Heavenly Father, he rose from his knees and began his preparations for
bed.

"Well, sonny, I hope you will sleep soundly and well after saying your
prayers like the goodest of little boys," sneered Hunt.

"I shall sleep none the worse," returned Max pleasantly.

"I'll bet not a bit better than I shall without going through any such
baby-like performance."

"God is very good and often takes care of those who don't ask him to,"
said Max; "but I don't think they have any right to expect it; also I am
sure I should be shamefully ungrateful if I were to lie down for my
night's rest without a word of thanks to him for his protecting care
over me and mine through the day that is just past. As to its being a
baby-like performance, it is one in which some of the greatest, as well
as best men, have indulged. Washington was a man of prayer. So was
General Daniel Morgan--that grand revolutionary officer who whipped
Tarleton so completely at the battle of the Cowpens. There was
Macdonough also, who gained that splendid victory over the British on
Lake Champlain in the war of 1812-14. Have you forgotten that just
before the fight began, after he had put springs on his cables, had the
decks cleared, and everything was ready for action, with his officers
and men around him, he knelt down near one of his heaviest guns and in a
few words asked God to help him in the coming struggle? He might well do
that, because, as you know of course, we were in the right, fighting
against oppression and wrongs fit to rouse the indignation of the most
patient and forbearing of mortals."