Michael McGrath, Postmaster | Page 9

against Her Majesty's private life. In an

instant Ould Michael was on his feet and at the bar.
"Dhrink all around!" he cried. The glares were filled and all stood
waiting. "Gentlemen," said Ould Michael, in his best manner; "I give
you Her Gracious Majesty the Queen, God bless her!" With wild yells
the glasses were lifted high and the toast drunk with three times three.
The German, meantime, stood with his glass untouched. When the
cheers were over he said, with a sneer:
"Shentlemen, fill ub!" The order was obeyed with alacrity.
"I gif you, 'our noble selfs,' and for de Queen" (using a vile epithet),
"she can look after her ownself." Quick as thought Ould Michael raised
his glass and flung its contents into the German's face, saying, as he did
so: "God save the Queen!" With a roar the German was at him, and
before a hand could be raised to prevent it, Ould Michael was struck to
the floor and most brutally kicked. By this time McFarquhar had tossed
back the crowd right and left and, stooping down, lifted Ould Michael
and carried him out into the air, saying in a husky voice:
"He is dead! He is dead!"
But in a moment the old man opened his eyes and said faintly:
"Niver a bit av it, God save----"
His eyes closed again and he became unconscious. They gave him
brandy and he began to revive. Then McFarquhar rose and looked
round for the German. His hair was fairly bristling round his head; his
breath came in short gasps and his little eyes were blood-shot with fury.
"You have smitten an old man and helpless," he panted, "and you ought
to be destroyed from the face of the earth; but I will not smite you as I
would a man, but as I would a wasp."
He swung his long arm like a flail and, with his open hand, smote the
German on the side of the head. It was a terrific blow; under it the
German fell to the earth with a thud. McFarquhar waited a few

moments while the German rose, slowly spitting out broken teeth and
blood.
"Will you now behave yourself," said McFarquhar, moving toward
him.
"Yes, yes, it is enough," said his antagonist hurriedly and went into the
saloon.
We carried Ould Michael to his cabin and laid him on his bed. He was
suffering dreadfully from some inward wound, but he uttered not a
word of complaint. After he had lain still for some time he looked at
McFarquhar.
"What is it, lad?" asked McFarquhar.
"The flag," whispered poor Ould Michael.
"The flag? Do you want the flag?"
He shook his head slowly, still looking beseechingly at his friend. All
at once it came to me.
"You want the flag hauled up, Michael?" I said.
He smiled and eagerly looked towards me.
"I'll run it up at once," I said.
He moved his hand. I came to him and bending over him caught the
words "God save----"
"All right," I answered, "I shall give it all honor."
He smiled again, closed his eyes and a look of great peace came upon
his face. His quarrel with his Queen and country was made up and all
the bitterness was gone from his heart. After an examination as full as I
could make, I came to the conclusion that there were three ribs broken
and an injury, more or less serious, to the lungs; but how serious, I

could not tell. McFarquhar established himself in Ould Michael's cabin
and nursed him day and night. He was very anxious that the minister
should see Ould Michael and, when the day came for Mr. Macleod's
service in Grand Bend, I brought him to Ould Michael's cabin, giving
him the whole story on the way. His highland loyalty was stirred.
"Noble fellow," he said, warmly, "it is a pity he is a Romanist; a sore
pity."
His visit to Ould Michael was not a success. Even McFarquhar had to
confess that somehow his expounding of the way of salvation to Ould
Michael and his prayers, fervent though they were, did not appeal to the
old soldier; the matter confused and worried him. But however much
he failed with Ould Michael there was no manner of doubt that he was
succeeding with McFarquhar. Long and earnest were their talks and,
after every "season," McFarquhar came forth more deeply impressed
with the grand powers of the minister. He Had already established the
"family altar" in his home and was making some slow progress in
instructing his wife and children in "the doctrine of grace," but as Ould
Michael began to grow stronger, McFarquhar's anxiety about his state
grew deeper. Again and again he had the minister in to him, but