第79章

Reflections - The wounded man - The squall - True consolation -Death.

THERE is a power of endurance in human beings, both in their bodies and in their minds, which, I have often thought, seems to be wonderfully adapted and exactly proportioned to the circumstances in which individuals may happen to be placed, - a power which, in most cases, is sufficient to carry a man through and over every obstacle that may happen to be thrown in his path through life, no matter how high or how steep the mountain may be, but which often forsakes him the moment the summit is gained, the point of difficulty passed; and leaves him prostrated, with energies gone, nerves unstrung, and a feeling of incapacity pervading the entire frame that renders the most trifling effort almost impossible.

During the greater part of that day I had been subjected to severe mental and much physical excitement, which had almost crushed me down by the time I was relieved from duty in the course of the evening.But when the expedition, whose failure has just been narrated, was planned, my anxieties and energies had been so powerfully aroused that I went through the protracted scenes of that terrible night without a feeling of the slightest fatigue.My mind and body were alike active and full of energy.No sooner was the last thrilling fear of danger past, however, than my faculties were utterly relaxed; and, when I felt the cool breezes of the Pacific playing around my fevered brow, and heard the free waves rippling at the schooner's prow, as we left the hated island behind us, my senses forsook me and I fell in a swoon upon the deck.

From this state I was quickly aroused by Bill, who shook me by the arm, saying, -"Hallo! Ralph, boy, rouse up, lad, we're safe now.Poor thing, Ibelieve he's fainted." And raising me in his arms he laid me on the folds of the gaff-top-sail, which lay upon the deck near the tiller."Here, take a drop o' this, it'll do you good, my boy," he added, in a voice of tenderness which I had never heard him use before, while he held a brandy-flask to my lips.

I raised my eyes gratefully, as I swallowed a mouthful; next moment my head sank heavily upon my arm and I fell fast asleep.I slept long, for when I awoke the sun was a good way above the horizon.Idid not move on first opening my eyes, as I felt a delightful sensation of rest pervading me, and my eyes were riveted on and charmed with the gorgeous splendour of the mighty ocean, that burst upon my sight.It was a dead calm; the sea seemed a sheet of undulating crystal, tipped and streaked with the saffron hues of sunrise, which had not yet merged into the glowing heat of noon;and there was a deep calm in the blue dome above, that was not broken even by the usual flutter of the sea-fowl.How long I would have lain in contemplation of this peaceful scene I know not, but my mind was recalled suddenly and painfully to the past and the present by the sight of Bill, who was seated on the deck at my feet with his head reclining, as if in sleep, on his right arm, which rested on the tiller.As he seemed to rest peacefully I did not mean to disturb him, but the slight noise I made in raising myself on my elbow caused him to start and look round.

"Well, Ralph, awake at last, my boy; you have slept long and soundly," he said, turning towards me.

On beholding his countenance I sprang up in anxiety.He was deadly pale, and his hair, which hung in dishevelled locks over his face, was clotted with blood.Blood also stained his hollow cheeks and covered the front of his shirt, which, with the greater part of dress, was torn and soiled with mud.

"Oh, Bill!" said I, with deep anxiety, "what is the matter with you? You are ill.You must have been wounded.""Even so, lad," said Bill in a deep soft voice, while he extended his huge frame on the couch from which I had just risen."I've got an ugly wound, I fear, and I've been waiting for you to waken, to ask you to get me a drop o' brandy and a mouthful o' bread from the cabin lockers.You seemed to sleep so sweetly, Ralph, that Ididn't like to disturb you.But I don't feel up to much just now."I did not wait till he had done talking, but ran below immediately, and returned in a few seconds with a bottle of brandy and some broken biscuit.He seemed much refreshed after eating a few morsels and drinking a long draught of water mingled with a little of the spirits.Immediately afterwards he fell asleep, and Iwatched him anxiously until he awoke, being desirous of knowing the nature and extent of his wound.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, on awaking suddenly, after a slumber of an hour, "I'm the better of that nap, Ralph; I feel twice the man Iwas;" and he attempted to rise, but sank back again immediately with a deep groan.

"Nay, Bill you must not move, but lie still while I look at your wound.I'll make a comfortable bed for you here on deck, and get you some breakfast.After that you shall tell me how you got it.

Cheer up, Bill," I added, seeing that he turned his head away;"you'll be all right in a little, and I'll be a capital nurse to you though I'm no doctor."I then left him, and lighted a fire in the caboose.While it was kindling, I went to the steward's pantry and procured the materials for a good breakfast, with which, in little more than half an hour, I returned to my companion.He seemed much better, and smiled kindly on me as I set before him a cup of coffee and a tray with several eggs and some bread on it.

"Now then, Bill," said I, cheerfully, sitting down beside him on the deck, "let's fall to.I'm very hungry myself, I can tell you;but - I forgot - your wound," I added, rising; "let me look at it."I found that the wound was caused by a pistol shot in the chest.

It did not bleed much, and, as it was on the right side, I was in hopes that it might not be very serious.But Bill shook his head.