The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-05-10

not now near OQe t1y one Inc men
grew weary, ard Jim-almost over
looked aboard ship our leader now
slackeued his pace, to ease us Up lit
tie
Walter was the first one to give out
We heard him drop. the line stopped.
and we closed around him. Jim got
down on his knees beside him and
spoke. not so gru1fiy as usual:
''Ye amt tuckered vet. are We. lad?'
Hall drowsily and YEARLY came the
answer:
I'm dead beat. Jim. and sleepy.
Don't mind me; let me sleep. and III
catch on to the line again, soon"
We heard Jim mutter 10 himself:
He'll freeze, lying here" and then
movement on his part, nnd he said:
Here, Walter. lad. here's my pea
jacket. II. wrap this and my com
fo-ter round We, and yell feel more
comfortable like"
He was putting them on TO the al
ready sound asleep boy. when l laid
ray hand on his shoulder and told him
he'd freeze TO death without any pro-
lection. he rose quickly, and, in a
savage tone. said:
What's that TO We, doctor? Yer
never took any notice OF me aboard
ship, and a-getsing mighty tender o
me now"
spoke to him again. telling him be-
tween US we could keep Walter NOV
ing round, and thus keep him alive.
and that he himself needed some pro-
lection. His mates joined me ia nv
entreaty and tried to raise Walter to
his feet; but he shook their hands of
and, facing us. spoke:
Mr.. Doctor and mates. I amt no.
body, and it don't make no difference
whether die or not All of We have
mothers or sweethearts waitin for We
to come home. l amt got nobody; no
home. A vagabond. mates, be, with
nothing but the ship whose articles
sign for a home, and the sea'll be nv
grave sooner or later; SO, We see, it
don't make no difference whether
freeze ter death here or so 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
cc,OiuS tCt- al, AASNCS eSAti
Dir. Doctor. fer speaking ter me; and
il 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 by enc, they lie
down on the ice, and. crawling closer
together, a sleep, sweet but deadly,
holds them in its grasp. Jim and l are
the only ones left now, and we walk.
walk, walk round and round the pros
trate forms like deathwatch.
Its no use, jim; I've got to join the
circle"
And l step toward it. he stops me
and says:
Cant We stick i: ont, doctor?"
NO" l say, despondently; Il am too
weak and numb to keep it up. Here.
Jim, give me your hand"
''Good-by, Doctor" he says, and
moves on again, 4 lonely sentinel,
fighting death inch by inch. and by his
pluck and logged determination shak-
ing off it's icy clutch.
1t was a blank for me for know not
how long, and then | partly awoke as
Jim, tired out and exhausted. dropped
beside me. L was in dreamy state.
but | heard these words, the last he
ever spoke. He was wandering. knew.
and his voice was SO gentle and soft 1
hardly knew it was his:
Mother" he murmured several
times, and then: Our Father which
art" and ugly Jim's lips had moved
for the last time on this earth Icy
fingers closed them here, but where his
noble deed and last prayer reached,
warm, loving fingers shall bid the
dumb to speak, and his first words
shall be his thanks for the Masters
piaudit: We'll doneI'
Peace and Oblivion reign over all"
That was exactly my state: and on
awakening from my stupor, found it
hard to realize it was but dream.
Was it possible / was once more safe
aboard 4 vessel, not frozen stiff on the
desolate drift-ice. but tenderly cared
for by rough but kind hands, Yes, it
was true; for we-all that were left of
us, ave, and the poor fellows whose
awaking was of another sort-were be-
ing carefully looked after on board the
American ship Yankee Tar, whose
lookout had sighted on TIE feld-ice
black specks which, through the glass,
he had made out 20 be human beings.
A boat was put out, and all hands
taken on board. OF our crew of fifteen,
but five remained, with just a spark
Of life in their stiff bodies Walter
and / were among the survivors, and
careful administration of restoratives
had brought US round / have stamped
upon my mind, with the indelible ink
of unforgetfulpess, the morning when.
for the last time, 1 gazed on the fixed,
i1nmovable faces of my companions OF
that fatal voyage. All IN their wind
ing-sheets Of sail-cloth, shottes and
ready for the waters 20 cover them,
ranged 10 two rows along the deck. we
badc them each good-by. Last Of all
came TO Jim, not ugly" jim, now, for
upon the SCARED face peaceful smile.
tranquil and happy, and his.last words:
Mother, mother" seemed 90 play
upon the helfopeued, smiling lips
"Ali heads uncovered"
One by ore into the ocean Dcton
thcy slid TO rest, and. as poor Jim's
body lies poised upon the rail for is
final plunge, the captains voice shakes
and his eyes water, as he says:
"'Greater love hath no man than
this, that he lay down his life for his
friends Russell Gardner, 10 y. I.
Ledger.