Little John was eagerly watching his father.

‘Pull, daddy, pull!’ I heard him cry; and I think I was nearly as pleased as he and Polly were when Duncan and the mates on his side suddenly made one mighty effort, and the handkerchief was drawn across the line.  There was tremendous cheering after this.  Polly clapped her hands with delight, and little Jack and big Jack nearly shouted themselves hoarse.

It was an interesting sight, and I had reason to remember it afterwards, as you will see.  The evening concert went off as well as the sports had done, and Duncan came in at night rather tired, but well satisfied with the day’s proceedings.

I enjoyed all the sights at Runswick Bay, but I think I was particularly charmed with what happened on the day after the sports.  All the village was early astir, and as I was dressing, it seemed to me that every fisherman in the place was hurrying down to the beach.  It was not long before I followed them to see what they were doing.  I found that they were about to draw the crab-boats up from the shore, to a place where they would be safe from the winter storms.  It was hard work, but every one was there to give a hand.  A long string of men and lads laid hold of the strong cable fastened to the boat.  Even the wives and elder children caught hold of it.  I myself went to their help, and several of the visitors followed my example.  Then, when we were all in position, there came a pause, for Duncan, who was directing the proceedings, charged us not to pull till the signal was given.  Then there rose a peculiar cry or yodel, all the fishermen uttering it together, and as soon as it ceased we gave our united, mighty pull.  Then we paused to take breath, until once more there came a yodel followed by another pull, and as this was repeated again and again, it was grand to see the heavy boat making steady and regular progress.  Across the heavy sand she came, up the low bank, over the rough grass, slowly, steadily, surely, she moved onward, until at length she was placed in safety, far out of reach of the highest tide and the strongest sea.  Thus, one after another, the boats were drawn up, and we were fairly tired before our work was done.

I think it must have been that very day, that, as I was sitting painting, I once more heard the broken notes of the instrument which had troubled me so much before.  It was that tune again, my mother’s tune, and somehow, I do not know how it was, with the sound of my mother’s tune there came back to my mind the remembrance of the Sunday service.  Ah! my mother was on the right side of the line, I said to myself; she was a servant of Christ.  But her son! what is he?

I did not want to follow out this subject, so I jumped up from my camp-stool, and standing under the wall, I called, ’Little Jack, little Jack.’

The music stopped at once, and the child came out.  Dear, little merry fellow, how fond I was of him already!