you dead sure of this? Will it work?'

'Do you mean,' said Craig, taking him up promptly, 'can Jesus Christ
save you from your sins and make a man of you?'

The old man nodded, keeping his hungry eyes on the other's face.

'Well, here's His message to you: "The Son of Man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost."'

'To me? To me?' said the old man eagerly.

'Listen; this, too, is His Word: "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no
wise cast out." That's for you, for here you are, coming.'

'You don't know me, Mr. Craig. I left my baby fifteen years ago
because--'

'Stop!' said the minister. 'Don't tell me, at least not to-night;
perhaps never. Tell Him who knows it all now, and who never betrays a
secret. Have it out with Him. Don't be afraid to trust Him.'

Nelson looked at him, with his face quivering, and said in a husky
voice, 'If this is no good, it's hell for me.'

'If it is no good,' replied Craig, almost sternly, 'it's hell for all of
us.'

The old man straightened himself up, looked up at the stars, then back
at Mr. Craig, then at me, and, drawing a deep breath, said, 'I'll try
Him.' As he was turning away the minister touched him on the arm, and
said quietly, 'Keep an eye on Sandy to-morrow.'

Nelson nodded, and we went on; but before we took the next turn I looked
back and saw what brought a lump into my throat. It was old man Nelson
on his knees in the snow, with his hands spread upward to the stars,
and I wondered if there was any One above the stars, and nearer than the
stars, who could see. And then the trees hid him from my sight

CHAPTER II

THE BLACK ROCK CHRISTMAS

Many strange Christmas Days have I seen, but that wild Black Rock
Christmas stands out strangest of all. While I was revelling in my
delicious second morning sleep, just awake enough to enjoy it, Mr. Craig
came abruptly, announcing breakfast and adding, 'Hope you are in good
shape, for we have our work before us this day.'

'Hello!' I replied, still half asleep, and anxious to hide from the
minister that I was trying to gain a few more moments of snoozing
delight, 'what's abroad?'.

'The devil,' he answered shortly, and with such emphasis that I sat bolt
upright, looking anxiously about.

'Oh! no need for alarm. He's not after you particularly--at least not
to-day,' said Craig, with a shadow of a smile. 'But he is going about in
good style, I can tell you.'

By this time I was quite awake. 'Well, what particul