grave of its master � he could contemplate death for himself with absolute indifference � but not for the whose sturdy strength and splendid had seemed to defy all danger as he knelt and wept a soft change a delicate swept over the dark bosom of the sky pale pink streaks glittered on the dusky horizon � of light began to climb up into the clouds and to plunge downwards into the water � the radiance spread and gradually formed into a broad band of deep crimson which burned with a fixed and intense glow � like rays and streamed about it as though uncertain what fantastic shape they should take to best display their brilliancy this tremulous hesitation of varying colour did not last long the whole jewel like mass swept together and with extraordinary swiftness for a few seconds � then suddenly and clearly defined in the sky a crown blazed forth � a crown of perfect shape its five points distinctly and separately and flashing as with a million and diamonds the red lustre warmly tinged the pale features of the dying man and startled who sprang to his feet and gazed at that mystic with a cry of wonder at the same moment stirred and began to speak without opening his eyes dawn on the sea he murmured the white waves gleam and sparkle beneath the and the ship makes swift way through the waters it is dawn in my heart � the dawn of love for thee and me my � fear not the rose of passion is a hardy flower that can bloom in the north as well as in the south believe me � he suddenly opened his eyes and his surroundings raised himself half erect set sail he cried pointing with a majestic motion of his arm to the glittering in the sky why do we linger the wind us and the tide sweeps forward � forward see how the lights from the harbour he bent his brows the land of the long shadow and looked almost angrily at do what thou hast to do and his tones were sharp and imperious i must press on an expression of terror pain and pity passed over the sailor s countenance � for one instant he hesitated � the next he descended into the hold of the vessel he was absent for a very little space � but when he returned his eyes were wild as though he had been engaged in some dark and criminal deed was still gazing at the brilliancy in the heavens which seemed to increase in size and lustre as the wind rose higher took his hand � it was icy cold and damp with the of death let me go with thee he implored in broken accents i fear nothing why should i not venture also on the last voyage made a faint but decided sign of the sails alone to the grave of his fathers he said with a serene and proud smile alone � alone neither wife nor child nor may have place with him in his ship � even so have the gods willed it farewell the ropes and let me go � thou me ill � hasten � hasten � i am weary of waiting his head fell back � that mysterious shadow which the face of the dying a moment before dissolution was on him now just then a strange began to the air � little wreaths of pale smoke made their slow way through the boards of the deck � and the fierce gust of wind blowing from the mountains swayed the uneasily to and fro slowly and with evident reluctance commenced the work of her from the pier � feeling instinctively all the while that his master s dying eyes were fixed upon him when but one slender rope remained to be cast off he knelt by the old man s side and whispered that all was done at the same moment a small stealthy tongue of red flame curled upwards through the deck from the hold � and observing this smiled i see thou hast thine oath he said gratefully pressing s hand tis the last act of thine � may the gods reward thy peace be with thee � we shall meet hereafter already the light shines from the rainbow bridge � there � there are the golden peaks of the hills and the stretch of the wide sea go delay no longer for my soul is impatient � it it struggles to be free i go � and � farewell stricken to the heart and full of anguish � yet like in his submission and resignation to the inevitable � kissed his master s hand for the last time then with a sort of fierce sobbing groan wrung from the very depths of his despairing grief he turned resolutely away and sprang off the vessel standing at the extreme edge of the pier he let slip the last rope that bound her � her sails filled and � her she shuddered on the water � a little � then paused in that brief moment a loud triumphant cry rang through the air leaped upright on the deck as though lifted by some invisible hand and confronted his terrified servant who gazed at him in fascinated amazement and awe his white hair gleamed hke spun silver � his face was and wore a strange look of pale yet splendid majesty � the dark that clung about him in folds to his feet hark he cried and his voice with deep and mellow clearness hark to the thunder of the galloping hoofs � see � see the glitter of the shield and spear i she comes � ah he raised his arms as though in ecstasy glory � joy � victory and like a noble tree struck down by lightning he fell � dead even as he fell the plunged 