Black Rock: A Tale of the Selkirks

scourses, so that in my sickness I doubt and doubt, then I go back to the communion in Black Rock and the days preceding it, and the fever and the weariness leave me, and I grow humble

ious opinion, were allowed, and it was generally conceded that one was as good as another. It is fair to say, however, that Black Rock's catholicity was negative rather than positive. The only

ter. If any one, more than another, was to be blamed for the rise of intolerance in the village, that man was Geordie Crawford. He had his 'lines' from the Established Kirk of Scotland, and when Mr. Craig announced his intention of having the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper observed, Geordie produced his 'lines' and promptly handed them in. As no other man in the vi

ng opinions favourable or unfavourable as appeared to them good. Then it was that all sorts of views, religious and otherwise, were aired and examined. The originality of the ideas, the absolute disregard of the authority of church or creed, the frankness with which opinions were stated, an

the quiet remark interjected by Geordie, 'that it was nae credit till a man tae be a sinner'; and when Geordie went on to urge the importance of right conduct and respectability, Abe was led to pour forth vials of contemptuous wrath upon the Pharisees and

back any blanked Methodist against any blankety blank long-faced, lantern-jawed, skinflint Pres

tae judge by her son.' Abe was speedily appeased, and offered to set up the drinks all round. But Geordie, with evident reluctance, had to decline

ile as to Mrs. Mavor, whose slave he was, he was

puir cratur, she's fair carried awa w

when confronted with particulars. In conversation with him one night after one of the meetings, when he had been specially hard upon the ignorant and godless, I innocently changed the subject to Billy Bree

buddie, she diz her pairt, an' when ye're a bit restless an thrawn aifter yer day's wark, it's like a walk in a bonnie glen on a simmer eve, with the birds liltin' aboot, tae sit in yon roomie and hear her sing; but whe

do then, Geor

nd then pits the kettle on an' maks a cup o' tea o

ngly, 'there's no hope for

'Ye wadna keep oot a puir cratur frae

know anything of the doctrines. I don't beli

ndignation. 'An' maybe you remember the prood Pharisee an

ace were beautiful to see, so I meekly answered, 'Wel

me, but I kept my face like a summ

eect: but he maun exer

was a member of the English Church, and some others who had been confirmed years ago, and had forgotten m

thae Epeescopawlyun buddies.

im that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out,"'

he interest became more intense. The singing became different. The men no longer simply shouted, but as Mr. Craig would call attention to the sentimen

I am anxious that they should know exactly what they are

lling 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 disadvant

r, and the bright days speeding so swi

e to go about, became anxious to get back to the camp. And so the la

o 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

eek 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

working in me, but I said, coarsely enough, 'It's no use, Graeme, my boy; I w

kened as he turned a

iar kind. Love!-not exactly! She won't fall in love un

Her heart is under the pines'; and we moved on, each thinking

oon Slavin stepped from the door with a salutation. Graeme pa

'It was a dirty thrick altogether; you

tood up like a man,' s

as a nate one that laid me out; an' t

perhaps understand each

ee that your byes don't get any more than

much,' put in Mr. Craig;

shack Graeme was glad

uch the deft neatness of the minister's housekeeping, a

ugh 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 count

of the country. If society crystallises without her influence, the country is

ou propose

le congregation he

y will y

't k

eless busin

f us at first to follow Him, and rather a poor lot they w

ngs are differe

' His face had an exalted look, and hi

uld make things go. We'll get them, too,' he went on in

Graeme impulsively. 'I don't believe much in your creed or

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

, putting out his hand. 'I'll be han

. Then reverently he added, 'the organi

going to begin

n service in two weeks, and

answer?' I as

three,' he

d fifty lumbermen! Three!' and Graeme looked at him in

the organisation won't be elaborate, but it will be

ast 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";

you'll come, you'll co

off. But long after we had got over the mountain and into the winding forest road on the way to the lumber-c

nd made no answer when I spoke to him two or three times, till we came t

tangle-a hope

what?'

s any-then Mrs. Mavor's-she is a saint, of course-and that fellow Craig's. What a trump he i

certainly startling; but there was undoubtedly the streak of reali