"THEY WANDERED IN DENS AND CAVES OF THE EARTH"
It was quite a relief to be underground. The long, dark, narrow passage
infused a sense of safety and protection which they could not feel so
long as there were doors, save the one by which they had entered, which
it was almost impossible for anyone but the most experienced expert to
discover, and there were no windows at all; no fear of seeing the cruel
yellow faces pressed against the window panes, of hearing the savage,
beast-like cries. Mr. Li walked on ahead, cool, calm, erect; a dignified
figure, moving along in the darkness, inspiring confidence and trust.
Wang was slouching away but, without appearing to do so, Mr. Li kept him
close by his side, and he now carried the torch which lighted them
through the darkness. Mrs. Ross followed with Mr. St. John; Nina and
Mr. Crawford bringing up the rear. Although the danger had been hidden
from the former, yet there are some things which it is quite impossible
to disguise. Without being told we guess at them, and in her weakness
she turned intuitively to the strong man who had braved so much for her
sake. She had clung at first to Uncle Paul, but Uncle Paul--she had
always felt it--she felt it at the present moment, to her regret and
shame--was a being too far above her ever to claim her entire sympathy.
She loved him with all her heart and soul, she adored him, but she was
sadly conscious of inferiority. She knew that she had given herself to
Christ, that the whole bent and aim of her life would be different from
what it had been in the old, careless past, and yet she did not think
she could stand on the same plateau as Uncle Paul and Cicely, who seemed
to be almost in heaven already, She had heard Mr. St. John's words; she
knew that death would be nothing to him, the gate to glory, to Christ;
his face shone now with ineffable loveliness as he walked by Lilian
Ross's side, helped her over the broken places, and discoursed to her of
the things of God.
But Nina wanted to live--the colour had crept back into her pale cheeks,
her witching eyes were bright with suppressed excitement. She did not
wish for death, but life.
"I cannot say yet," she said to herself, "to die is gain, but I can
say," she added softly, "for me to live is Christ."
Young Crawford did not talk to her much, he saw that her thoughts were
occupied, and he had much to occupy his own; he had replied to that one
look of her dark eyes, a look which supplicated help and protection, and
implied perfect trust, by a few whispered words of reassurance, and his
expression was so ardent, so brave, so fixed in its high and steadfast
resolve, that it was impossible to feel fear when walking by his side.
His blue eyes blazed in the darkness. If an army had been lead against
him, he felt that he could face it, and yet be victorious.
"Nina," he said fervently--forgetting in the excitement of the moment
that he was using her Christian name--"Nina, do you recollect in the
history of Elisha how he prayed that the young man's eyes might be
opened, and how when they were he saw that the whole mountain was full
of chariots and horses. Do you know I feel like that young man, as if
the Lord had opened my eyes; I believe that He will appear for us, that
in this place, grim and dark though it be, we are surrounded by myriads
of His angels for our protection."
"And yet," replied Nina, a little doubtfully, "God _does_ permit
dreadful things sometimes to happen to His children."
"That is true," said young Crawford, "and that is one of the things
which will be explained one day, but I do not believe it will be so
to-day. I cannot think that the Lord would have allowed me to have this
feeling, which almost amounts to a revelation, for nothing. Be of good
cheer," he added, tenderly. "If a thousand men came against me, I
should not fear; the Lord is on our side, and you shall never fall into
their hands. Come, take my arm, you are not strong yet." He kept his
sword arm free, but with the other he gathered her hand in his, and
placed it within his arm, and the support which this afforded her seemed
to impart to him additional strength.
They had reached the egress now and held their breath. This was the
critical moment. When they opened the door what would they see? Would
the way be clear or would they be caught like rats in a trap? In that
case, unless deliverance came from some entirely unexpected source, they
would have to remain where they were until their provisions failed them,
or they were discovered and overwhelmed by numbers; or they would have
to fight their way across the open space Three men, good and true, for
they could not reckon on Wang, to protect themselves and two helpless
women! It was a terrible look out, and a deep, fervent prayer rose from
every manly heart to God for His protection; Paul St. John, casting his
eyes on Lilian and Nina, and thinking of his absent wife and children,
lifted up his great heart in supplication also--"Lord, if it be
possible, for the sake of these, and those absent who are dear to us,
deliver us now; nevertheless not my will, but Thine be done."
"It's all right," said Mr. Li, looking cautiously out, "but there is not
a moment to lose, I will go on at once; prepare to follow when you see
me reach the other side; close the door behind you and come quickly;
Wang, you will keep close to me."
Without another word, he strode silently and rapidly across the open
space, all the time keeping one eye on Wang, and one on the distant
trees. Putting his hand in the inner pocket of his robe where he had
placed the key for safety, he turned very white, for--the key was gone.
Meanwhile the others had followed, he heard the door close gently behind
them, and now here they all were beside him, close to a place of safety
which it was impossible to enter. It was indeed a terrible situation!
They could not retreat, and they could not go on, and every moment
increased the danger. Mr. Li knew it was only a question of time. The
Chinese might give up the search inside, come out into the grove, catch
sight of them as they stood there, and do them to a cruel death. For a
space even Mr. Li's firmness seemed to be shaken.
"I know I put the key in this pocket," he exclaimed in a distracted
tone; but on a sudden his face changed like lightning, and he sprang on
Wang, who stood there shivering like an aspen leaf. "You traitor, you
have robbed us," he cried. Mr. Li was transformed, his voice was
terrible, his expression relentless and stern as that of an avenging
archangel. Mrs. Ross turned white and Nina fainted right away and would
have fallen had not Mr. Crawford caught her with his left arm; in his
right hand he grasped his sword. With set teeth and blazing eyes he
stood there ready to sell his life dearly. He beckoned to Paul St.
John, who was endeavouring to encourage Mrs. Ross, and preparing to
defend her.
[Illustration: In his right band he grasped his sword.]
"There is a chance of escape still, sir," he said. "You are a
missionary, your life is of so much value, and then there are your wife
and children to think of: it would be possible to slip back, amongst the
trees, and take the ladies with you."
"And leave you to die, my brother," said Mr. St. John gently; "that
cannot be God's will, surely."
"I may not die," replied the young subaltern brightly. "I do not feel
at all like death yet, I shall give them a lot of trouble, but it would
hamper me to have Mrs. Ross and Miss Leicester here; how will they stand
the sight of blood? They might even be wounded in the scuffle, and if
the worst comes it would increase the bitterness of Death to know they
were in danger, to know I had died in vain."
"True," said Mr. St. John, tenderly; "then farewell until we meet again
on earth or in the glory. Come, Nina darling," he whispered, gently
raising the fainting girl and folding her in his arms.
"It is needless," put in Mr. Li. He spoke sharply and decisively; all
this time he had been occupied with Wang, and Wang had been protesting
and blaspheming and swearing by all his gods.
"Now," said Mr. Li, and his voice sounded terrible in its sternness and
solemnity. "You know me, and I know that you have that key; I am not
going to risk the lives of five innocent people; if you do not give up
the key you die. As surely as there is a God above us, so surely do I
send you to appear before Him." He drew a revolver from his pocket and
held it close to the man's eyes. "I give you exactly three minutes to
make up your mind; if at the end of that time you have not confessed, I
shall blow your brains out."
It is impossible to say whether Mr. Li would have carried out this
threat. If he had attempted to do so, no doubt Mr. St. John would have
thought it right to intervene, but Mr. Li knew his man, and before two
minutes were up Wang was blubbering out that Mr. Li had dropped the key,
and that he (Wang) had picked it up not knowing what key it was, and
here it was if Mr. Li wanted it so much, where he had placed it for
safety in his pig tail!
"You scoundrel," said Mr. Li, contemptuously. "I only wish I had the
time to give you the thrashing you deserve; even now," he said, as he
tore the key out of the man's hair, "it may be too late the delay may
cost us our lives." As he spoke he heard a noise behind him, and,
looking round, they saw that their fears of discovery were realized.
The enemy had come to the conclusion at last that the house was empty,
and as they emerged from the wood, they caught sight of the little band,
and uttered a scream of triumph. Young Crawford stood like a lion at
bay, his noble head thrown back, his unsheathed sword grasped firmly in
his hand, his eyes shining as if they were on fire. Mr. St. John stood
beside him, endeavouring to shield the two shrinking girls. Would the
lock never turn? There was something peculiar about it, and it was
rusty--it seemed a century before it turned with an angry, rasping
sound, but that sound was sweetest music in their ears.
"Quick, quick," cried out young Crawford in an agony of impatience, for
he saw that it was only a question of moments. The Chinese had quailed
before his terrible expression; they had not cared to face him or his
gleaming sword. But what could one man do against so many? They
prepared to spring. Meanwhile the half-fainting girls had been dragged
into the place of safety, and young Crawford stood on guard alone.
"Come, brother, come," shouted Mr. St. John. It was too late.
Infuriated at the escape of their prey, the foremost men sprang across
the open space to where young Crawford stood. He was just in front of
the open door, yet he could not enter--if he turned they would be upon
him and force an entrance also, if he fell back it would be the same
thing. "Close the door," he shouted out to Mr. Li. "Put your back
against it," called out Mr. St. John. Mechanically he obeyed. Inch by
inch, still with the point of his sword pointing at his foes, he
retreated, until he stood with his back up against the door, prepared to
sell his life as dearly as might be.
They did not hesitate long. With wild shrieks like those of a famished
wolf, they rushed upon him: but he was an expert in the art of fencing.
He knew how to parry and thrust, he had the swordsman's quick eye and
mobile hand and arm. The end would be the same of course, but theirs
would not be an easy victory. The minutes passed and still he held them
at bay; they rushed at him, but he shook them off as some noble animal
shakes off the dogs that are worrying him to death. Not many that came
within the sweep of that terrible sword returned again to the attack.
Three times he thrust them back, and still he stood there unharmed, save
for a slight flesh wound in his forehead from which the blood trickled
down his face. But he felt that the end was near, his breath came in
great throbbing gasps, his sword cleaved to his hand, his heart laboured
painfully; he fell backwards, down, down, down into the darkness, and
thought that he was dead and that an angel bent over him, but the
angel's eyes were suffused with tears and bore a curious resemblance to
Nina's. "He will do now," someone said; and then he fell asleep, the
most delicious sleep he had ever experienced in his life. When he awoke
Nina and Mr. St. John sat by his side.
"Wherever am I?" he cried, rubbing his eyes. "I thought they had done
for me; how good God has been," he said, looking at Nina, "but I cannot
think now how I got here. You see," he went on, turning again to Nina,
with a bright, sweet smile, "I was right after all, God _did_ deliver,
only _He_ could have done so, for I was in a terrible plight, and
thought it was all over. I never expected to see any of you again," he
continued a little sadly, for he was weakened by exertion and the great
strain of mind and body he had undergone.
"Dear Lord, we thank Thee for Thy great goodness to us," said Mr. St.
John, reverently kneeling beside the rude couch on which young Crawford
lay. A fervent Amen burst from the lips of all present. Nina was
crying quietly, she was very weak still, and this last strain had proved
almost too much for her overwrought nerves. Mrs. Ross sat beside her,
and held her hand fast locked in hers. Mr. Li stood there, calm and
dignified as ever, but there was a very kind, pleased look about his
dark eyes.
In answer to young Crawford's query, he smiled, "You will be greatly
surprised when I tell you," he said, "and think it more of an Arabian
Night than ever. I told Mr. St. John to tell you to stand with your
back against the door because there was a false panel there. When I had
got the ladies well into the house, I returned to watch the situation
through a spy-hole, which I also have near the door. I was obliged to be
careful, for I did not wish to run the risk of getting any of our
friends in also. I saw you beat them back three times, and I also
marked that your strength was failing, and that they paused for an
instant for the final onslaught; it was the decisive moment, and a
minute's hesitation would have been fatal. As you swooned I slid the
panel and dragged you in--not a moment too soon. In fact I had barely
time to replace the bolt before they were upon it. Indeed I did secure
a trophy," and he held up a portion of a Chinese robe.
Young Crawford looked at Mr. Li admiringly. "You have a wonderful mind,"
he said, "a marvellous power of organization. What a splendid leader
you would make!"
"To God be all the praise," replied Mr. Li, humbly, "it is He who
created and directed."
"Where is our friend, Wang," asked Mr. Crawford, smiling.
"He managed to get away in the rush," replied Mr. Li, "but I do not
think he will be able to do much harm, indeed I think we are well quit
of him."
"Are we quite safe now?" asked Mrs. Ross of Mr. Li.
"Yes, I think so," he replied, smiling. "This is a very wonderful
house, if you will not think me vainglorious for saying so, and the
egress is well out of Pekin. I shall be able to secure provisions, and
get messages, I hope, into Pekin, and by easy stages to conduct you to
Wei-hai-wei. At any rate you may rest in safety here for a time."
"Rest and peace," said Mr. St. John, gently, "what a gracious God ours
is, giving His children just what they require. 'He that dwelleth in
the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty.'"
"Uncle," said Nina, "I wish you would sing a verse of that lovely hymn
you and Aunt Christine sang to us in the garden at Chen-si; it was
hearing you sing that hymn that made me long to lead the new life. I
thought it would be so nice to rest under the shadow of His wings."
"And have you not found it so, dear child?"
"Yes," she replied, softly, "I have; there _is_ rest and peace under the
shadow of His wings. Sing for us now, dear uncle, that we may rest."
"I will, if you will all join with me in the refrain."
In the shadow of His wings,
There is peace, sweet peace;
Peace that passeth understanding,
Peace, sweet peace that knows no ending,
There is rest, sweet rest;
There is peace, sweet peace,
There is joy, glad joy,
In the shadow of His wings!
* * * * *
One more scene, a few months later, at the old Rectory belonging to Mrs.
St. John's father. It was Christmas time--that sweet season when,
because of the love of Christ, the coldest heart warms, the most
unforgiving relents and forgives.
The rambling old Rectory was bright with sweet faces and glad young
voices. Mr. and Mrs. St. John, Cicely, Rachel, and the boys were there,
only one little flower was missing, especially cherished in her mother's
heart, the little one that had been with God so many months now. Cicely
had grown much in the last few months, her eyes were deeper still--she
was very near the stream which can never be recrossed, where the child
and the woman meet. Colonel Leicester and Nina were also there, Captain
and Mrs. Ross, and Mr. Li. The latter had been baptized, and had made
giant strides in the spiritual life. "What splendid Christians these
Chinese make!" exclaimed Paul St. John more than once.
There was one visitor still to come. Mr. Crawford had begged to be
allowed to join the party, at any rate for a few hours, and they could
not do less than offer him hospitality. It was Christmas Eve, and the
chiming of the bells floated sweetly to them through the frosty air.
Cicely and Nina, arm in arm, were on the terrace, listening to the
bells. There was also a sound of carriage wheels which Nina did not
appear to hear.
"Are they not sweet?" said Nina to Mrs. Ross, who had joined them.
"Yes, but do you know, Nina," Lilian Ross replied archly, and almost in
a whisper, "I think I hear something else besides, a long way off,
perhaps--but still I think I hear besides--the sound of wedding bells."
R. W. SIMPSON & CO., LTD.
Printers, Richmond Press, Richmond and London.