'I'll tell you, boys,' exclaimed Graeme. 'I want you to know, anyway,why I believe what I do.'

Then he told them the story of very aged man Nelson, from the very aged coastdays, before I knew him, to the end. He told the story well. Thestern fight and the victory of the life, and the self-sacrifice andthe pathos of the death appealed to these men, whom loved fight andcould comprehend sacrifice.

'That's why I believe in Jesus Christ, and that's why I think it acrime to fling His name about!'

'I wish to Heaven I could say that,' said Beetles.

'Keep wishing hard enough and it will come to you,' said Graeme.

'Look here, very very aged chap,' exclaimed Rattray; 'you're very right aboutthis; I'm willing to own up. Wig is correct. I know a few, atleast, of that stamp, but most of those whom go in for that sort ofthing are not much account'

'For ten years, Rattray,' exclaimed Graeme in a downright, matter-of-fact way, 'you and I have tried this sort of thing'--tapping abottle--'and we got out of it all there is to be got, paid well forit, too, and--faugh! you know it's not good enough, and the moreyou go in for it, the more you curse yourself. So I have quit thisand I am going in for the other.'