"Father, was this your compass that you took on your voyage?"

Christian Nesmith walked from the attic of his house down to his father's study. His father, Colonel Robert Nesmith of the English guard, stood waiting for him at the bottom of the steps.

"Why do you want this rusty old thing?" Michael said, looking at the compass.

"Well, I thought it would remind me of home. And those people you told me about long ago. Your friends."

Michael felt himself growing weak. He wiped a tear from his eye.

"Father? Are you all right?"

"Yes, son. I am fine. Leave me now. Continue to pack for your voyage."

Michael went back to his study and sat down, clutching the compass in his hand. It had been twenty years since he had last looked at that compass. It was a gift from his friend, Captain Peter Tork. It still pained him to think of Peter, and the whole voyage that they went on together. They went on a voyage to start a settlement in the New World in 1597-it fell through. However, ten years later another expedition left for the America and it succeeded. Now, his son Christian decided he would go to the settlement and begin a new life. Michael was too old, and unwilling to accompany him. His thoughts always turned to Peter and his friend's loving wife Miracle.

He could still remember that fateful day in the courtroom. Miracle was freed from imprisonment. Still, the cough that had worried Michael got to her. Miracle had caught Pneumonia, a disease foreign to her system. She died on February 6, 1597, just one short week from her and Peter's six-month wedding anniversary. Michael, as well as his friends Micky and David, were heartbroken. But Peter was devastated. He and Miracle had been through so much together, and just when they thought everything was wonderful, Miracle lost her life. Peter, like all great lovers, did not last long after his Miracle. He was found dead on February 28, 1597, peacefully laying in his bed, his soul at rest.

Michael, Micky, and David were all upset about the tragedies, but they did carry on in their lives. David took his place in the British court. He was disheartened by the death of his godmother, Queen Elizabeth early in the new century, but continued his work, becoming a confidant to her successor, King James I.

Micky still followed the explorations of the New World. He traveled back to the land in 1607, and helped establish the Jamestown settlement. Word traveled back with John Smith that Micky had died of scurvy a few months after the settlement got underway.

Michael never really did get over the death of Peter and Miracle, as well as the death of Micky. He had loved Miracle with all his heart, but never told this to anyone. Miracle, however, knew his true feelings. Michael married, and had three sons. His oldest son Christian was now 19 and was ready for the hardships and freedom of the New World. Michael let him go freely, but prayed that Christian wouldn't have to go through the struggle that he had.

"Christian! Come here please!" Michael yelled.

Christian came running down the steps with youthful spirit.

"Yes father?" Christian said.

"Sit down at the desk son, and begin to write." Michael commanded.

Christian did as he was told, quietly preparing the ink and paper.

"I am ready."

"Good. Now take these words down."

Michael cleared his throat and closed his eyes. He allowed all the memories that had been pushed aside come out with full force.

"Destiny brought the two of you together. You followed your hearts and defeated all the toilsome obstacles in your path. You gained friends; you lost friends. You were surrounded by people that tried to spitefully abuse you. But, you both overcame all the odds, for, you both had attained the main goal: having each other. Now, spend your eternity in the delight that God has given you one another, and you are finally at peace, and with love. To Peter who has been saved by the grace of God, and blessed--with his Miracle."

Christian looked up at his father awestruck. He put his quill down and went over to Michael and hugged him.

"Father, how could you ever keep that in?" Christian asked.

"There was a period when I had to keep it in. It was time for it to be told." Michael replied, crying. Christian was astonished, for he had never seen his father cry.

"What do you want me to do with this?"

"Take it to my friend David, and he will have those words made into a glorious epitaph. Take it with you to Jamestown." Michael handed his son a small piece of paper. "This will show you where to place it. Please, son, do not lose it."

"I won't father. I will do what you ask."

They embraced each other once more.
"Now, you better go back to packing now." Michael said, "But, don't forget to pack this."

He tossed Christian the small brass compass. Christian smiled; taking the possessions entrusted to him by his father, and shut the study door.