human
I felt sure ye'd come, he whispered.
gpt
They told me I couldna get at ye, but I had a feeling that I should see ye before I died.
human
It may not be as bad as that, he said,
gpt
Nay, said McPhail,
human
I'm pipped, I have got to go. I'm not in any pain, though, he added quickly,
gpt
I will do anything you ask me, McPhail, was Tom's reply.
human
Ay, but don't give up; you may get well yet, and have another smack at the Germans.
gpt
Nay, replied the other,
human
I have done my bit. I would like to live a bit longer, but there, it's a' for the best. I'm not afraid, Tom; do you remember that night before we came out here, when we left the canteen together?
gpt
Ay, I remember.
human
I settled it that night, said the Scotchman.
gpt
You remember me tellin' ye that I was always a thinking sort o' laddie? Weel, when I got away by mysel' that night I made up my mind, and I just accepted the way o' salvation, which my mither explained to me when I were a wee laddie. And it worked, Tom! It worked! I laughed at releegion when I was wi' you in Lancashire; but man, there's nothing else that stands by a man. Ay, and it works, it does. I want ye to write to my mither and tell her this. Tell her that I gave my life to the Lord on the night before I left England, that I have not touched a drap of drink since then, and that I died with the love of God in my heart. Will you tell her, Tom?
human
Ay, said Tom,
gpt
I will.
human
Write down her address, will ye?
gpt
It will comfort her, said McPhail when this was done.
human
It will make her feel that her teaching and her example were not in vain.
gpt
Ay, but you must not die, you must not die,
human
Dinna talk like that, lad, said the Scotchman.
gpt
I have been thinking it all oot sin' I have been here, and it's richt. It's a'richt. Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, and you can't purge away iniquity without paying the price: I am a part of the price, Tom. The Son of God died that others might live. That's not only a fact, it is a principle. Thousands of us are dying that others may live. Christ died that He might give life and liberty to the world, and in a way that is what we are doing. I can't richtly explain it, it's too deep for me; but I see glimpses of the truth. Tom, have you learnt the secret yourself?
human
I think I have, replied Tom.
gpt
On the night of the attack I was on sentry duty, and while I was alone I--I prayed. I could not say it in words like, they wouldn't come, but I am sure I got the grip of it, and I feel as though God spoke to me.
human
That's it, lad, that's it! said the dying man eagerly.
gpt
Tom, do ye think ye could pray now?