The father moved, opened his eyes, then sat up He passed his hand over his face, then looked at the two young people.  “It’s all right,” he muttered, then lay down again on the pillow.  The doctor came with his medicine.  There were now heard the noise of trunks being hoisted from the hold and the bustle of getting ready to leave the ship.

“Father,” said Lucy.  “We must soon get ready to leave.  Will you be able?”

“Yes, yes, child”—­it seemed difficult for the old man to speak.

“And Chester—­Mr. Lawrence—­here is to go with us and help us.”

“Yes.”  He nodded as if it was easier to give assent in that way.

“We’ll make all things ready, daddy.  Don’t you worry.  Rest as long as you can.  It will be some time yet before you will need to get up.”

The sick man nodded again.

“I’ll remain here while you get ready,” said Chester.  “Then you may attend while I do what little is necessary.  I’ll let my trunk go right on to Liverpool.

Lucy hurried away and Chester sat down by the bed.  As he smoothed out the coverlet, the minister reached out and took Chester’s hand which he held in his own as if to get strength from it.  There came into the old man’s face an expression of contentment, but he did not try to talk.

Lucy returned, and Chester hurried to his own room where he soon packed his few belongings and was ready.  He found the elders on deck watching the approach to Queenstown, and explained to them what had happened to change somewhat his plans.  “I’ll surely hunt you up,” he said to Elder Malby, “and visit with you;” and the Elder wished him God-speed and gave him his blessing.

Slowly the big ship sailed into Queenstown harbor, and then stopped.  The anchor chains rattled, the big iron grasped the bottom, and the vessel was still.  What a sensation to be once more at rest!  Now out from the shore came a tender to take Queenstown passengers ashore.  Small boats came alongside from which came shrill cries to those far above on deck.  A small rope was thrown up which was caught and hauled in by the interested spectators.  At the end of the small rope there dangled a heavier one, and at the end of that there was a loop into which a good-sized Irish woman slipped.  “Pull away,” came from below, and half a dozen men responded.  Up came the woman, her feet climbing the sides of the steamer.  With great good-nature the men pulled until the woman was on deck.  Then she immediately let down the lighter rope to her companion in the small boat, where a basket was fastened and drawn up.  From the basket came apples, or “real Irish lace,” or sticks of peculiar Irish woods, all of which found a ready sale among the passengers.

From one of the lower decks of the steamer, a gang-way was pushed on to the raised deck platform of the tender, and even then the incline was quite steep.  This bridge was well fastened by ropes, and then the passengers began to descend, while their heavier baggage was piled on the decks of the tender.