Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-07-27

ship's hoy, and now, as we CONNER ed
onr dreary rounds. lac had him close pc
ind. Oh. how cold and desolate il
was, going ropna and round and rot nd
% that contracted space. moving H.. a
hahn gang, with one hand on he
shoulder of the man in front. so a. rot
to lose one another;. for, small as tat
pace was the night was Llack nd
and the edge of the foe was we knew
not how near One by one the nen
grew weary, aud Jim-almost oy err
looked aboard ship, our leader now
slaclzened his pace, to ease rs up it.
! lie.
Walter was the first one TO give out.
We heard him drop. the line stop d.
and we closed around him. Jim rot
down on his knees beside him and
spoke. not so gruffiy as usual:
We amt tuckered yet are ye, lad?"
Half drowsily and YEARLY came he
answer;
Pm dead beat, Jim. and slee ~.
Don't mind me; let me sleep, and I'll
catch on to the line again, soon.
We heard Jim nutter to himself;
Hell freeze, lying here" and then
movement on his part, and he sa i'd:
Here, Walter, lad, here's my pea
jacket; I'll wrap this and my com
forter round ye, and yen feel more
comfortabl like"
He was putting them on to the al
ready sound asleep boy. when / aid
my hand on his shoulder and told i'm
he'd freeze 10 death without any pro-
lection. He rose quickly, and, ia
savage tone, said:
whats that TO We, doctor? Yer
never took any notice Of me aboard
ship. and a-getting mighty tender O.
me now.
spoke to him again, telling him Re
tween us we could keep Walter nov
ing round, and thus keep him i've.
and that he himself needed some o,o-
lection. His mates joined me in my
entreaty and tried to raise Walter to
his feet; but he shook their hands off
and, facing ms, spoke:
mir. Doctor and mates, | amt no.
body, and il don't make no difference
mothers or sweethearts waitin' for We
TO come home. amt got nobody; no
home. A vagabond. mates. he, with
nothing but the ship whose articles /
sign for home, and the sea'il be my
grave sooner or later; so, We sec, il
don't make no difference whether /
freeze ter death here or go to the bot
tom across the line. Walters got a
mother, lads, as is waitin' ter see him
soon; and if Jim can help her do it, he's
a-going ter. | thank We all, mates a nd
Mr.. Doctor, fer speaking ter me; aud
If ugly Jim freezes ter death, don't
think too hard of him"
Again the line moves on, but the men
are getting disheartened and overcome,
and gradually. one 10y one, they ie
down on the ice. and, crawling closer
together, a sleep, sweet but dead y,
holds them in its grasp Jim and are
the only ones left now, and we wa k.
walk. walk ronnc and round the pros
trate forms like deathwatch.
ITS no use, Jim; I've got to Join the
circle"
And step toward it He stops lae
and says:
Cant We stick it out DOCTOR"
NO" say, despondently; Il am 100
weak and numb TO keep it up. Here,
Jim, give me your hand"
"Good-by, DOCTOR he says, aud
moves on again, lonely sentinel.
lighting death inch by inch. and by Ids
pluck and dogged determination shak-
ng off its icy clutch.
1t was a blank for me for know not
now long. and then partly awoke as
lin, tired out pnd exhausted. dropn I'd
beside me. ! was IN a dreamy state.
Dut | heard these words, the last he
.ver spoke He was wandering. knew.
md his voice was so gentle and soft
hardly knew it was his:
Mother he mnrmnred several
lines, and then: "Our Father which
,rt-," and ugly Jim's lips had moved
or the last time on this earth. ley
myers closed them here. bnt where Lis
ioble deed and last prayer reached.
warm, loving fingers shall bid the
umb TO speak, and his first words
hall be his thanks for the Masters
'laudit: "Well donel'
Peace and oblivion reign over all"
hat was exactly my state; and ON
Weakening from my stupor, | found il
ard to realize il was but dream.
Vas it possible | was once more safe
board a vessel. not frozen stiff on tie
isolate drift-ice. but tenderiy cared
or by rough hnt kind hands2 Yes, il
vas true; for we-all that were left IF
:, aye, and the poor fellows whose
waking was of another sort-were be-
AZ carefully looked after on board tie
.merican ship Yankee Tar whose
Dokout had sighted on the feld-ice
lack specks which, through the glass,
e had made out TO be human beings
boat was put out and a, hands
AIKEN on board. OF our crew 81 fifteen,
ut five remained. with just a spark
{ life in their stiff bodies Walter
nd were among the survivors ard
arefnl administration Of restoratives
al brought MS round have stamped
pom my mind. with the indelible ink
r a. -.