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This work, now well begun, is the great task which in the present century will call for all the knowledge, patience, humanity, and justice that may be brought to bear upon the problem of reclaiming Africa. Livingstone's "Missionary Travels," "A Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi," and "Last Journeys;" Blaikie's "Livingstone's Personal Life;" Stanley's "How I found Livingstone."
He turned to where Captain Blaikie's detachment were drawn up on the platform, "Take the first seventy men of that lot, and tell them to stand over there, under an officer." Captain Blaikie gave the necessary order. "Now," continued Colonel Hyde, "tell them to get the horses out and on board that steamer at once. The rest of your party are to go by another steamer. See?" "Yes, sir, perfectly.
Captain Blaikie's eyes twinkle, and he chuckles to his now scarlet-faced junior "More biscuits in heaven and earth than ever came out of Huntley and Palmer's, my son! Private Robb!" Presently Private Robb stands at the table. He is a fresh-faced, well-set-up youth, with a slightly receding chin and a most dejected manner. "Private Robb," reads the Captain.
Old Carmichael permits himself one brief look into his son's grave, resumes his crape-bound tall hat, and turns heavily away. He finds Captain Blaikie's hand waiting for him. He grips it, and says "Weel, the laddie has had a grand sojer's funeral. His mother will be pleased to hear that." He passes on, and shakes hands with the platoon sergeant and one or two of Peter's cronies.
Presently he rides away; and Captain Blaikie, instead of halting and dismissing us in the street as usual, leads us down an alley into the backyard which serves as our apology for a parade-ground. We form close column of platoons, stand at ease, and wait resignedly. Then Captain Blaikie's voice falls upon our ears. "A Company, I have an announcement to make to you. His Majesty the King "
In the one case, however, as in the other, a conscientious man will give all diligence to make his calling and election sure. Excellent chapters on the subject will be found in Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students and Blaikie's For the Work of the Ministry.
But this overture was ten times more awful, and, from a material British point of view, ten times more inspiring. It would have thrilled old Blaikie's fighting spirit, thought Wagstaffe. But Loos had taken his friend from him, and he, Wagstaffe, only was left. What did fate hold in store for him to-morrow? he wondered. And Bobby? They had both escaped marvellously so far.
But the explanation thereof, as proffered by Private Mucklewame, was quite simple and eminently sound. "All the decent lads," he observed briefly, "are oot here." "Good work!" said Wagstaffe, when Blaikie's tale was told. "What is the new trench for, exactly?" Blaikie told him. "Tell me more!" urged Wagstaffe, deeply interested.
Things are growing serious. Five minutes later Bobby, having despatched his wounded to the dressing-station, proceeds with all haste to Captain Blaikie's dug-out. "How many, Bobby?" "Six wounded. Two of them won't last as far as the rear, I'm afraid, sir." Captain Blaikie looks grave. "Better ring up the Gunners, I think. Where are the shells coming from?" "That wood on our left front, I think."
Blaikie's statement cannot be set down here, though the substance of it may be common property to-day. When he had finished Wagstaffe whistled softly. "And it's to be the day after to-morrow?" he said. "Yes, if all goes well." It was quite dark now. The horizon was brilliantly lit by the flashes of big guns, and a continuous roar came throbbing through the soft autumn darkness.
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