Charlie to the Rescue

Charlie to the Rescue, by R.M.
Ballantyne

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Title: Charlie to the Rescue
Author: R.M. Ballantyne
Release Date: June 7, 2007 [EBook #21720]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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TO THE RESCUE ***

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CHARLIE TO THE RESCUE, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
CHAPTER ONE.
INTRODUCES THE HERO.

To be generally helpful was one of the chief points in the character of
Charlie Brooke.
He was evidently born to aid mankind. He began by helping himself to
everything in life that seemed at all desirable. This was natural, not
selfish.
At first there were few things, apparently, that did seem to his infant
mind desirable, for his earliest days were marked by a sort of chronic
crossness that seemed quite unaccountable in one so healthy; but this
was eventually traced to the influence of pins injudiciously disposed
about the person by nurse. Possibly this experience may have tended to
develop a spirit of brave endurance, and might perhaps account for the
beautiful modifications of character that were subsequently observed in
him. At all events, sweet, patient amiability was a prevailing feature in
the boy long before the years of infancy were over, and this heavenly
aspect of him was pleasantly diversified, in course of time, by
occasional displays of resolute--we might almost say heroic--self-will,
which proved a constant source of mingled pride and alarm to his
widowed mother.
From a very early period of life little Charlie manifested an intense
desire, purpose, and capacity for what may be called his life-work of
rescuing human beings from trouble and danger. It became a passion
with him as years rolled on, and was among the chief means that
brought about the changes in his chequered career.
Appropriately enough he began--almost in babyhood--by rescuing
himself!
It happened thus. One day, when he had reached the immature age of
five, he was left in the nursery for a few moments in company with a
wash-tub, in which his mother had been cleansing the household linen.
Mrs Brooke, it may be remarked, although in the middle ranks of life,
was very much below the middle ranks in financial prosperity, and had
therefore to perform much household drudgery.

Charlie's earnest desire to please and obey his mother constantly came
into collision with that self-will to which we have referred. Separately,
these qualities may perhaps work quietly, at least as regards their
possessor, but unitedly they form a mixture which is apt to become
explosive in early youth.
"Don't touch the tub, Charlie; I'll be back directly," said Mrs Brooke, as
she was leaving the nursery. "Don't even go near it."
"No, muvver, I won't."
He spoke with much decision, for he adored water--not to drink but to
play with--and seemed to realise the danger of his position, and the
necessity for self-control.
The temptation to avail himself of the chance, however, was almost too
much for him. Feeling that an internal conflict was pending, he toddled
to the fire, turned his back to it a la paterfamilias, and glared at the tub,
resolved, come what might, to be "dood." But fate was against him!
Suddenly he became aware that something more than radiated heat was
operating in rear. He glanced behind. His cotton tunic was in flames! In
the twinkling of an eye he was seated in the wash-tub, his hands
clasped in horror as he thought of his guilt, and the flames thoroughly
extinguished!
The solemn glare and pursed mouth with which he met his mother's
look of blank amazement may be imagined but cannot be described--he
looked so quiet, too, and so evidently contented, for the warm water
was congenial!
"O Charlie! did I not say that--"
"Yes, muvver, but I'm bu'nt."
The fearsome and dripping black patch which presented itself to the
agonised mother when she lifted him out of the tub sufficiently
enlightened her and exonerated the child, but her anxiety was not

relieved till she had stripped him naked and ascertained for certain that
no scrap of his fair skin had been injured.
This may be said to have been the real commencement of Charlie
Brooke's career. We mention it chiefly to show that our hero was gifted
with some power of ready resource even in childhood. He was also
gifted with a fearless and daring disposition, a quietly enthusiastic spirit,
a modest mien, and a strong muscular body.
Of course these admirable qualities