a fellow in our crew who never drinks, smokes, chews, swears, nor
fights; but he's a jolly good fellow, strong as a lion, could lick any
of us if he has a mind to, and a first-rate worker. I never saw such a
boy." Both captain and crew agreed that James was a peacemaker, and
that he carried out his purpose without making enemies. Thorough and
prompt in everything, and unwilling to be a party to any wrong-doing,
he was regarded as a model worthy of imitation by all who knew him.

During the few months that he was on the canal boat, James fell into
the water fourteen times. The last time nearly cost him his life. It
was a dark and rainy night, and no one saw him jerked into the water.
The boat swept on, and just as he began to despair of receiving any
aid, his hand caught a rope in the darkness, and he drew himself into a
place of safety. He found that the rope that had served his purpose
had held fast by catching in a crevice on the edge of the deck. That
was all that had come between him and death. Never had James had such
serious thoughts in his mind as then, when he saw the rope and how it
had saved him.

At once he thought of his praying mother, and the over-ruling
Providence in which she so firmly believed. And at that moment he made
up his mind to leave the canal boat, and return to his home.

A few weeks afterwards, James was attacked by ague, and he decided to
go at once. It was eleven o'clock at night when he reached the house.
Looking through the window, he saw his mother by the light of the fire.
She was on her knees. Listening for a moment, he heard the words that
fell from her lips. She was praying for him. A moment later, mother
and son, once more reunited, were sobbing in each other's arms. Then
James told his mother all about his life on the canal, and how God had
preserved him almost by a miracle from drowning. After that he went to
bed, and next day was found to be so ill that he was laid up for
several weeks.

During that period Mrs. Garfield often spoke to James about his future,
and he agreed with his mother, that if God saved his life on that
night, He must have saved him for something. Then she brought her son
under the influence of the teacher of their school, who was preparing
to be a minister, and he soon showed James that the difference between
a scholar and a sailor is the difference between somebody and nobody.

James decided to continue his education. That was the turn