ested a private interview with his father
and mother. He informed them that a great joy had come into his life
in being able to give a bankers' order for the payment of four pounds
per month to them as long as they lived. The saintly couple's mental
process became confused. They entered upon a long disquisition of how
much affluence might affect their humility and endanger their religious
life. The noble son urged that their faith in God was too strong to
allow the possession of money to betray them into indifference. The
father being spokesman replied on behalf of his wife that they accepted
this bountiful goodness, "And believe me, my son," he said, "our hearts
are too full to say all we feel; but may the great God have you in His
holy keeping, and preserve you from the snares and fascinations of
worldliness."

And the aged mother interjected by adding a supplementary petition that
he should be saved from succumbing to the dangers of his profession.

"Take this present from your father and me," she added, handing him a
new Bible which she had kept concealed under her black silk apron until
the opportune moment came, "and when you are tossed on the troubled
ocean, read about Jesus and the sea, and trust in the Lord to bring you
back to us."

These simple words were delivered with compressed vehemence. A big lump
stuck in Archie's throat, for he felt that it was his mother's farewell
benediction, and that he would never see either of them on earth again.
He would have liked to have responded in a few endearing phrases, but a
dumb pain seized his heart and made him inarticulate. He tenderly
embraced the old people and passed from their presence with a heavy
heart, impressed with a consciousness that their next meeting would be
beyond the tomb. A large procession of townspeople met at the station,
in order to give the Captain and his wife a hearty send-off. Even the
Provost came to say good-bye to them.

On their arrival home they found a letter had come from their friend
Captain Wilkins. It was dated from Malta, and told a sickening tale of
many disasters before getting away from Scutari. Two attempts at
robbery had failed at the cost of one of the crew losing his life, and
another being seriously wounded. Wilkins wrote: "It was bad policy
making any noise about the big robbery, as it only made them
revengeful." This news distressed the Macvies, but they could do
nothing more than extend their sympathy, and this was