you will permit me to become an advocate
for that poor man and his son, as I think their case is one in which
life and death are probably concerned!" "Really, my good young man, you
may spare your advocacy, I'm not to be duped with such tales as you've
heard." "By the tale, sir, if tale you call it," I returned, "which the
father told, I think, any man might be guided in his charity; but really
I think the most pitiful story was to be read in their faces." "Do
you think so? Well, if that's your opinion, I'm sure you have a fair
opportunity of being charitable; as for me, I have no more time to
lose with either you or them," said he, going into a comfortable house,
whilst I could have fairly seen him up to the neck in the blessed
element about us. I here stepped over, and instantly desired the old man
to hand me the fivepence, telling him at the same time that there
was something better in prospect, as a proof of which I gave him
half-a-crown. I then returned to the priest, and laid his fivepence down
on the table before him; for I had the generosity, the fire, and the
candor of youth about me, unrepressed by the hardening experience of
life. "What's this, sir?" said he. "Your money, sir," I replied--"it
is such a very trifle, that it would be of no service to them, and they
will be enabled to go home without it; the old man returns it." "That is
as much as to say," he replied, sarcastically, "that you will patronize
them yourself; I wish you joy of it. Was it to witness the distresses of
others that you came to the island, let me ask?" "Perhaps I came from a
worse motive," I returned. "I haven't the least doubt of it," said he;
"but move off--one word of insolence more," said he, stretching to a
cutting whip, for the use of which he was deservedly famous. "I will cut
you up, sirrah, while I'm able to stand over you." "Upon my word," said
I, extending my feet one after another, "you have cut me up pretty
well already, I think; but," I added, with coolness, "is that, sir, the
weapon of a Christian?" "Is it the weapon of a Christian, sir? whatever
weapon it is, you will soon feel the weight of it," said he, brandishing
it over my head. "My good father," said I, "do you remember, since
nothing else will restrain you, that the laws of the country will not
recognize such horsewhip Christianity?" "The laws of the country. Oh,
God help it for a country! Yes! yes! excellent. Here Michael--I say,
come here--drive out this follow.