At the same
time, some of you have ties, wives and children, whom you may not
consider yourselves justified in leaving, even upon an occasion
like this. Some of you, I know, will accompany me; but if any one
feels any doubts, from the reasons I have stated--if any one
considers that he has no right to run this tremendous risk--let him
say so at once, and I shall respect his feelings, and my friendship
and good-will will in no way be diminished."
As Mr. Hardy ceased, his eye wandered round the circle of
stalwart-looking figures around him, and rested upon the Jamiesons.
No one answered for a moment, and then the elder of the brothers
spoke:
"Mr. Hardy, it was right and kind of you to say that any who might
elect to stay behind would not forfeit your respect and esteem, but
I for one say that he would deservedly forfeit his own. We have all
known and esteemed the Mercers. We have all known, and I may say,
loved you and your family. From you we have one and all received
very great kindness and the warmest hospitality. We all know and
love the dear child who has been carried away; and I say that he
who stays behind is unworthy of the name of a man. For myself and
brother, I say that if we fall in this expedition--if we never set
eyes upon our wives again--we shall die satisfied that we have only
done our duty.
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