The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-06-20

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''Ribs all crushed" he whispered. 81
was under The gunwale of the boat and
it's all over. l could see.i it in tine doctors
looks"
A gush of blood stopped his uttcrancc,
and | dared not whisper the comfort ]
could not feel
"It's all right, sir" he whispered, after
laying with his eyes closed for about half
an-hour-''it's all right, and an old tar
couldn't die better than don' his duty
| never thought to; but | always felt as
| should like to die in harness, as the
say, and SO | shall; but wish there had
been more"
"More what2' / said.
"More saved" lie whispered. eyer
See Eve been aforc now in action; and
the Almighty only knows how many souls
Eve cut off; and | should like to feel
sure as Id saved more than | did for
that's all. Perhaps they might 60 in
the scale, to help balance the bad"
''But you did all as part of your
duty"
"Ah!" he whispered, "duty Yes.
sailors should do their duty; and felt it
was mine, tonight, to 20. We old men
o'-war's men were trained to answer TO a
call III calm Or storm and when lives
were at stake tonight, | felt that / was
called, and hope | did my duty. viii
you ask them fifteen to just say word or
two for the old man in their prayers, sir
| mean when I'm gone | think
should like them TO, for lrn an old sailor,
and cant boast Of my past life"
'llave you no relatives ?" whispered :;
"no friends that you would like to see E.
Far away-far away" lie said with
mourntul shake of the head "and some
are a-watin for me to join their watch.
Don't leave me, sir" lie said piteously.
lpromised | would not and sat watch
ing hour after hour listening to the hard
breathing Of the sufferer, who seemed TO
sink INTO state of stupor, only moaning
at intervals as he tossed his head from side
to side of the pillow, and muttercd lew
words broken and half spoken. The storm
gradually sunk, till the wind quite lulled ;
and about three o'clock | half drew the
curtain and looked out upon the sea,
which still tossed tca"tully; though all
above was calm and peaceful-a light
cloud just drifting slowly past the pale
bright moon.
stood gazing at the soft blue sky, now
so placid and serene almost wondering
that so great a change could have taken
place, when | started. for voice behind
me shouted: Morning watch. Draw the
curtain, and let that moon shine in"
| obcyed-turning cold and trembling as
| did so-stilI looking at the lying sailor,
who sat erect in bed. 8 Here" he said:
and as approached the bed he seized my
hand. clark don't you hear that it's
the 10 tswaln piping for me to keep
my everlasting watch. Ay. ay, sir
Ihere-hark again There's the waves
a-lashing upon the further shore. -
breakers ahead breakers ahead. look
out there, The old vessels struck, and
she's going to pieccs-the old seventy.
four, that's weathercd so many storm
going ashore. Farewell, mcssmatc one
short struggle, one cold plungr, and .
hopeful heart-a brave striking out
through the harsh breakers. Land, no.
land, no, on the other sidc-and it's Il
land of rcst-a land Of peace and hope
Now for it Tie rush of the dark wa,,r.
is Observation-Disclosures a
bold heart, mcssmute. God bless YOU
I'm going ashore
For some mlnutcs,I sat motionless The
old mans eye had lighted up as he gazed
straight before him, out upon the moonlit
heavens HIS voice seemed to peal through
the silence Of the night, till ,hivcred a,
hc described the wreck then taking place
To the last word, his voice had rum aut
loud and resonant; then he sank back
moiionleS' upon the pillow--staincd now
with his liie-blood and | passed sottl,
from the room, for knew that his lite
bark was stranded 10y the sea of Death
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