|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 95
James was familiar with every part of the fording-place, and when the
water was low, which was the case at this time, there was no danger in
crossing.
Mounted on one of his father's best horses, James set out. He crossed
the river, and soon reached the house of his relatives.
He was ready to start on his return, when suddenly the heavens became
black with clouds, the wind blew with great violence, and the rain fell
in torrents.
It was late in the afternoon, and as his relatives feared to have him
attempt to reach home in such a storm, they persuaded him to remain over
night and wait until daylight before starting for home.
His father suspected the cause of James' delay, and was not over anxious
on his account. He knew that the boy was prudent, and did not fear that
any accident would happen to him during the night.
But he knew that he had taught James to obey his commands in every
particular, and as the boy possessed, a daring and fearless spirit, that
he would attempt to ford the river as soon as it was light enough in the
morning.
He knew, also, that the immense quantity of water that appeared to be
falling, would cause the river to rise to a considerable height by
morning, and make it very dangerous even for a strong man to attempt to
cross it.
The thought of what might befall his child caused Mr. Bishop to pass a
sleepless night; for although he was very strict with his children, he
possessed an affectionate nature and loved them dearly.
The day dawned; the storm had ceased; the wind was still, and nothing
was to be heard but the roar of the river.
The rise of the river was even greater than Mr. Bishop expected, and as
soon as it was light enough, for him to see objects across it, he took
up a position on the bank to watch for the approach of his son.
James arrived on the opposite shore at the same time, and his horse was
beginning to enter the stream.
All his father's feelings were roused into action, for he knew that his
son was in fearful danger. James had already proceeded too far to
return--in fact, to go forward or back was equally dangerous.
His horse had arrived at the deepest part of the river, and was
struggling against the current. The animal was being hurried down the
stream, and apparently making but little progress toward the shore.
James became very much alarmed. Raising his eyes toward the
landing-place, he discovered his father. Almost frantic with fear, he
exclaimed, "O father, father! I shall drown! I shall drown!"
"No," replied his father, in a stern and resolute tone of voice,
dismissing for a moment his feelings of tenderness; "if you do, I will
whip you severely. Cling to your horse! Cling to your horse!"
The son, who feared his father more than he did the raging river, obeyed
the command; and the noble animal on which he was mounted, struggling
for some time, carried him safe to shore.
"My son!" exclaimed the glad father, bursting into tears, "remember,
hereafter, that in danger you must possess courage, and being determined
to save your life, cling to the last hope!
"If I had replied to you with the tenderness and fear which I felt, you
might have lost your life; you would have lost your presence of mind,
been carried away by the current, and I should have seen you no more."
What a noble example is this! The heroism of this father and his
presence of mind saved the life of his boy.
* * * * *
Directions for Reading.--In _calling tones_, as on pages 237 and 238,
notice that the falling inflections only can be used.[14]
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|