Middletown transcript., 1870-11-26

we had sailed, when, having occasion to
pass through the second cabin, my atten-
ton was attracted by feeble voice issuing
from one of the berths and asking for
water, and on pushing aside the curtain
and looking in, recognized, in the worn,
wasted form, my fine, healthy lass. OF
course | procured some water, gave her
a little to allay her thirst, bathed her fore
head with the rest, and remained with her
until she fell asleep. | visited her early
on the following morning, and realized
that her days were numbered, resolved to
remain with her for the short time left
Poor thing she was far from home,
friendless, unheeded, neglected, without
one of her own kith or kin to cheer or
soothe her in her last moments, without
one to hold light at the entrance # the
dark valley where her feet were soon to
tread, and she was very thankful for what
|, stranger could do for her. remain
ed with her just two days, when she died ;
and died, too, without one word in regard
to herself We only knew her name to
be Miss Cameron.
At noon the following day we were all
sommoned upon deck to witness that most
solemn sight, burial at sea. A dead
calm prevailed; not cloud obstructed the
scorching rays of the monday sun; not
even tiny wave. .enlivened the bosom of
the stolid deep. The bat, blinded by the
glare, clung tenaciously to the mast the
dolphin settled on the stern of the ship !;
the great Clyde dropped her sails and
stood still, while the beautiful nautilus
hoisted its gossamer canvass and foated
gracefully by like the chariot of fairy
queen. The dead body, wrapped in its
course shroud, and bound with cordage,
lay stiff and ghastly upon a long plank
which was supported on the side of the
vessel Every passenger was on deck,
but not a murmur broke the solemn ST.
lenee as the minister read the burial SER
vice in low, impressive voice, and for a
few moments after the "Amen had been
uttered the stiffness was oppressive. Then
hand was stretched FORTH and the body
slipped off its rough bier and sank with
plunge into its watery grave forever.
At the same moment the nautilus fold
ed its sails and sauk from view, and the
dolphin rolled away in alright; but in a
few minutes all was again as it had been
the nautilus roappeared, the dolphin
came back, the disturbed waters grew
calm, the fecks of foam melted away !;
while the dead girl went down, down,
down, shaking and quivering and following
her trembling shadow.
Towards evening slight breeze sprang
up, and with feeling of relief we quietly
moved away from the place of burial and
just two weeks from that sunny afternoon
we sailed into port; that is, as near into
port as an emigrant ship is usually allow
ed to sail. All ON board was hustle and
confusion, preparatory to leaving Every
passenger was busy at something or anoth-
er, while stood listlessly leaning against
the side of the ship, intent on watching
the movements of a great dragon-hy that
basRed in the sunlight as it lit on pieces
of orange peel, rotten apples, melon rinds
and the various other refuse matter that
ioated in abundance upon the water
had become so very much interested
that never noticed the little boat that
had come from the shore, until it settled
under the side of our ship, and a stal-
wart, atheletc young man, with hand
some face adorned with Scothch cap,
stood up, and catching hold of the rope
ladder, hastily scaled it and leaped on
board. He evidently had come in search
of some friends or friend, for no sooner
did his feet touch the deck than he looked
around and anxiously scanned the faces
of the visible passengers, then strobe
briskly to where the captain stood, and
made some eager inquiries.
That he was sadly disappointed | could
plainly see, although ! heard none of the
conversation. The bright light died out
of his eyes, the expectant look from his
face, and drawing his cap down over his
forehead, as if to hide the agonized ex
preston that had crept into his face as
much as possible, he sprang over the
ships edge and rapidly descended the lad
der; but instead of dropping into his skiff
as I had expected to see him do, he, eth
er from intent or accident, sank beneath
the water; the small space lying between
his boat and the ship opening to receive
him, and then quietly closing above him
without sign of cry for assistance, or a
groan of anguish having escaped from his
paled lips.
1t was only for moment that l stood
pctrifed; but before l could recover from
the shock and give an alarm, my brother
Dave, who fortunately had witnessed his
descent, had decended the ladder and was
sitting in the skiff, watching with his keen
hunters eye for the coming up of the
young man. For q time we feared that
he had drifted beneath the vessel and
would never more rise; but he shortly
came to the surface about twenty feet dis
tant, and before he had time to sink the
second time, an act which he evidently
intended to accomplish, as he made no en-
deavor whatever toward self preservation,
Dave was by his side, and in a manner
rougher than it was gentle, caught him
by the shoulders, and by dint of great
strength succeeded in dragging him into
| Al looA .o,l:tsa., $3.50. lool H.