The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-06-03

rough, surly way, said: s'As how I've
made an observation of these here
parts. and calculate there is room
enough to move round in, provided you
feiiers have brains enough to do II. i"
We accordingly acted on his sugges-
ton, and Jim at our head as pilot, we
commenced to walk around in circle,
thrashing our hands and sndeavoring
to force the blood into greater activity
through our stiffening bodies. Almost
from the minute we landed on the ice
Jim had an eye always on Walter, the
ships hoy, and now, as we commenced
our dreary rounds, he had him close be-
hind. Oh. how cold and desolate it
was, going round and round and round
In that contracted space, moving like a
chain gang, with one hand on the
shoulder of the man in front, SO as not
to lose one another; for, small as that
space was, the night was black and
and the edge of the foe was we knew
not how near One by one tho men
grew weary, and Jim-almost over.
| looked aboard ship, our leader now
slackened 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 gruffiy as usual:
"Ye amt tuckered yet, are We. lad?'
Half drowsily and YEARLY came the
answer:
I'm dead beat. Jim, and sleepy.
Don't mind me; let me sleep, and I'll
catch on to the line again, soon"
We heard Jim mutter to himself:
Hell freeze, lying here" and then
movement on his part, and he said:
Here, Walter. lad, here's my pea.
jacket; I'll wrap this and my com
forter round We, and yen feel more
comfortable like"
He was putt ing them on to the al |
ready sound asleep boy. when 1 laid !
my hand on his shoulder and told him |
he'd freeze to death without any pro-
tcction. He rose quickly, and, in q |
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 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 in my
entreaty and tried to raise Walter tc
his feet; but he shook their hands of
and, facing us, spoke:
''Mr. Doctor and mates, / amt no.
body. and it don't make no difference
whether I die or not. All of We have
mothers or sweethearts waitin' for We
to come home. 1 amt got nobody; no
home. vagabond, mates, be, with
nothing but the ship whose articles
sign for home, and the sea'll be nv
grave sooner or later; SO, ye see, it
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 and
Mr.. Doctor, fer speaking ter me; and
t ugly Jim freezes ter death, don't
,hink too hard of him."
Again the line moves on, but the men
ire getting disheartened and overcome.
md gradually. one by one. they lie
Town on the ice, and, crawling closer
a sleep, sweet but deadly,
lolds them in its grasp. Jim and are !
he only ones left now, and we walk, I
walk, walk round and round the pros 6
rate forms like deathwatch.
Its no use, Jim; I've got to join the
ircle."
And step toward it. He stops me
nd says: a
Cant We stick 1t out, doctor?" c
''No," / say, despondently; II am too
'eak and numb to keep it up. Here, d
inn. give me your hand" lie
'Good-by, DOCTOR" he says, and e
loves on again, a lonely sentinel,
ghting death inch by inch, and by his s.
luck and logged determination shak- p
Ig off its icy clutch. a
1t was blank for me for know not
DIV long. and then partly awokc as \
IN, tired out and exhausted, dropped 4
'side me. | was in dreamy state, a
1T l heard these words, the last he Il
'er spoke. He was wandering. knew, Il
Id his voice was SO gentle and soft I @
Irdly knew it was his:
"Mother!" he murmured several r
mes, and then: "Our Father which
t." and ugly Jim's lips had moved p
r the last time on this earth. lev
lgers closed them here, but where his
bile deed and last prayer reached,
arm, loving fingers shall bid the l.;
NIB to speak, and his first words =,
all be his thanks for the Masters =,
audit: swell done!' ~ ~
Peace and oblivion reign over all" a.
lat was exactly my state; and on
'akening from my stupor. found it ed
I'd to realize it was but dream. w
as it possible I was once more safe if
oard vessel, not frozen stiff on the r.,
'olate drift-ice, but tenderly cared af
by rough but kind hands? Yes, it No
S true; for we-all that were left OF IN
aye, and the poor fellows whose
aking was of another sort--were be- ar
carefully looked after on board the 4.
lerican ship Yankee Tar, whose co,
kout had sighted on the field-ice -,
ok specks which, through the glass, az
had made out to be human beings. ~
boat was put out, and all hands e.,
zen on board. Of our crew of fifteen. III,
five remained, with Just a spark
life In their stiff bodies. Walter
were among the survivors, and