see him in so sad a condition, yet he was thankful that he had thus been placed under his and his brother’s care. Like brothers, indeed, they watched over him, assisted by Mr Skinner, who, as they had to be constantly absent, proposed taking up his abode with them till Alec’s recovery.
“I shall make a capital nurse,” he said, “and may be able to minister to a mind diseased.”
Donald had also obtained the assistance of a surgeon, who at first seemed very doubtful whether Alec would ever recover the use of his limb, and expressed himself somewhat carelessly to that effect in the hearing of his patient. Alec groaned.