Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-08-06

The men all looked at each other, as
much as TO say What on earths q
comm now p But aboard ship, o. course
when you're told to do thing, you've got to
do it so the rope was rove in jiffy.
a. Now my lad, says the mate, in a
hard, square sort Of voice, that made every
word seem like fitting stone into wall,
you see that ere rope ? Well, I'll give
you ten minutes to confess the took out
his watch and held il 10 his hand y and
if you don't tell the truth afore times up,
I'll hang you like dog
The crew all stared at one another, as
If they couldn't believe their ears Il didu't
believe mine, can tell ye,) and then low
growl ran among EN-, like a wild beast
awakin' out Of a nap.
"' Silence there !! shouts the mate, in
voice like the roar Of nor easter. Stand
by to run for'ard = and with his own hands
he put the moose round the boys neck. The
little feller never Ainched bit, but there
were some among the sailors, (big, strong
chaps as could ha' felled ok as shook
like leaves in the wind. As for me, | be.
thought myself O. my little curly headed
lad at home, and how it 'ud be if any one
was to 90 for to hang him and at the very
thought ont | tinged all over, aud my fin.
gers clenched themselves as if they was
grippin somebody's throat. | clutched
hold o. a hand spike, aud hold il behind my
back all ready.
:" Tom,' whispers the chief-engineer to
me, dye thiuk be really means to do it?'
" don't know, says through my
teeth but if be does, he shall 90 first,
if swing for it,
live been in many an ugly scrapc in
my life time ; but never felt 'arf as bad
as | did then. Every minute seemed as long
as a dozen; aud the tick O. the mates watch
reg'lar pricked my ears like a pin. The
men were very quiet but there was pre-
cious ugly look on some O. their faces and
| noticed that three or four on em KEEP
edgin' for'ard to where the mate was stand
in, in way that meant mischief As for
me, I'D made up my mind that if he did
go for to hang the poor little chap, I'd kill
him on the spot, and take my chance.
go Eight minutes = says the mate, his
great deep voice breakin' upon the silence
like the toll O funeral bell. If you've
got anything to confess my lad, you'd best
out with it, for yer times nearly up.
:" I've told you the truth, answered the
boy, very pale but as firm as ever. May
| say my prayers, please p
The mate nodded and down goes the
poor little chap on his knees with that in
fernal rope about his neck all the time,
and puts up his poor little hands to pray.
| couldn't make out what he said fact, my
head was in sich a whrl, that I'd hardly
ha' knowed my own name,) but I'll be
bound God heard it, every word Then he
ups on his feet again, and puts his hands be-
bind him, and says to the mate quite quiet
ly; I'm ready
"And then, sir, the mates hard, grim
face broke up all at once, like I've seed
ice in the Baltic. He snatched up the boy
in his arms, and kissed him, and bust out
cryin' like child; and think there warn't
one of us as didn't do the same. know
| did, for one.
so God bless you, my boyH says he,
smoothin' the child's hair with his great
hard hand. You're true Euglshman,
every inch of you you wouldn't tell lie
to save your life Well, if it be as yer
fathers cast ye of, I'll be your father from
this day forth; aud if ever forget you,
then may God forget me!
"And he KEEP his word too. When he
got to Halifax, he found out bis little un's
aunt, and Civ hera lump Of money to make
him comfortable; and now he goes to see
the youngster every voyage, reg'lar as can
be, and to see the pair on 'em together
the little chap so fond O. him, and
not bearing him bit o grudge-
it's bout as pretty a sight as ever | seed.
And now, sir, akin yer parding, it's time
for me to be goin' below; so I'll just wish
yer good night"