Surely those
prayers, rising from many a humble hearth, were not unheeded by the King
of kings. Then, I say to those who themselves believe, teach, oh, teach
the poor to pray! for their own sakes, for your sake, for England's
sake. Such prayers alone can maintain her as she is--great, glorious,
and free.

The Martins would not let me go to the village inn, as I proposed, but
insisted on my taking a shake-down in the common room with George. The
rest slept in a room above. The moonlight came through the lattice
window. I saw George sitting up in his bed.

"Are you asleep, Williams!" he asked, gently.

"No," I replied.

"Then tell me now about poor James," he answered.

I was not slack in obeying his wishes, and for many an hour I went on
telling him all the anecdotes I could think of connected with James
Martin, from the moment I first knew him till I saw him committed to his
watery grave.

"Thank you, master," he said quietly when I ceased; and as I lay down I
heard many a sob bursting from his sturdy bosom. "That lad may be a
Chaw-bacon," I thought to myself; "but he has got a heart for all the
world just like a sailor's."

By daybreak next morning the family were astir, and went cheerfully
about their daily labours. George had some two or three miles to go to
the farm on which he found employment; the old man and Susan had work
near at hand.

I spent a whole day in that quiet village, wandering about among the
fields and lanes, and over the downs, till the family assembled again in
the evening when their work was done. The next morning I took my
departure. I had learned from a shipmate what would certainly be
acceptable in a country district, and had brought with me a package of
tea and sugar, which I left as a parting gift for poor James's mother.
I remember that I put it down somewhat abruptly on the table after I had
shaken hands, exclaiming, "That's for you, mother!" and with my small
bundle at the end of my stick, I rushed out of the cottage, and took the
way back to Bristol.

That was the only glimpse of English country-life I ever got, till--an
old, broken-down man--my career at sea was ended. I was on shore often
enough, but what scenes did I witness among docks, and narrow streets,
and in the precincts of great commercial towns? What can the sailor who
never strays beyond these know of all the civilising influences of a
well-ordered country home? As I say, I never forgot that quiet s