“We’ve been praying for you, you know, not just for the ‘Chinook’!” Peter put in.
Mr. Harris smiled. “Yes, Peter, I’m sure of that. And I needed your prayers.” His face was serious. “I’m just sorry to think of the time I’ve lost and how selfish I’ve been, pleasing myself, making a lot of money …”
“But if you’re giving this boat to Mr. Baird for mission work, you’re making up fast!” Peter said.
“I don’t think we can ever make up for wasted time, Peter,” Mr. Harris answered. “That is why it is good to dedicate ourselves to God when we’re young and able to give our lives in His service. I’ll always regret the lost years.” Then he smiled. “We’ll soon be there now! You know, even before the ‘Ambassador’ was damaged she was in need of a new engine, so Mr. Baird really needed some help along the way. I like to think the ‘Chinook’ is going to take over the work of a mission boat along the coast of British Columbia.”
“Boy, Mr. Baird will sure be thrilled!” Donald said. “This is twice the size of his old ‘Ambassador.’”
They were already in Gowlland Harbor, slipping in alongside the camp jetty. The boys scrambled out on deck and looked at the old “Ambassador” with her crumpled bow. Mr. Harris tooted the ship’s whistle. Peter and Donald sprang lightly ashore and began to tie up the new mission ship.
They heard a shout and saw Mr. and Mrs. Baird running down the grassy slope toward the water, the camp workers close behind them. They came out to the jetty and were soon shaking hands and laughing. For a few moments there was a hubbub of conversation. Suddenly Mr. Baird stopped short and peered over the boys’ shoulders toward the “Chinook.”
“‘Ambassador’! ‘Ambassador’?” he said, much as the boys had done earlier. He looked from one to the other.
Mr. Harris smiled, putting his hand on the ship’s bow. “Yes, this is the ‘Ambassador’ now,” he said. Then he went across to the old mission boat. “I thought maybe I’d call this old boat the ‘Chinook.’ ‘Fair exchange is no robbery’ they say. You take the new ‘Ambassador’ for your mission work and I’ll take the old one down to Vancouver for repair and remodeling. That suit you?”
“You mean …?” Mr. Baird’s hand was flung out in a sort of helpless gesture. Smiling and nodding, Mr. Harris took the hand and gripped it. They stood looking at each other, not talking. With a little cry of pleasure Mrs. Baird stepped aboard the new “Ambassador” for Christ — the old “Chinook” now converted into a mission boat.
Peter and Donald looked at the two men; they too smiled and nodded, then they disappeared into the “Ambassador” to look for their sleeping bags.
Water Chase Page 5