black rock-第12章

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Geordie　shot　a　suspicious　glance　at　me；　but　I　kept　my　face　like　a
summer　morn；　and　he　replied　cautiously

'Ay；　he's　no'　that　streect：　but　he　maun　exerceese　discreemination。'

Geordie　was　none　the　less　determined；　however；　that　Billy　should
'come　forrit'；　but　as　to　the　manager；　who　was　a　member　of　the
English　Church；　and　some　others　who　had　been　confirmed　years　ago；
and　had　forgotten　much　and　denied　more；　he　was　extremely　doubtful；
and　expressed　himself　in　very　decided　words　to　the　minister

'Ye'll　no'　be　askin'　forrit　thae　Epeescopawlyun　buddies。　　They
juist　ken　naething　ava。'

But　Mr。　Craig　looked　at　him　for　a　moment　and　said；　〃Him　that　cometh
unto　Me　I　will　in　no　wise　cast　out；〃'　and　Geordie　was　silent；
though　he　continued　doubtful。

With　all　these　somewhat　fantastic　features；　however；　there　was　no
mistaking　the　earnest　spirit　of　the　men。　　The　meetings　grew　larger
every　night；　and　the　interest　became　more　intense。　　The　singing
became　different。　　The　men　no　longer　simply　shouted；　but　as　Mr。
Craig　would　call　attention　to　the　sentiment　of　the　hymn；　the　voices
would　attune　themselves　to　the　words。　　Instead　of　encouraging
anything　like　emotional　excitement；　Mr。　Craig　seemed　to　fear　it。

'These　chaps　are　easily　stirred　up；'　he　would　say；　'and　I　am
anxious　that　they　should　know　exactly　what　they　are　doing。　　It　is
far　too　serious　a　business　to　trifle　with。'

Although　Graeme　did　not　go　downstairs　to　the　meetings；　he　could　not
but　feel　the　throb　of　the　emotion　beating　in　the　heart　of　the
community。　　I　used　to　detail　for　his　benefit；　and　sometimes　for　his
amusement；　the　incidents　of　each　night。　　But　I　never　felt　quite
easy　in　dwelling　upon　the　humorous　features　in　Mrs。　Mavor's
presence；　although　Craig　did　not　appear　to　mind。　　His　manner　with
Graeme　was　perfect。　　Openly　anxious　to　win　him　to　his　side；　he　did
not　improve　the　occasion　and　vex　him　with　exhortation。　　He　would
not　take　him　at　a　disadvantage；　though；　as　I　afterwards　found；　this
was　not　his　sole　reason　for　his　method。　　Mrs。　Mavor；　too；　showed
herself　in　wise　and　tender　light。　　She　might　have　been　his　sister；
so　frank　was　she　and　so　openly　affectionate；　laughing　at　his
fretfulness　and　soothing　his　weariness。

Never　were　better　comrades　than　we　four；　and　the　bright　days
speeding　so　swiftly　on　drew　us　nearer　to　one　another。

But　the　bright　days　came　to　an　end；　for　Graeme；　when　once　he　was
able　to　go　about；　became　anxious　to　get　back　to　the　camp。　　And　so
the　last　day　came；　a　day　I　remember　well。　　It　was　a　bright；　crisp
winter　day。

The　air　was　shimmering　in　the　frosty　light。　　The　mountains；　with
their　shining　heads　piercing　through　light　clouds　into　that
wonderful　blue　of　the　western　sky；　and　their　feet　pushed　into　the
pine　masses；　gazed　down　upon　Black　Rock　with　calm；　kindly　looks　on
their　old　grey　faces。　　How　one　grows　to　love　them；　steadfast　old
friends！　　Far　up　among　the　pines　we　could　see　the　smoke　of　the
engine　at　the　works；　and　so　still　and　so　clear　was　the　mountain　air
that　we　could　hear　the　puff　of　the　steam；　and　from　far　down　the
river　the　murmur　of　the　rapids。　　The　majestic　silence；　the　tender
beauty；　the　peace；　the　loneliness；　too；　came　stealing　in　upon　us；
as　we　three；　leaving　Mrs。　Mavor　behind　us；　marched　arm…in…arm　down
the　street。　　We　had　not　gone　far　on　our　way；　when　Graeme；　turning
round；　stood　a　moment　looking　back；　then　waved　his　hand　in
farewell。　　Mrs。　Mavor　was　at　her　window；　smiling　and　waving　in
return。　　They　had　grown　to　be　great　friends　these　two；　and　seemed
to　have　arrived　at　some　understanding。　　Certainly；　Graeme's　manner
to　her　was　not　that　he　bore　to　other　women。　　His　half…quizzical；
somewhat　superior　air　of　mocking　devotion　gave　place　to　a　simple；
earnest；　almost　tender；　respect；　very　new　to　him；　but　very　winning。

As　he　stood　there　waving　his　farewell；　I　glanced　at　his　face　and
saw　for　a　moment　what　I　had　not　seen　for　years；　a　faint　flush　on
Graeme's　cheek　and　a　light　of　simple；　earnest　faith　in　his　eyes。
It　reminded　me　of　my　first　look　of　him　when　he　had　come　up　for　his
matriculation　to　the　'Varsity。　　He　stood　on　the　campus　looking　up　at
the　noble　old　pile；　and　there　was　the　same　bright；　trustful；
earnest　look　on　his　boyish　face。

I　know　not　what　spirit　possessed　me；　it　may　have　been　the　pain　of
the　memory　working　in　me；　but　I　said；　coarsely　enough；　'It's　no
use；　Graeme；　my　boy；　I　would　fall　in　love　with　her　myself；　but
there　would　be　no　chance　even　for　me。'

The　flush　slowly　darkened　as　he　turned　and　said　deliberately

'It's　not　like　you；　Connor；　to　be　an　ass　of　that　peculiar　kind。
Love！not　exactly！　　She　won't　fall　in　love　unless'　and　he
stopped　abruptly　with　his　eyes　upon　Craig。

But　Craig　met　him　with　unshrinking　gaze；　quietly　remarking；　'Her
heart　is　under　the　pines'；　and　we　moved　on；　each　thinking　his　own
thoughts；　and　guessing　at　the　thoughts　of　the　others。

We　were　on　our　way　to　Craig's　shack；　and　as　we　passed　the　saloon
Slavin　stepped　from　the　door　with　a　salutation。　　Graeme　paused。
'Hello；　Slavin！　　I　got　rather　the　worst　of　it；　didn't　I？'

Slavin　came　near；　and　said　earnestly；　'It　was　a　dirty　thrick
altogether；　you'll　not　think　it　was　moine；　Mr。　Graeme。'

'No；　no；　Slavin！　you　stood　up　like　a　man；'　said　Graeme　cheerfully。

'And　you　bate　me　fair；　an'　bedad　it　was　a　nate　one　that　laid　me
out；　an'　there's　no　grudge　in　me　heart　till　ye。'

'All　right；　Slavin；　we'll　perhaps　understand　each　other　better
after　this。'

'An'　that's　thrue　for　yez；　sor；　an'　I'll　see　that　your　byes　don't
get　any　more　than　they　ask　for；'　replied　Slavin；　backing　away。

'And　I　hope　that　won't　be　much；'　put　in　Mr。　Craig；　but　Slavin　only
grinned。

When　we　came　to　Craig's　shack　Graeme　was　glad　to　rest　in　the　big
chair。

Craig　made　him　a　cup　of　tea；　while　I　smoked；　admiring　much　the　deft
neatness　of　the　minister's　housekeeping；　and　the　gentle；　almost
motherly；　way　he　had　with　Graeme。

In　our　talk　we　drifted　into　the　future；　and　Craig　let　us　see　what
were　his　ambitions。　　The　railway　was　soon　to　come；　the　resources
were；　as　yet；　unexplored；　but　enough　was　known　to　assure　a　great
future　for　British　Columbia。　　As　he　talked　his　enthusiasm　grew；　and
carried　us　away。　　With　the　eye　of　a　general　he　surveyed　the
country；　fixed　the　strategic　points　which　the　Church　must　seize
upon。　　Eight　good　men　would　hold　the　country　from　Fort　Steele　to
the　coast；　and　from　Kootenay　to　Cariboo。

'The　Church　must　be　in　with　the　railway；　she　must　have　a　hand　in
the　shaping　of　the　country。　　If　society　crystallises　without　her
influence；　the　country　is　lost；　and　British　Columbia　will　be
another　trap…door　to　the　bottomless　pit。'

'What　do　you　propose？'　I　asked。

'Organising　a　little　congregation　here　in　Black　Rock。'

'How　many　will　you　get？'

'Don't　know。'

'Pretty　hopeless　business；'　I　said。

'Hopeless！　hopeless！'　he　cried；　'there　were　only　twelve　of　us　at
first　to　follow　Him；　and　rather　a　poor　lot　they　were。　　But　He
braced　them　up；　and　they　conquered　the　world。'

'But　surely　things　are　different；'　said　Graeme。

'Things？　　Yes！　yes！　　But　He　is　the　same。'　　His　face　had　an　exalted
look；　and　his　eyes　were　gazing　into　far…away　places。

'A　dozen　men　in　Black　Rock　with　some　real　grip　of　Him　would　make
things　go。　　We'll　get　them；　too；'　he　went　on　in　growing　excitement。
'I　believe　in　my　soul　we'll　get　them。'

'Look　here；　Craig；　if　you　organise　I'd　like　to　join；'　said　Graeme
impulsively。　　'I　don't　believe　much　in　your　creed　or　your　Church；
but　I'll　be　blowed　if　I　don't　believe　in　you。'

Craig　looked　at　him　with　wistful　eyes；　and　shook　his　head。　　'It
won't　do；　old　chap；　you　know。　　I　can't　hold　you。　　You've　got　to
have　a　grip　of　some　one　better　than　I　am；　and　then；　besides；　I
hardly　like　asking　you　now'；　he　hesitated'well；　to　be　out…and…
out；　this　step　must　be　taken　not　for　my　sake；　nor　for　any　man's
sake；　and　I　fancy　that　perhaps　you　feel　like　pleasing　me　just　now
a　little。'

'That　I　do；　old　fellow；'　said　Graeme；　putting　out　his　hand。　　'I'll
be　hanged　if　I　won't　do　anything　you　say。'

'That's　why　I　won't　say；'　replied　Craig。　　Then　reverently　he　added；
'the　organisation　is　not　mine。　　It　is　my　Master's。'

'When　are　you　going　to　begin？'　asked　Graeme。

'We　shall　have　our　communion　service　in　two　weeks；　and　that　will　be
our　roll…call。'

'How　many　will　answer？'　I　asked　doubtfully。

'I　know　of　three；'　he　said　quietly。

'Three！　　There　are　two　hundred　miners　and　one　hundred　and　fifty
lumbermen！　　Three！'　and　Graeme　looked　at　him　in　amazement。　　'You
think　it　worth　while　to　organise　three？'

'Well；'　replied　Craig；　smiling　for　the　first　time；　'the
organisation　won't　be　elaborate；　but　it　will　be　effective；　and；
besides；　loyalty　demands　obedience。'

We　sat　long　that　afternoon　talking；　shrinking　from　the　breaking　up；
for　we　knew　that　we　were　about　to　turn　down　a　chapter　in　our　lives
which　we　should　delight　to　linger　over　in　after　days。　　And　in　my
life　there　is　but　one　brighter。　　At　last　we　said　good…bye　and　drove
away；　and　though　many　farewells　have　come　in　between　that　day　and
this；　none　is　so　vividly　present　to　me　as　that　between　us　three
men。　　Craig's　manner　with　me　was　solemn　enough。　　'〃He　that　loveth
his　life〃；　good…bye；　don't　fool　with　this；'　was　what　he　said　to　me。
But　when　he　turned　to　Graeme　his　whole　face　lit　up。　　He　took　him　by
the　shoulders　and　gave　him　a　little　shake；　looking　into　his　eyes；
and　saying　over　and　over　in　a　low；　sweet　tone

'You'll　come；　old　chap；　you'll　come；　you'll　come。　　Tell　me　you'll
come。'

And　Graeme　could　say　nothing　in　reply；　but　only　looked　at　him。
Then　they　silently　shook　hands；　and　we　drove　off。　　But　long　after
we　had　got　over　the　mountain　and　into　the　winding　forest　road　on
the　way　to　the　lumber…camp　the　voice　kept　vibrating　in　my　heart；
'You'll　come；　you'll　come；'　and　there　was　a　hot　pain　in　my　throat。

We　said　little　during　the　drive　to　the　camp。　　Graeme　was　thinking
hard；　and　made　no　answer　when　I　spoke　to　him　two　or　three　times；
till　we　came　to　the　deep　shadows　of　the　pine　forest；　when　with　a
little　shiver　he　said

'It　is　all　a　tanglea　hopeless　tangle。'

'Meaning　what？'　I　asked。

'This　business　of　religionwhat　quaint　varietiesNelson's；
Geordie's；　Billy　Breen'sif　he　has　anythen　Mrs。　Mavor'sshe　is
a　saint；　of　courseand　that　fellow　Craig's。　　What　a　trump　he　is！
and　without　his　religion　he'd　be　pretty　much　like　the　rest　of　us。
It　is　too　much　for　me。'

His　mystery　was　not　mine。　　The　Black　Rock　varieties　of　religion
were　certainly　startling；　but　there　was　undoubtedly　the　streak　of
reality　though　them　all；　and　that　discovery　I　felt　to　be　a　distinct
gain。


CHAPTER　VII

THE　FIRST　BLACK　ROCK　COMMUNION


The　gleam　of　the　great　fire　through　the　windows　of　the　great　camp
gave　a　kindly　welcome　as　we　drove　into　the　clearing　in　which　the
shanties　stood。　　Graeme　was　greatly　touched　at　his　enthusiastic
welcome　by　the　men。　　At　the　supper…table　he　made　a　little　speech　of
thanks　for　their　faithfulness　during　his　absence；　specially
commending　the　care　and　efficiency　of　Mr。　Nelson；　who　had　had
charge　of　the　camp。　　The　men　cheered　wildly；　Baptiste's　shrill
voice　leading　all。　　Nelson　being　called　upon；　expressed　in　a　few
words　his　pleasure　at　seeing　the　Boss　back；　and　thanked　the　men　fo