The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-11-20

l'sCteSs NUtSV NhS lCSfhlHOeA DfttICS3 al
then with the dread Of death upon them. til
! boat became unmanaseablc in their hands
t for in spite Of the efforts Of the old coxswair
!, the men appeared panic stricken, aud rowe
, at random. 80
heIight that glared upon the shore no,
showed that it was completely strewn wit
wreck ;and looked with horror upon TIL
, yariol,s signs which so plainly disclosed tn
fate Of the good ship Spar, plank, bean
and cask, entanyled with rope, we're bein,
churhed dveri aud over in the sand
and twice saw something dragged ashore
aud carried away, which sent shudder through
my fame.
| at last, heart sick and weary, I turned
away, ana inquired where the crew of The
boat were. aud who had suffered when, t.
my sorrow, learned that the only Que seri
ously injured was old Marks, who had sc
calamity set the example that evening, al
example which had resulted ia thesaying Of
5 po.r creatures from a watery grave
On entering the village Isoon found where
the old man had been conveyed, aud in a
lew minutes after was at the Bedside Of the
sufferer. found him sensible. but with a
change in his couatenance that no amount of
pain or suffering alone could haye placed
there. He was quite CALM aud smiled IS
entered.
Has she gone to piecss?' he whispered,
stopping to wipe the biood away that oozsd
| from. his lips.
Il fear 50, replied, "the shore is strewsd
| with wreck m
Il knowed shs would" he gaspcd. Poor
things. poor things! How many did we
bring ashore 7"
told him fifteen. '5 ~
"Ah!" he gsoaped, "not enough, not
enough
''Bot it was most gallant act" I said
"and more would have been saved bus ior
the accident. Where are you hurt! 1t is
net serious bcpe:"
Serious p he whispered !; and then with
q sa1 suiie: mo, it aunt serious. I'm the
only one hurt and my tiae is up long ago
four years, and more. So it amt SERIOUS.
Where arc you hurt!" | said
"kibs all crashed" he whispered. 81
was uuder the gunw l. Of the buat; aud it's
all over, | could see it in the Doctor looks.
a sush Of blood stopped his utterance,
aud dared not whisper the comfor; could
not feel
its ali right, SIR he whispered, after
lying with HIS eyes closed tor about half an
nour-'.it's all ,isht. and an cid Tar couldn't
die better than dom his duty. l never
thought to; but always felt as should ike
to die in harness. as they say, and 50 l Shall
but wish there had been more"
Mere what" | said.
More saved lie whispered. eyer see
I've been alore no" 10 action; and the al
mighty only knows how many souls I've cut
off aud should like to feel sure as Id
saved more tAau did ior--sha. all! Per
haps they .lilht 60 III the scale to help
balance the bad "
but you did all as . part of your duty"
'-Ah!' he whispered, .'du:y ! Yes, sailors
should dotheir duty !; and felt it was mine
tonight to go. VI ecld men o -warsmen were
trained to Ell to call 10 calm or ia storm
and when lives were 1T stake 10 night, [ felt
that was called, and hope 1 did my duty |
viii you ask them fifteen to just say IA wore
or Two tor the old man in their prayers sir
uiexn when am gone? l think | should
like them to, for am all old sailor, and can
boast of iy past lie
Have you no relatives p I whispered
''no friends that you would like to see r
Far auay-iar away he said, with a
awaitln for me to join their watch. Don t
leave NE, SIR he said piseoi,sly.
! promised would not aud, sat watching
hour alter hour, listening to the hard brea-
thing Of the sufferer. who seemed to SINK Into
state Of ssupor, only moaning at intervals
DIS nc tossed his head from side to side on the |
pillow and muttered few words, broken and
half spoken. The storm gradually sunk till
the wind quise lulled, and about three O'Clock
l half drew the curtain aud looked out upon
the sea, which still tossed ieariuIly though all
above was calm aud peaceful 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 50
great change could have taken place, when
| started, for q Voice behind ne shouted, |
Morning watch Draw tbs curtain aud let |
that moon lhiue in"
| obeyed-turning cold and trembling as |
did so-stlll looking at the dying sailor, who
sat erect in the bed. Here he SAID aud.
as approached the bed, he seizyd my hand
"Hark don't you hear that It's the boat
swain piping for me to keep my everlasting
watch. Ay, ay. sir! ihere-Aark again
There IS the waves lashins upon the father
shore. Breakers ahead Breakers ahead
look out there? The ole vessel $ struck, aud |
she's going to pieces-the old seventy -four
that's weathcrsd 50 many Storm going
ashore. Farewell. messmates; one short /
struggle, cae cold plunge, and hopeful heart
Ia brave striking out through the harsh |
breakers! Land no! Land, no ON the Other
sds-and It's land of res.-a land Of peace
and hope. Now for it! The rush of the dark
waters is coming binding, desfeniug- but
bold heart, uessuate. God bless you, I'm
going ashore"
For some minutes 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 snivered as lie |
described the wreck then taking place. To
the last word, his voice had rnng out loud and |
resonant and theu he sank back motloniess
upon tbs pillow. stained low with his lie
blood aud | passed soity irolu The roola,
for kna.y that his life h,rk WAS stranded !,y |