What an example of Christian
fortitude and humility did he ever show us! and indeed, I may truly
say, that by his example, sinful as I must ever be, I have become, I
trust, a better man. Would that he were now sitting by us, - but the
Lord's will be done!"
"I feel as if I had lost a stay or prop," replied Mrs. Seagrave. "So
accustomed have I been to look to him for advice since we have been on
this island. Had he not been thus snatched from us - had he been spared
to us a few years, and had we been permitted to surround his death-bed,
and close his eyes in peace--" and Mrs. Seagrave wept upon the shoulder
of her husband.
After a time, Mrs. Seagrave recovered herself; but silence ensued, only
broken by an occasional sob from poor Juno. William's heart was too
full; he could not for a long while utter a word; at last he said in a
low voice:
"I feel that, next to my dear father and mother, I have lost my best
friend. I cannot forgive myself for allowing him to go for the water;
it was my duty to go, and I ought to have gone."
"And yet we could have ill spared you, my dear boy; you might have
perished," replied Mrs. Seagrave.
"It would have been as God willed," replied William; "I might have
perished, or I might not.
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