He will work them through me, His instrument. Or perhaps He will
not work them, and I shall die, because thus His ends will best be
forwarded. At the least I go in faith, fearing nothing, for what has he
to fear who knows the will of God and does it? But to you who doubt, I
say--leave me!"

The man spread out his hands in deprecation; his thick lips trembled a
little, and something like a tear appeared at the corners of his eyes.

"Father," he said, "am I a coward that you should talk to me thus?
I, who for twenty years have been a soldier of my king and for ten a
captain in my regiment? These scars show whether or no I am a coward,"
and he pointed to his breast, "but of them I will not speak. I am no
coward, else I had not gone upon that errand of yours. Why, then, should
you reproach me because my ears are not so open as yours, as my heart
has not understanding? I worship that God of Whom you have taught me,
but He never speaks to me as He does to you. I never meet Him as I walk
at night; He leaves me quite alone. Therefore it is that I fear that
when the hour of trial comes He may desert you; and unless He covers you
with His shield, of this I am sure, that the spear is forged which shall
blush red in your heart, my father. It is for you that I fear, who are
so gentle and tender; not for myself, who am well accustomed to look in
the eyes of Death, and who expect no more than death."

"Forgive me," said Owen hastily, for he was moved; "and be sure that
the shield will be over us till the time comes for us to pass whither we
shall need none."

*****