"Excuse me, sir, have you got a Bible?"
"Well--a--really, my dear sir," he replied, somewhat confusedly, "I must
confess that I have not. The fact is, that it is somewhat inconvenient
to carry books in such regions, and I did not think of bringing a Bible.
Perhaps some one of our party may have one, however."
None of the party replied to the major's look except Tom Brown, who
quietly said--
"There is one, I believe, in the bottom of my trunk; one of my sisters
told me she put it there, but I cannot say positively that I have seen
it."
"Will you accept of one?" said the missionary, rising; "we start at an
early hour in the morning, and before going I would like to remind you,
gentlemen, that eternity is near--nearer perchance than we suppose to
some of us, and that medicine is required for the soul even more than
for the body. Jesus Christ, the great Physician, will teach you how to
use it, if you will seek advice from himself. I feel assured that you
will not take this parting word ill. Good night, gentlemen. I will
give the drugs to your guide before leaving, and pray that God may
prosper you in your way and give you success."
There was a long silence round the camp-fire after the missionary had
left. When night closed in, and the sportsmen had retired to rest, the
minds of most of them dwelt somewhat seriously on the great truth which
he had stated--that medicine is needed not only for the body but the
soul.