Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-30

under the gunwale of the boat ; and it's all
over. l could see it in the doctors looks"
gush of blood stopped his utterance, and
l dared not whisper the comfort / could not
feel.
g It's all right, sir" he whispered, after ly-
ing with his eyes closed for about half an hour
-" it all right, and an old tar could MT die
better than doin' his duty. | never thought
10 /; bu | always felt as should like TO die in
harness, they say, aod so | shall but | wish
there had been more"
More what p | said
More ved,'' ne whispered. d" Yer see I've
been afore now in action and the Almighty
only krows how many souls I've cut off and |
should like 10 feel sure as I'd saved more than
| | did foI-thal's all. Perhaps they might go
| IN he scale to help balance the bad.''
But you did all part of your duty."
"A All y he whispered, duty Yes. sailors
| should do their duty; and felt it was mine,
tonight, to go. We old men-o'war's men
we're trained to 10 call in calm or
! storm and when lives ct stake tonight.
| felt that WAS called, and | hope | did my
duty. Viii you ask them fifteen to just say a
word or two for the old man in their prayers,
sir; | mean when I'm gone? ? think l should
| like them To, for Pm old sailor, ana can't
boast of my past life"
/
| friends that you would like TO see p
"Far away-f away he said with q mourn
ful shake of the head " and some are await
/ in for me TO join their watch. Don't leave
me, sir" he SAID preously.
| promised | would not and sat watching
hour after hour listening 10 the hard breathing
of the sufferer, who seemed 10 sink INTO state
OF stupor,only n.oanng at interv is az he tossed
| bis head from side to side of The pillow, and
muttered a few words broken and haltspoken
Tne storm gradually sunk, till the wind quite
| lulled and about three clock / half drew
the curtain and Iook ked out upon tie $ q, wnict
still tossed fearfuy though all above was
calm and peaceful-4 light cloud just drifting
slowly pas! the pale bright moon.
stood gazing at the soft blue sky, nov Sc
placid and serene, almost wondering that s.
great change could have taken place, when
started, for a voice behind one shouted" d" Morn
i"g wa ch Draw the curtain, and let that
moon shine in"
beyed-turnng cold, and trembling as
did so-stiIl looking at the dying sailor, vino
sat erect in the bed. - Here" be said and
as | approached the bed, he seized my hand
e" Hark ! don't you hear that ? LIS The boat
swain piping for me 10 keep my everlasting
watch Ay, ay, sir. Tnere-hark again
There's the waves a-lashin upon the further
shore Look out there. breakers ahead
Breakers ahead The Old vessel 5 struck, anc
she s going 10 peces-the old seventy four
that's weathered 50 many storm, going ashore
Farewell, messmste ; one short struggle, one
coli plunge, and hopeful heart-a brave
striking out through the hatsh breakers. Land
ho land ho on the other sde-and It's d
land OF rest-a land Of Ieace aud hope. Now
! tor it. The rush of the dark waters com H.
Misunderstanding d bold usart,mess-
mate. God bless you I'm going ashore"
For some minutes | sat motionless. The
old mans eye had lighted up he glzed
straight before him upon The moonlt heavens.
His Voice seemed TO pei through the silence
oi the night, Till shvered he described the
wreck then taking place. 10 The last word,
Ms voice had rung out loud and reeonant; then
tie sank back mouoness upon lh- piliO =,
stain, now with his lte-blood aud | passed
softly from The room, for | knew that his life
bark stranded by the OF Death.