after all, the most important work of c. b.’s life was steadily progressing without hindrance of any kind, the spiritual education of captain taber. that fine man, in spite of his late advice to c. b. about humility, was now exceedingly humble himself and ready to admit his absolute indebtedness to c. b. for his present peace of mind, and what in religious terminology would be called his growth in grace. he certainly was in some respects an entirely changed man since his accident, although it must not for a moment be supposed that he was ever anything but just, kind and brave. it was only in the one thing needful that he was then lacking, and that had now been supplied through the agency of his friend, so that he had become a centre of spirituality from which continually emanated a sweet aroma of content and love of all mankind.
the captain and chief officer of the golden gate spent much time with captain taber, although it must be said that they did not take to c. b. very much. the sea tradition was strong with them, and as they looked upon c. b. as a sort of menial in his personal attendance upon the captain, they felt that discipline forbade them giving him any opportunity to impose. he never noticed their reserve, in fact he was almost impervious to the slights that most of us resent so much, because of his want of[pg 245] self-consciousness, which went a long way to account for his happiness. as soon as either the captain or the mate came to have a yarn with his patient he would, first making sure that all was in order, retire on deck, where he was always in request, and remain there until his friend was alone again. in this way he made the acquaintance of nearly everybody in the ship and enjoyed himself very much, especially when the vessel drew into the bad-weather zone, and gales of wind with heavy seas kept the passengers below. but one afternoon, as he was engaged in earnest conversation with one of the quartermasters whose turn it was to look after the promenade deck, he saw with a thrill of horror a female emerge from the saloon, cross the deck to the lee rail, deliberately mount it and topple overboard. as soon as he had seen her making for the rail he started to run towards her, so that he was on the spot almost in time to catch her by her clothing. he just missed her, however, and with a roar of “stop the ship!” that was heard high above the gale, he plunged after her. a few mighty strokes and he was by her side, only just in time to snatch her long hair and fight his way from the ship to avoid the indraught of the propeller, which if not stopped in time means awful mutilation to a body in the water, and the strongest swimmer coming within its vortex is entirely helpless.
the ship was stopped so promptly that he was but a couple of hundred yards away, but the sea was running very heavily with breaking crests, and great as was his strength and skill, the burden of a woman to support who could still struggle was a task that could not be endured for long. as usual in merchant ships, especially steamers in those days, the boats were secured as if they were never intended[pg 246] to be used; not only so, but because of gross neglect the lashings and gripes were rusted and clogged with paint, while the boats themselves, never having been in the water for months nor having any water in them through being carefully covered in, were leaky as sieves.
consequently it was nearly twenty minutes before the boat was in the water, and when she was, for lack of ability to handle her it looked for some time as if her lowering was going to cost several more lives. and all this time captain taber in his berth was suffering mental tortures, having been informed of the cause of the uproar by the japanese berth attendant. nor was his anxiety selfish. he could not bear the idea of his faithful friend being done to death like that, he to whom the water was as familiar as the dry land. at last in his agony he betook himself to prayer and was immediately comforted. not only so but the quiet that had reigned for some time gave place to tramplings overhead and shoutings, showing that something had been or was being done.
it was fortunate that the vessel had stopped so promptly, as well as that she had such little way on her at the time, steaming as she was head to sea. otherwise it would have been impossible to save the two lives owing to the bungling in boat handling. as it was, when the boat did reach them c. b. was just at the end of his resources, and when lifted into the boat was almost as far gone as the woman he had saved. getting back to the ship, although she was handled with much skill, was a series of wonderful escapes, and but for the promptitude of the second mate, who suggested pouring a lot of oil over the lee bow as the boat was brought alongside, which smoothed the turbulent sea and permitted[pg 247] them to hook on the boat with comparative ease, there must have been disaster.
the two rescued ones were lifted out of the boat in the presence of all the passengers, who had entirely forgotten their seasickness and debility in their anxiety. the bodies were borne below and the doctor worked upon the woman with the greatest perseverance, being at last rewarded by feeling her heart beat and some warmth come from her breast. from thence the task was easy, and the first to convey to the anxiously waiting skipper below was c. b. himself, who apologized for causing his beloved charge so much anxiety, but explained that he could not see the woman drown.
then the skipper broke down, for he was very weak, and cried like a child, sobbing out that he had felt that if he had lost his friend he must have died too, and that he could never be sufficiently grateful to god for sparing him. while they were thus enjoying their reunion came the captain of the ship, who was visibly moved, and, holding out his hand to c. b., said—
“young man, i’m proud to have you aboard my ship, for you are indeed a man. you may hardly believe it, but the husband of that lady whose life you have saved is only just aware of what has happened. both he and she have been shockingly ill, for it seems that they are very bad sailors. and she, in addition to horrible seasickness, had a raging toothache, which must have driven her mad for the time. she says that she quite remembers jumping overboard, says it seemed to her to be the only way out of her misery, but she is very sorry indeed to have given so much trouble. neither she nor her husband realize yet what the trouble has been, but their seasickness has left them and i guess you’ll[pg 248] hear from them to-morrow. hope you’re none the worse for your anxiety, taber, now you’ve got your chum back again. now i must be off, for the weather’s pretty bad still.” and he strode away.
next morning the weather had become beautiful again and c. b., having seen his patient all right, was about to take a stroll forward when he was seized by a man with red eyes and wild air, who said—
“are you the hero who preserved my dear one for me?”
c. b. was completely taken by surprise and stammered out something, he knew not what in reply. but almost immediately there came bustling round a crowd of the passengers, as full of excitement as if the ship had been on fire, and poor c. b. wished he was anywhere out of it. still the man who had first accosted him kept hold of his hand, occasionally patting it and murmuring disjointed sentences, until at last the captain of the ship burst into the group, saying—
“now, ladies and gentlemen, this isn’t fair to our friend. as for you, sir,” turning to the man who was still holding c. b.’s hand, “you must think of yourself for your wife’s sake as well as your own. we shan’t be into san francisco for three days, and you’ll have plenty of time between now and then to thank mr. christmas all you want.”
c. b. cast a grateful look upon the captain and fled forrard among the crew, where he was received as one of themselves, no fuss being made over him, but lots of questions asked about his swimming powers. here he was quite at home, for such was the respect that every one down there felt for him that they modified their usual full-flavoured speech because they knew it was unpleasant to him, although the boss of the forecastle, a burly californian, said after[pg 249] he had gone that he felt quite weak with the strain he had put upon himself in the matter of speech. “but,” he added, “i don’t grudge it him, for he’s the whitest man i’ve struck for a long, long spell, if he can’t stand a cuss word.”
the husband of the rescued lady having perfectly recovered begged to be allowed to meet c. b. again, and tender his thanks in company with his wife. so the meeting came off, when it appeared that they were a wealthy american pair, named ogden, travelling in search of health, childless and most tenderly attached to each other. at first the gentleman’s proposal was to adopt c. b. as their son with all the advantages of such a position, but to this our friend returned so decided a negative that it was not again mooted. then the pair wished to make c. b. a present of a large sum of money, to which he replied that he had no use for it, that he had done nothing that he would not have done for a beggar, and that he hoped they would think no more of the matter.
thus coming to a deadlock there was no means of ridding themselves of their almost intolerable burden of gratitude, until c. b. said—
“i cannot take anything from you, not because of pride, but because i don’t want money; i hate the idea of getting fond of it, for i have learned how evil a thing it can be. but if you must do something to please me, help the poor whom i hear so much about and don’t know anything of. our lord says that the poor ye have always with you, and so you can never be short of means of doing good if you have got a lot of money. in any case, i won’t take your money; i’ve done nothing for it, and the only thing it could do for me would be to make me discontented with what i now see to be[pg 250] the happiest life on earth, that is, my dear island home.”
gratitude and the business instinct struggled for the mastery in mr. ogden’s breast, coupled perhaps with a little resentment at c. b.’s attitude, for he was one of those men who hate being under an obligation. at last he went to captain taber and asked him to take c. b. in hand and show him the error of his ways. of course captain taber flatly refused, knowing c. b. as he did, while his own fine honest pride gloried in the same quality being possessed by c. b., as he thought. so then mr. ogden was compelled to give up, and went about among the other passengers discontentedly airing his grievance and causing much mirth at the unusual spectacle of a man growling because he couldn’t get another man to accept his money.
the passage drew near to its close, and c. b., after rather anxious watching of his patient, came to the conclusion that there was some slight improvement in his strength. in consultation with the doctor that gentleman pronounced him as strong as he could ever expect to be, and that it would entirely depend upon his treatment during the long crossing of the continent whether he would have a short or a fairly long lease of life with his friends. upon this information c. b. devoted all his time to getting news about the travelling, best methods, little tips about accommodation, hotels, etc., secretly grieving for his lack of experience which might prevent him doing the best possible for his friend. the gentleman to whom he applied for information, purely by accident, was the millionaire father of miss stewart, who was apparently delighted to be of service to him. and during their conversation c. b. said in perfect innocence—
[pg 251]
“i hope miss stewart is well; i haven’t seen her about the deck lately. i suppose i notice it more because she used to be the life and soul of the ship.”
old man stewart bent his shaggy eyebrows upon the speaker and replied very slowly and distinctly—
“yes, i guess her health’s all right as far as we know. she isn’t what she used to be though, an’ i’ll admit that her keeping down as she has done is more than a little puzzling to her mother and me. and i’d about half made up my mind to ask you if you could give us any idea of what ailed her?”
the face that c. b. turned to mr. stewart was a study for a picture of complete blank astonishment. for a few moments he could not speak, but sat with his mouth partly open, while mr. stewart never relaxed his steady gaze into the young man’s face. then he found his tongue and said with a sort of burst—
“why, mr. stewart, what can you mean? except at the outset of the passage, when she arranged for me to tell the story of my life, i have not exchanged a dozen words with your daughter, nor have i for the last fortnight scarcely had her in my mind. it suddenly dawned upon me as i talked with you that i had not seen her about in her usual lively fashion, and on the impulse of the moment i asked you of her health. and now you say you thought of asking me if i had any idea what was ailing her!”
mr. stewart’s brow relaxed, his grim mouth formed a smile, and he said cheerily—
“all right, sonny, i’m glad to see i hain’t made no mistake in ye. forget what i said and put it down to an old man’s anxiety for his only child. an’ now about that journey of yours, i should recommend”[pg 252]—and the old gentleman went off into minutest details of trains, hotels, etc., in which c. b. followed painfully after him, feeling at every word how far from this wonderful world of struggle and stress he was removed. but what the reader will think of c. b.’s density with regard to miss stewart i do not know. it is hard for us to believe in a fancy free, unconceited youngster now, one who could have such a question put to him by a father concerning his daughter, as mr. stewart had just done to c. b., and not feel flattered and more conceited than before. but the old man showed his wonderful knowledge of human nature in dealing with c. b. as he did. in spite of his cynical disbelief in most, if not all, his fellow-men he paid unconscious tribute to c. b. in taking the step he did, and when he found his estimate justified he was inclined to be puffed up and say, “i told you so, i knew he was twenty-four carat stamped on every link. my judgment against the world.”
many people, however, would exercise their privilege of sitting in judgment and call c. b. just plain fool. they are welcome, since such an ex parte statement does not affect the case. i must go on to say that c. b. dismissed the whole matter from his mind, which indeed, as the distance from the golden gate of its namesake was measured by hours, became more full of anxiety concerning his helpless charge than ever he had known it before. then came the arrival, the breaking up of pleasant little coteries such as are formed in a few days on ship-board, and in many cases the parting from people whom you would long to spend your life with but have to part from and usually see no more.
in accordance with a pre-arranged plan c. b. made his friend comfortable and did not worry him[pg 253] until the rest of the passengers were out of the vessel, so that he could take a quiet, unhurried farewell of his friends the officers of the ship. everybody had gone; none, however, without a hearty handshake and a pleasant word for c. b., many assuring him of what was really true—that they would never forget him, when a shore boat came alongside bearing a man in some sort of a uniform, who as soon as he came aboard inquired for mr. c. b. adams. it took some little time for the unaccustomed address to be realized, but at last the message was handed to c. b. and the messenger said with easy nonchalance that he’d wait for an answer. and subsiding into a deck chair produced his toothpick and made himself comfortable.
the missive was brief and businesslike. it ran—
“private car mary a. stewart waits at the dépôt to receive captain taber, mr. c. b. adams, and any two friends they may select for through transportation to new bedford, massachusetts. all charges are paid through to destination, and all railway men are advised to render any aid or service needed. it is advised that the party start with the least possible delay though no time is fixed. oliver p. starbuck, gen. mgr.”
c. b. simply could not believe the plain statement made, though it was impossible to misunderstand it. so he handed the letter to captain taber, who read and murmured, “thank god. you see,” he went on to c. b., “that money can do something. i was dreading in every fibre of my bones that awful journey home, and here with a stroke of his pen one of our many wealthy friends, who does not think enough of the act to let us know who he is so that we may thank him, makes the way smooth and[pg 254] plain for us from the pacific to the atlantic. ah me, i’m being highly favoured, and i more than half suspect that i ought to thank you for it. now don’t get up on your hind legs and make a fuss, because i feel sure i’m right.”
the skipper of the golden gate was called in consultation, and he agreed that this royal courtesy must have been paid by one of the passengers who wished to remain unknown. and he said that he could not help wishing that he was coming with them, for his wife was in liverpool, and he had not seen her for three years, while such a chance might never occur again as long as he lived. be sure that c. b. cordially echoed the captain’s wish, for he dreaded the ordeal which he felt awaited him more than he had ever feared anything before, but only because of his anxiety for the helpless man under his charge.
however, as in all such cases, there was little time for regrets or speculation, the time pressed and departure could not be delayed. so gathering all together c. b. and his charge were conveyed ashore, and through the turbulent life of the city to the station, or dépôt as it is called in the united states. the driver of the conveyance they chartered upon getting ashore knew his business thoroughly and took them straight to where the private car was standing in lonely majesty, side tracked. and as they drew up alongside of it there appeared, to their intense astonishment, the gaunt form of mr. stewart, who was accompanied by his daughter.
a look of perfect satisfaction was upon both their faces which changed into an amused smile as they noted the stare of perfect bewilderment upon the countenance of c. b. it remained there until captain taber said, “come, christmas, what’s wrong with[pg 255] ye? have ye seen a ghost?” then c. b. started, apologized, and explained that somehow he had never expected to see any of the ship’s late company again; he felt that they were scattered far and wide. then mr. stewart, having seen the captain carefully placed within the palatial car and made comfortable on the beautifully upholstered lounge with plenty of soft cushions, sat down by his side, while c. b. stood looking around him in dumbfounded amazement at the somewhat crude splendours of the car.
beckoning his daughter to a seat by his side the worthy american began his explanation by saying—
“when i learned that you had been invited to make the journey across the continent in a private car i hoped that you would have had company that would be helpful to you. and just as i heard that you were going alone i received a telegram from boston, calling me over there on urgent business, so i calculated that perhaps you wouldn’t mind my daughter and myself being your guests for a week. we may be of some use if you can put up with us.”
captain taber turned upon the speaker a look of grateful affection and murmured—
“don’t be afraid, mr. stewart, that i shall make a fuss, but do let me say god bless you for your lovingkindness in lending us this car, for i knew it was yours as soon as i heard the name, and for watching over us since. he,” jerking his thumb in c. b.’s direction, “won’t bother you, i know, won’t bother his head a little bit to whom the car belongs, looks upon the whole affair as just another instance of god almighty’s particular care. i confess i can’t think yet that the lord looks after me to that extent, and yet i don’t know but what i will before long. if anything could make me it would be association with that fellow. he’s—but there, i[pg 256] can’t talk about him without kinder choking! must be getting weak in the head.”
then they passed to other topics, mr. stewart proving himself to be a golden talker upon an immense variety of subjects, while the car, having been very gently attached to the engine, began to glide out of the station with an easy motion almost akin to that of a ship, the great machine being beautifully balanced upon many springs so that even the casually laid road-bed did not make it jolt, only sway and roll slightly, keeping up the nautical comparison. meanwhile miss stewart had taken c. b. out upon the observation platform and was pointing out to him the various wonders through which they were passing, finding intense enjoyment in his utter bewilderment and childlike curiosity. and when it dawned upon her that he had never even seen a railroad before, hardly realized that such a thing existed, she experienced all the pleasure of a generous nature at being able to give another such a novel series of delightful new sensations.
and such sensations! c. b. was always so calm and satisfied with the way that he believed god was leading him that any one, even his intimate friends, might have been forgiven for calling him stolid, unimpressionable, really not competent to feel very much. but then no one could enter into the quiet sanctuary of his mind where sat enthroned his eternal friend and guide. occasionally, as miss stewart pointed out to him some new marvel of nature, such as travellers have long chanted the praise of, on that wonderful railroad line from san francisco to new york, he would hold up his hands and murmur—
“how wonderful and glorious are your works, o my father.” and at such times she would gaze[pg 257] upon him with awe as feeling that he was in a very special sense favoured by the most high.
then when the train flew along some swaying cobweb-like trestle bridge with the mist beneath hiding the awful depths and a suggestion of impalpability, of travelling upon the track of a moonbeam, was impossible to avoid, she would cling to him in real terror, feeling, as all sensitive intelligences must in those situations, how tenuous a thread separated them from the next world. but she always failed to see any change in the steady gaze of his eye, or to feel any tremor in his firmly knit muscles, not even when they swung out around some tremendous curve on the scarp of a mountain and the struts beneath them sprung and complained at their weight.
at last she felt a little piqued; it seemed so strange that this entirely inexperienced man could be so free from any apprehension while she who had seen it all so often before trembled to her heart’s core. was it insensibility or inability to grasp the wonderful facts, or was it superiority of mind to all things happening upon earth because of intimacy with the creator of all things? and so she asked him why he seemed so unimpressed with all these marvels that all other people held in such awe and reverence; did he not really think them very wonderful and inspiring? and he, turning his deep eyes from her, answered—
“my dear young lady, it is all very wonderful, but when i look up at the stars and the sun, or out upon the sea, i feel more impressed at these glorious works of my father. and i feel very small but very happy; i think that he who does all these things by the word of his power condescends to notice me, to assure me that i am precious in his sight. i am[pg 258] not unconscious or dense really—i do admire and wonder, but i cannot for one moment forget the glory of god which is to this amazing show as the substance is to the shadow. i feel much more than this, but i cannot say, i only love and worship.”
alas for miss stewart’s happiness, she had grown to love this simple stalwart man with an intensity that frightened her, as she had felt that she was absolutely proof against any feeling of the kind. to all her openness and kindness he responded respectfully yet almost as her equal, but though the invitation to do so was almost palpable he never overstepped an invisible line drawn between them. old man stewart was indeed wise when he decided that this was a man to be trusted to the limit.
and so the great car sped on through freezing cold and scorching heat, parched up desert and glowing prairie, until it drew near to the young giant of the west, chicago, that centre of the marvels of the united states, humming with evil, fragrant with good, but in any case fully, luxuriantly alive.
