"I'm afraid," pursued the seaman, closing the book, "that we've both had
a bit too much of the savage about us,--too much of the dancing round
the fire. But mark me, Jack,--we learn even in that book that a savage,
a cannibal _may_ be tamed; and we learn from something far better, that
principle,--the noblest principle which can govern either the young or
the old,--_may_, ay, and _must_, put out the fire of fierce anger in our
hearts, and change us from wild beasts to men! So I've said my say,"
added Jonas with a smile; "and in token of my first victory over my old
foe, come here, my boy, and give us your hand!"
"O uncle, I am so sorry!" exclaimed Johnny, with moistened eyes, as he
felt the kindly grasp of the old man.
"Sorry are you? and what were you on Saturday when I shook you as a cat
shakes a rat?"
"Why, uncle, I own that I was angry."
"Sorry now, and angry then? So it's clear that the mild way has the best
effect, to say nothing of the example." And Jonas fell into a fit of
musing.
All was fair weather and sunshine in the home on that day, and on many
days after. Jonas had, indeed, a hard struggle to subdue his temper, and
often felt fierce anger rising in his heart, and ready to boil over in
words of passion or acts of violence; but Jonas, as he had endeavoured
faithfully to serve his Queen, while he fought under her flag, brought
the same earnest and brave sense of duty to bear on the trials of daily
life.
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