Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-07-22

Io wered the gloomy western sky.
The restless seAbirds ceased to roam,
The lesping waves there seethed with foam:
Crowding upon each others track;
Pressing upon each others back;
And looking Ger each others head
In awful, eager, curious dread.
Loud roAred the wind, like tends let slip,
And cried, with ell its might,-"A Shipm
Far, far away: far out at sea;
Close reefed, sailed on the "Annie Lee"
The tempest freshened in its strength;
No eye could pierce a cables length,
Through the thick blsokness, which, around,
Enclosed that vessel, homewArd bound
Still on she came, drenched with salt spray,
Twas one to her, if night or day.
Each stately masthesd's tap'ring tip
Told that the wind said true-"A Shipp
III.
Within her hull--or so it seemed
Were lights, which family, dimly cleaned ::
Like Will.o'th wisps, they rose and fell
Al times was heard warning bell. ~
And there, far out, far out at sea,
At midnight, WAS the "Annie Leein
".
LAshed to q rope, amidships sire tehed,
Which tween two bulwsrk rAiltops reaoh'd,
There was . seaman, listHiRg watch;
He could not see, the night wac such
10 bows and stern were others too,
Who watched IS only sesmen DO.
One tolled the bell two others steered
One watched the compass as il veered
And whilst he watched its needles tip,
The elements still cried, "A Ship"
V.
To wind ward-some i've cables-say,
A little bArque, dismssted, lay;
Rocking and battered with each sea,
She drifting towards the Annie Lee"
Rocking aud rolling on the deep,
She lay,-with ali her Grew asleep
Fatigue had worn them out, that crew,
God help them for there we're but two
VI.
An old man and his dead sons child
Slept there upon that night so wild.
And he--thAt old mAn-too, was dead
The ships dog bowling BY his head.
The crew had taken the one boat
Which, as they thought--woud keep aflost.
Look ~ screamed the wind, "Lsts 20 and
Ion hfsless and deserted ship" rip
VII.
Perhaps it searched each cabin berth,
Perhaps il saw that little child,
u suddenly became so mild.
That wind lulled aud the angry sea
Grew calm around the "Anuie Lee"
VIII.
Aud when the silver moon shoue clear,
A silence reigned, as if in fear
Lest il should hide that tiny bsrque.
A voice rang out; What said it2 Hank =
II came from off the "Annie's' deck.
"StArboArd away A wreck A wreck :"
TX.
Then clustered ssamen TO her side,
And, one by one, the barque deserted.
The sulky sea still he&ved its breast
Like some huge monster, half at rest.
The "Annis Lee" Icy to. Indeed
OF late she'd slsckened in her speed.
They kept the wreck in eight ill morn;
Their aid, true seamen never scorn,-
"She has no crew aboard ~ id one.
Another said, "No, all are gone {"
Then one was not 90 sure; aud then
A third one said, Lets look again -
y.
He raised the glass up to his eye
And all at one gave out cry.
What is j, ?" said the first. He smiled,
And made reply, "a little child
"Ah!' said the other, "Is it so?
III call the Captain from below ~
NJ.
pom the poop, so pale and fair
Her garments Hutt'ring in the air,
That Little One, with hands Outspread,
S TODD, waving them above her head.
Sobbing and laughing; crying there:
Thai Little Thing, so psie and fair,
Her infant face convulsed with dread;
W Aving her little hands o'srheAd;
Her little voice so sadly said
" Help me, please Grand papa is dead r.
XII.
They heard her not but, o er the tide,
Urged their swift piunsce to her side
And then, as TO the wreck they nesred,
With one accord those brave men cheesed !
XIII.
They wrapped her up in shsvls so warm
To shield her tender frame from harm.
There's only one ; bat she's a prize :"
hat third man said, with flowing eyes.
XIV.
Next night the wind again swoke,
Ind In its hoarsesT accents spoke,
he ocean rose and reared its head,
What was the fun TO night ?" it said.
The wind few briskly on its scent,
md led them whittier il was bent.
Come friends, it said, "Along with me
he's Homeward Bound. that Annie Lee
Iet's help her on, that Annie Lee ? "
XIV.
The sulky waves. with sallen voice,
Replied that such was not their choice.
And many a wave swept DER the deck
hat shielded her saved from the wreck.
iut twas their custom, when the wind
'ushed rudely on them from behind.
heir heart was good, and so you see
they did not harm thai "Annie Lee :"
or any in ths-'AnDie Lee -