Grandfather's Story (3)

Grandfather then continued, “When I was home again, something happened to me that you will think very strange. Of course, I told my father and mother what had taken place on the voyage, and they shuddered at the thought that I had but narrowly escaped becoming a slave to the Moors. I myself did not give that so much thought, but I did think often of the scare I had when I saw the seed which I thought was gunpowder on the floor. When I spoke about that, the chills ran up and down my back.

“That fright became stronger and stronger, so that I not only lost my former desire to go to sea, but I also firmly resolved not to go to sea again. When therefore after two months the captain, Long Lawrence, asked me to go with him again, I firmly refused. That surprised him, for he meant well with me. But I remained firm. My parents discussed the matter seriously, but could not change my decision. At last they said, ‘Very well, we will not compel you. Doing something against your will is not good. You may stay here.’

“A month later my father died suddenly. Mother was left with six children, of whom I was the oldest. What could we do? I had not learned a trade. ‘Do you know what, Mother?’ I said. ‘I do not want to be a burden to you. I will go to Holland. On the boat they have often told me about that country. Every year thousands of ships come there, there is much trade, and everyone can earn much money. I shall try to find work there, and if I succeed, perhaps I can also take care of you.’”

“But weren't you afraid to go alone to a strange country?” “No, John, many of our young people do that. Besides, hunger is a sharp sword. Mother didn't like it very well, but she could suggest nothing better. The minister and a few other people gave me money to travel, so on a Monday morning I said goodbye to my mother and my brothers and sisters and started on the trip. Besides what I wore, all my possessions were a change of clothes and a few dollars.

“Rostock is very far from the Netherlands, so you understand that in order to get there on the money I had, I had to be careful not to waste any of it. Happily it was summer, and the farmers often gave me a place to sleep for nothing, and sometimes even food besides. Thus I went on, day after day, from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea, until I reached Arnhem, the first major city I came to in the Netherlands. I soon noticed that I could earn nothing there, but must be in Holland proper. So I hired myself out to a German captain from Cologne, who was going to Rotterdam. In that city I hoped to earn what I needed.”

“Did you succeed, Grandfather?” “You shall hear,” said the old man, “but some other time. I must stop now, but I won't forget to continue.”

Safely landed

“And now, John,” said Grandfather two weeks later, when they were together again, “I shall continue, so that you may know how it happened that I stayed in the Netherlands.

“The captain who had hired me had to unload his ship at Rotterdam. On a Saturday afternoon, I remember very well, we were busy unloading. We were on the Meuse River, near the coast, and the river was full of ships, yachts, sailboats, and rowboats, for it was beautiful weather.

“All at once I heard an awful cry. I turned around and saw a small boat lying upside down. A larger vessel, as I noticed later, had run into it. Two men, or rather, boys, were in the water. I noticed immediately that they could swim, but they were looking about anxiously. All the people were shouting, for another person was also in the water, but I could not see him. Because he was unable to swim, he had sunk below the surface. Those who had seen him fall were certain he was under the ship.

“When I was a young boy, I had learned to swim very well, and I could dive like a duck. Without much thought, I took off my shirt, jumped into the water, and dove under the ship. At first I could see nothing, but soon I noticed a dark body that seemed to be struggling. With much effort I grabbed it, and it was the missing boy. As you know, it is rather easy to drag things in the water, and so I succeeded in coming out from under the ship and above water with my burden. It was just in time, for the boy I had rescued was almost dead, and I myself had almost choked. Drowning is really choking, nothing else.

“In the meantime, five or six boats had come to the place, and soon I, with the rescued boy, had been rowed to shore. I wanted to return to my boat immediately, but a welldressed man held me back and said something that I did not understand. I answered in German, and immediately he spoke in the same language, saying, ‘Just come with me; I will speak to your captain.’

“Half an hour later I was in the most beautiful room I had ever seen. The cabin of Long Lawrence was nothing compared to this. After I had been given clean, dry clothes, and had eaten a more delicious meal than I had ever had, either at home or on board, a gentleman, the same one who had spoken to me, came into the room. With him was a lady somewhat older than he. They were the father and the mother of the boy I had saved. I shall not tell you everything they said, but they thanked me a hundred times. A doctor had been called to see the boy, and he was soon in good condition. I also had to be examined by him, they said. I had a very pleasant afternoon, but the best was yet to come. When I was ready to leave, the gentleman asked me what my trade was. I told him that as yet I had none, and I also told him my whole story.

‘“Can you write a letter in German?’ he asked. “‘Yes,’ I said. ‘“Well, then,’ he said, ‘here is a pen and paper. Write in German what has happened this afternoon. When you are finished, I would like to read it.’

“He left, and I went to work, while the servant brought me some bread and a drink. How glad I was that I had studied so well during that last year! The Lord had guided me and cared for me, although I did not know it.

“A few hours later the gentleman returned. I was finished writing. He took the paper and read it slowly and attentively a few times and then said, ‘That was well done, my friend. I had not expected that. You have saved my son, and that is more than I can ever repay you. If you want to stay with me, then with God's help I will do my best for you so that you will have no regrets, and you will find what you are seeking in this country.’

“I did not know what to say, and so I agreed in silence. But when he wanted to add a gift of money, I refused. I had to accept, however, a new suit that the woman had hastily bought for me. When, dressed as a gentleman, I was again walking the streets of the strange city which I had begun to love, tears of happiness and thankfulness came to my eyes. But I forgot to thank Him who for the second time had spared and saved me. It seemed as if in this new, free life I was enjoying in this strange land, I began to forget the Lord entirely, although He had cared for me so faithfully! But He did not forget me.” to be continued

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