The child was brought to me, at my earnest request, and, during the few
days of my sojourn under Dr. Pemberton's roof, managed to make friends
of all around him. His deformity soon became a matter of interest and
medical examination, and it was decided that it was not beyond the reach
of surgical skill.
The process would be very gradual, Dr. Pemberton thought, of
straightening the spinal curvature; but, should the health of the child
prove good after his tardy and difficult dentition, much might be hoped
from the aid of Nature herself. This was joyous intelligence to me.
The noble soul of Ernie should still wear a fitting frame, and the
stature of his kind be accorded to him! The "picaninny" wicked old Sabra
had gloated on as a dainty morsel, on the raft, might live to put Fate
itself to shame; for had I not marveled that his mother even should care
to preserve a thing so frail and wretched, when we sat hand-in-hand
together on the burning ship? And, later, had I not pondered over the
wisdom of his preservation? Who, then, shall penetrate the mysteries of
divine intention?
Claude Bainrothe had been arrested, but, after close and thorough
examination, was dismissed as irresponsible for and ignorant of his
father's acts and designs, a sentence afterward revoked, as far as
public opinion was concerned.
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