Prayers were said aloud, unitedly, and by all of them silently in their own hearts.
After this, Captain Redwood lay resignedly, his children, one on each side of him, nestling within his arms, their heads pillowed upon his breast close together.

They also held one another by the hand, joined in affectionate embrace across the breast of their father.

Not many words were spoken between them; only, now and then, some low murmurs, which betokened the terrible pain they felt, and the fortitude both showed in enduring it.
Now and then, too, their father spoke to them.

At first he had essayed to cheer them with words of encouragement; but as time passed, these seemed to sound hollow in their ears as well as his own, and he changed them to speeches enjoining resignation, and words that told of the "Better Land".

He reminded them that their mother was there, and they should all soon join her.