Southern planter., 1832-05-05
THE MIpsHIPMAN,s DEATH.



This vivid sketch we take from Tom crnele's Log bv
writer in Baekwook, whose talents have more than once
already mnistered to tho pleasure Of the readers Of the
Atlas.
The only other midshipman on
board the cutter besides young Walcolm whose mis-
cradle death we had witnessed, was a slight deli
cate little fellow about fourteen years old, Of the
name of Duncan; he was the smallest boy Of his
age ever saw, and had been badly hurt in repell-
ing tho attack Of the pirate. His wound was
acerated punciure in the left shoulder from board
ingplke, but il appeared TO be healing kindly and
we thought for some days he was doing we'll. How.
ever, about FIVE O'Clock in the afternoon, before we
made Jamaica, the surgeon accosed Mr. Douglas
as we were walking the deck together. 4 fear lit
tie Duncan is going TO slip through my fingers after
all, sir MOL thought he had been better ,
so he was till about noon, when a witching of the
muscles came on, which fear betokens lock.iaw;
he wavers, too, now and then, bad sign of itself
where there is fretting wound We went below,
where Notwithstanding the wnd.sa that was let
down close to where his hammock was slung, the
heat Of the small vessel was suiocating The
large coarse tallow candle in tho purser's lantern,
that hung beside his shoulder, around which the
oathsome cock-roaches Huttered like moths in a
summer evening, filled the decks with rancid SMELL
and with smoke as from torch, while It ran down
and melted like fat before FIRE. Il cast dull
sicky gleam on the pale face Of the brown-haired,
girsh-looking I'D as he lay in his hammock When
we entered, an old quartormaster was rubbing his
legs, which we're jerking about like the limbs Of a
galvanized frog, while two ofthe boys held his arms
also violently convulsed The poor little fellow
was crying and sobbing most pitiously, but made
a strong effort to compose himself and 'be a man
when he saw us. sThis is so good Of you, Mr.
Cringe you will take charge Of my lettor to my
sister know YOU will | saw Anson' 10 the ouar
termaser, 'do lift me little ill try and finish it,
II will be sore heart TO poor Sarah; she has no
mother now, nor father, and aunt is not over kind
and again he wept bitterly. 'Confound this
jumping hand. it wont keep steady, all can dol
say, Doctor, shan't die this time, shall ~ Ihope
not, my fine little fellow Il don't think shall q
shall live to be man yet, in spite of that bloody
BucGnoers pike, know shall' God help me,
the death rattle was already in his throat, and the
flame was lickerng III the socket; even as he spoke
the muscles of his neck stilened 10 such degree
that thought he was choaked but The violence of
the commissions quickly subsidized q am done for,
Doctor! he could no longer open his mouth, but
spoke through his clenched teelh--.l feel II now!-
God Almighty receive my soul, and protect my
poor sistern The arch enemy was indeed advanc-
ing to the final struggle, for he now gave a sudden
and sharp cry, and stretched out his legs and arms,
which instantly became as rigid marble, and IN his
agony he turned his face TO the side stood on, but
he was no longer sensible. SISTER he said with
di.iiculty y-'don't let them throw me overheard;
there are sharks here.'--'iand on the loe-bow'
sungout the man at the mast head The common
life sound would not have moved any of us IN the
routine Of duty, but bursting in, under such circum
stances, it made us all start, ifit had been some
hne wueqal the dying midshiPman heard It, and