Near noon Sherburne resolved to build a fire in
a cove protected by cliffs and heavy timber, and give his men warm food
lest they become dispirited.
It was a task to set the wet wood, but the men of his command, used to
forest life, soon mastered it. Then they threw on boughs and whole tree
trunks, until a great bonfire blazed and roared merrily, thrusting out
innumerable tongues of red and friendly flame.
"Is there anything more beautiful than a fine fire at such a time?"
said St. Clair to Harry. "As it blazes and eats into the wood it
crackles and those crackling sounds are words."
"What do the words say?"
"They say, 'Come here and stand before me. So long as you respect me and
don't come too close I'll do you nothing but good. I'll warm you and
I'll dry you. I'll drive the wet from your skin and your clothes,
and I'll chase the cold out of your body and bones. I'll take hold of
your depressed and sunken heart and lift it up again. Where you saw only
gray and black I'll make you see gold and red. I'll warm and cook your
food for you, giving you fresh life and strength. With my crackling
coals and my leaping flames I'll change your world of despair into a
world of hope.'"
"Hear! Hear!" said Happy Tom.
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