The Torn Bible; Or, Hubert's Best Friend

								

an hour they would be in London.
"Do you go to your ship at once?" inquired a gentleman who was seated
beside the coachman, and who had not only come all the journey with
Hubert, but who appeared particularly interested in him.
"I should like to go very much," replied the boy, "because I know no one
in London, though my leave of absence is not up till to-morrow."
"My brother is captain of your vessel," said the stranger; "so, if you
like, we can go together, for I am on the way to say good-bye to him."
Nothing could have suited Hubert better; so, upon leaving the coach,
which reached London as the clocks were striking five, they hurried off
to the street where the mail started for Portsmouth, and after
travelling all day they reached the vessel. How happy was Hubert that
night! what a joyous glow was on his cheek! Several of his old
companions were there, and not one of them appeared to have any sorrow
at leaving friends and home; they greeted each other with light hearts
and buoyant spirits, talked of the varied enjoyments of the past
holiday, and laughed loud and long, as they sat together in the
mess-room.
Here and there, apart from the young ones, in nook and corner, or
leaning over the side of the vessel, an older head resting upon the
hand, told that with some, at least, the pang of parting from home and
dear ones had left its impress upon the heart of the soldier; and there
was one young lad, a stranger, only one month older than Hubert, seated
upon a coil of rope, weeping as though his heart would break. The little
cabin-boy, a child of eleven, tried to soothe him, but the sailors, as
they passed by, said, "Let him alone, boy, and he'll join his messmates
below all the sooner."
Night closed at last, and for a few hours, at least, there was silence:
sleep may not have visited every pillow, but the loud laugh was hushed,
and the stillness of night rested upon the vessel.
It was late the next morning when Hubert left his cabin; all was noise
and confusion; hundreds of soldiers were moving about, and Hubert, to
escape from the turmoil, was preparing to go ashore when a superior
officer touched him on the shoulder and desired him to remain in the
vessel. Hubert was vexed at the order, and sat down gloomily upon a
seat; the time, however, passed quickly by, and at noon, when the bugle
sounded to summon all visitors on deck, that they might be sent on
shore, he had forgotten his anger, and was one of the most cheerful
there.
The friends were gone, all the partings were over, the gangways were
secured, and everything was ready. Wind and tide in favour, time was
precious, and the roll was called: every soldier, to a man, answered to
his name, and they gave three hearty cheers for King George, their
regiment, and Old England.
"The ship will weigh anchor in less than an hour," said a voice close to
Hubert's ear, and, turning round, he saw the gentleman who had