Grace Darling Part 25

"So you have seen the interior of the castle, Mr. Darling? It is a very grand place, both outside and in, and there are wonderful pictures and so on, but I a.s.sure you that I shall have the pleasure of showing you things far more astonishing and interesting than you have seen yet.

Come with me! Now, this is the seat of Henry Hotspur, what do you think of that?"

Old memories came rushing over Grace, and especially of the border ballads which she had learned long ago.

"Lord Percy made a solemn feast, In Alnwick's princely hall, And there came lords, and there came knights, His chiefs and barons all."

"Now, come into the armoury, Miss Grace, for there are things there that are particularly well worth looking at. Now, these are weapons used in the French war. The Duke of Northumberland raised an army of volunteers, and he supported them, too, and these are the arms we used."

"Were you then one of the volunteers who served under the command of His Grace?" inquired Miss Darling.

"Yes, indeed," said the man, with a touch of natural pride; "I was one of them, and would not have been left out of the number for a good deal."

"What are these things?" inquired Grace, as they stood near some very simple implements of warfare.

"They were brought from Otaheite," replied their guide. "Take them in your hands, Miss Grace, and see what you think of them, and what use you could make of them."

"I understand the use of an English oar much better," said Grace, with a smile, and this brought another of the many compliments which the guide pa.s.sed upon her prowess and gallantry.

"This is one of the canoes which they use," he continued; "will you get in and endeavour to paddle yourself across the lake?"

Grace was delighted to make the attempt, and still more pleased when she succeeded in it.

After the usual remarks of the guide had been duly attended to, he directed their attention to the donjon-keep--an abode so full of dreary horror, that to it might justly be applied Dante's motto above the gates of Eblis. Mr. Darling and Grace pursued this tour around the ramparts of the castle, admiring afresh the view down the soft green sloping lawn, to the beautiful and varied windings of the Aln. They and their guide had by this time become familiar, and many a treasured legend and traditionary tale were told relating to the house of Percy.

Stopping near a piece of artillery of an unusual design, their conductor desired them to observe with attention its form and appearance, for (continued he) I must tell you a singular circ.u.mstance respecting this field-piece. "Many years ago this cannon was taken by a party of English soldiers, during an engagement with the Spanish army on the banks of the Tagus, brought to this country, and some time after presented to His Grace. It happened on a Sunday morning, that two Spanish officers, pa.s.sing through Alnwick, desired to see through the castle. When arrived at this particular spot, they stopped short, one of them exclaiming, 'By heavens! this is the cannon lost by my men on the banks of the Tagus!' 'Ha, ha! Mr. Darling, was it not a good joke that this very Spanish officer should have come all the way to Alnwick Castle to find a favourite piece of cannon lost by himself in his own country?' When His Grace returned from church, I took an opportunity of relating the whole circ.u.mstance, and that I believed, from their manners, they would have liked to have taken it away with them. The reply made by His Grace was--'They should have taken more care of it when they had it.' 'Ha, ha! young lady, they should have taken more care when they had it!'" [1]

After this the pleasant visit soon came to an end; but even before it did so, Grace found it difficult to concentrate her thoughts upon the remarks of their amusing guide. The mention of the word Spain brought to the mind of the girl a lady whom in all fidelity she loved still, who was at that time dwelling in that country--namely, Miss Caroline Dudley. The girl felt that to see her friend again would give her greater pleasure than many of the honours that were heaped upon her; and she could not resist the feeling of regret and melancholy that stole over her as she thought of the great distance between them. She wondered, no doubt, whether the fame of her deed would reach the ear of her friend, and if so, what she would think of it. Woman-like, Grace would surely value much more the simple expression of approbation which fell from the lips, or was written by the hand of one whom she loved, than all the flatteries which the press heaped upon her, and the crowd endorsed.

The day spent at the castle remained in the memory of Grace for another reason than that of the kindly notice of the d.u.c.h.ess of Northumberland.

It was known in Alnwick that the heroine whom they all delighted to honour was in the neighbourhood, and the town became astir with the news. All who were acquainted with Grace knew that she shrank from publicity and formality; but such an opportunity could not be allowed to pa.s.s unimproved, and therefore the folk did their best to show the maiden how much they loved her for her heroic conduct. The news was rapidly circulated through the town, and an immense crowd gathered outside the castle, and waited for the Darlings. No sooner did they appear than the concourse sent up such a cheer that the air rang with it. Surely no people can shout like the English can; for they put their hearts into their voices when their enthusiasm has been really aroused, and then the applause has a most thrilling sound. It was, however, almost more than Grace could bear, and it frightened her so much that she clung to her father for his protection. Again the loud hurrahs rose in the air, and Grace's face turned pale, and her heart beat violently.

"Do not be afraid, Grace. Only look at the people, and you will find that they are all your friends."

Truly they were; and though, like English crowds, they were a little boisterous, and though they did press closely to Grace, in order to have a look at her, and though they tried to touch her hands, or at all events her clothes, their faces were so friendly, and they looked so good-humoured, and were evidently so delighted with their own good fortune, that it was impossible for Grace to feel very antagonistic.

Still she could not help shrinking from so public a manifestation of the feelings of the people, even though the feelings themselves were kindly toward her; and as the crowd which escorted her increased in numbers, and became even more noisy in its demonstration of delight, she was heartily glad when the abode of her brother was reached, and she could shut the door upon the admirers, and find the quiet for which she longed.

She was even more glad when it was time to return to her dear island home; and when she reached it, she found there had been visitors to the lighthouse, who had regretted to have missed seeing her.

She and her father had been gone some time when a boat came to the island; and two men landed--one elderly, and the other young and handsome. They were dressed like seamen, but were evidently of a superior cla.s.s to that of the ordinary sailor.

They found Mrs. Darling, and immediately inquired after her husband and daughter, and were not a little surprised and gratified when they heard that Grace had been summoned to Alnwick Castle, on a visit to the d.u.c.h.ess of Northumberland.

"You may well be proud of your honour, Mrs. Darling," said the elder man. "Pretty Grace will be holding her head high after such favour, and lucky will the lad be who wins her love. What do you say, Tom?"

The young man thus addressed said nothing, but his evident embarra.s.sment, and increase of colour, showed that Grace's heroism had touched his heart. He showed his feelings so plainly that he had to endure the usual penance inflicted in such cases, for both Mrs. Darling and the young man's companion laughed heartily at him.

"You will stay until my husband and daughter return!" said Mrs.

Darling, with her usual hospitality; and the younger man looked eagerly toward his companion.

"No, thank you, we cannot," replied the latter. "It will be getting dark soon, and we must reach Holy Island before the shadows come. Now then, Tom, hand out the parcel we have brought for Grace, and let us be going."

They had left the island about an hour when Grace and her father reached it. Mrs. Darling was anxious to hear all they had to tell her of the eventful day; and her mother's pride received much gratification when she learned all the particulars.

Then she told them of the visitors that she had had; and at the mention of Tom's name, the colour came into Grace's face. She knew Tom very well. He was an orphan, and his bachelor uncle, who had now accompanied him, had taken care of him since his parents died. He was a frequent visitor at the lighthouse, and long before Grace Darling's name was famous, it had become dear to him. The girl knew that Tom loved her, and it was this knowledge which made her blush. It is true that Tom had never confessed to the feeling that glowed in his breast, but Grace, with a woman's quick-wittedness, comprehended it. Her mother wondered if she also returned it; but at present, notwithstanding her blushes, she did not give him the love that he evidently felt for her.

So ended one of the most eventful days in the girl's history; and very happy it must have made her to feel that her simple effort in the cause of humanity had commended itself both to the rich and great, and to those who lived in the humbler walks of life. So true it is that a good deed, by whomsoever performed, is recognised and admired by all who know of it. The world is not as cold as it seems. And sometimes it can feel, not envy and malice only, but real admiration and respect.

It is a pity that there are not more good deeds done, and more of the right kind of enthusiasm created.

[1] "Grace Darling," by W. & T. Fordyce. 1839. [Transcriber's note: This date was blurred--it appears to be 1839, but may be 1889.]

CHAPTER XV.

THE DARLING FAMILY AT HOME.

"The merry homes of England!

Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the rudy light!

There woman's voice glows forth in song, Or childhood tale is told, Or lips move tunefully along Some glorious page of old.

"The cottage homes of England!

By thousands on her plains, They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, And round the hamlet fanes; Through glowing orchards forth they peep, Each from its nook of leaves; And fearless there the lonely sleep, As the bird beneath their eaves.

"The free fair homes of England!

Long long in hut and hall May hearts of native proof be reared To guard each hallowed wall!

And green for ever be the groves, And bright the flowery sod, Where first the child's glad spirit loves Its country and its G.o.d."--Mrs. Hemans.

It was said by One who knew the hearts of men, "A prophet is not without honour save in his own country and in his own house," and there is a pathos and truth about it that is often felt. Still, sometimes it happens, very happily for those whom it concerns, that the best friends one has are those of one's own household. It was certainly so in the case of Grace Darling. She was always the favourite of her brothers and sisters, and so delighted were they with the deed she had done, and the honours she had won, that it is a wonder that they did not come home to the lighthouse in a body to congratulate her and share in her many honours. They did, however, look forward to the Christmas holidays on that occasion, with most pleasant antic.i.p.ations, believing that the festival of the year, so memorable in the history of their family would be one of the most happy they had ever spent. And so it was--to Grace especially. She looked forward to it most eagerly, for the praise she had received had made her, not less, but more loving to these friends of her own home. Most of them she had not seen for a year, and she thought with a thrill of delight of the joy that was in store for her when they should again be happily together. She was glad to have received the praise and gifts she had, because she knew that it would be a gratification to them, and she often imagined the pleasure with which she would show them the testimonials and presents which had been given to her. Indeed, it is said that so excited was she, that she could not sleep for thinking about it.

At last the long-looked-for time came, and the Darling family was altogether once more in their beloved lighthouse home, and the antic.i.p.ations were realised. At first, there was actually a little shy reserve, or distance, in the manner of some of them, as if they expected that their sister would have become a fine lady since so much fuss had been made with her. But Grace, who soon detected this feeling, laughed so merrily at the absurdity of the idea that it soon vanished, and they were brought to see and feel that her honours had not made her one whit less affectionate and humble than she was when they all lived together, and their sister had not been so much as heard of in the great world. They gathered thankfully and joyously around the cheerful fire, and looked into each other's faces, seeing only pleasure and peace there, and the hours pa.s.sed swiftly, as they thought of Him who came to bring salvation to the world. He seemed to have touched anew the hearts of the Darlings, and made them full of peace and good-will to all the world.

Letters, even at Christmas time, are looked for most eagerly by the dwellers in the lonely lighthouses around our coast; and during these holidays a letter came to the Darlings which filled the whole family with joy. It was from the Trinity House, London, and it contained a high eulogium upon the heroic conduct of Mr. Darling and Grace, and said that the managers had pleasure in appointing Mr. Brooks Darling to be his father's a.s.sistant. They had observed the frequency of wrecks on the coast near the Farne Islands, and saw that another man was a necessity, and felt that none could better discharge the duty than one of the same family. The "Berwick Advertiser" thus speaks of the appointment:--

"The gentlemen of the Trinity House, London, have appointed Mr. Brooks Darling, son of Mr. William Darling, to be his a.s.sistant at the outer lighthouse. This is a most judicious step. The Trinity House has also placed another man on the inner Farne light, making three men now upon the island. An agent of Lloyd's is also to be appointed at Bamborough."

Brooks Darling had already shown himself worthy of the honoured name which he bore. He was one of the brave men who went out from North Sunderland to the wreck of the "Forfarshire," and placed his life in jeopardy, as did his six companions, by doing so. They managed to gain the Farne lights, however, and remained there during the continuance of the storm. He had shown that he also possessed the characteristics of his family, for he was intrepid, courageous, and humane.

He would have plenty of opportunities in his new position for the display of these qualities. It had often caused his father the greatest pain to witness wrecks which he was utterly powerless to aid.

One man could do almost nothing alone under such circ.u.mstances; and his heart had often ached as he saw n.o.ble ships, and more valuable human lives, destroyed on the terrible rocks. But now that his son would be with him, he felt that together they might be the means of saving, not a few, but many. It will therefore be seen that this change contributed more than a little to the joys of that Christmas time. It may be interesting to state that a son of Brooks Darling is now (1876) the keeper of the Souter Point lighthouse, Durham.

It was found on this occasion that there was no need to resort to the usual active Christmas games in order to make the time pa.s.s pleasantly, for nothing was so agreeable and interesting to the family now as long conversations. Grace, of course, was ever the chief object of all their admiration, and they never wearied of asking her questions and hearing her account of honours she had received and visits she had paid. Besides talking to them, however, "Aunt Grace" joined in the games, which, for the amus.e.m.e.nt of the children, were entered into, and the aged couple, Mr. and Mrs. Darling, watched with delight the merry pleasures of their grand-children, and the kindly attentions of their beloved home-staying Grace, who was never too busy or too tired to sing ballads, or tell stories, to the children, who were even now proud and fond of their famous aunt.

But it was after the children had gone to bed that the grown-up people had the best of the pleasure. One night when the weather was wild, and the wind whistled around the house, and the sea was tossing up its dark waves, Robert succeeded in getting from Grace a description of her sensations when she went out to the wreck of the "Forfarshire."