James Fenimore Cooper Homeward Bound [txt]

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with the fact, steward: he desired to be sent for at any crisis."
He then quitted the cabin, leaving the rest of the party wondering that
they could have been already so lost to the situation of one of their late
companions, however different from themselves he might be in opinions and
character. But in this they merely showed their common connexion with all
the rest of the great family of man, who uniformly forget sorrows that do
not press too hard on self, in the reaction of their feelings.
Chapter XXX.
Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
ISAIAH.
The principal hurt of Mr. Monday was one of those wounds that usually
produce death within eight-and-forty hours. He had borne the pain with
resolution; and, as yet, had discovered no consciousness of the imminent
danger that was so apparent to all around him. But a film had suddenly
past from before his senses; and, a man of mere habits, prejudices, and
animal enjoyments, he had awakened at the very termination of his brief
existence to something like a consciousness of his true position in the
moral world, as well as of his real physical condition. Under the first
impulse of such an alarm, John Effingham had been sent for; and he, as has
been seen, ordered Captain Truck to be summoned. In consequence of the
previous understanding these two gentlemen and Mr. Leach appeared at the
state-room door at the same instant. The apartment being small it was
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arranged between them that the former should enter first, having been
expressly sent for; and that the others should be introduced at the
pleasure of the wounded man.
"I have brought my Bible, Mr. Leach," said the captain when he and the
mate were left alone, "for a chapter is the very least we can give a
cabin-passenger, though I am a little at a loss to know what particular
passage will be the most suitable for the occasion. Something from the
book of Kings would be likely to suit Mr. Monday, as he is a
thorough-going king's man."
"It is so long since I read that particular book, sir," returned the mate,
diligently thumbing his watch-key, "that I should be diffident about
expressing an opinion. I think, however, a little Bible might do
him good."
"It is not an easy matter to hit a conscience exactly between wind and
water. I once thought of producing an impression on the ship's company by
reading the account of Jonah and the whale as a subject likely to attract
their attention, and to show them the hazards we seamen run; but, in the
end, I discovered that the narration struck them all aback as a thing not
likely to be true. Jack can stand any thing but a fish story, you
know, Leach."
"It is always better to keep clear of miracles at sea, I believe, sir,
when the people are to be spoken to: I saw some of the men this evening
wince about that ship of St. Paul's carrying out anchors in a gale."
"The graceless rascals ought to be thankful they are not at this very
moment trotting through the great desert lashed to dromedaries' tails! Had
I known that, Leach, I would have read the verse twice! But Mr. Monday is
altogether a different man, and will listen to reason. There is the story
of Absalom, which is quite interesting; and perhaps the account of the
battle might be suitable for one who dies in consequence of a battle; but,
on the whole, I remember my worthy old father used to say that a sinner
ought to be well shaken up at such a moment."
"I fancy, sir, Mr. Monday has been a reasonably steady man as the world
goes. Seeing that he is a passenger, I should try and ease him off
handsomely, and without any of these Methodist surges."
"You may be right, Leach, you may be right; do as foil would be done by is
the golden rule after all. But, here comes Mr. John Effingham; so I fancy
we may enter."
The captain was not mistaken, for Mr. Monday had just taken a
restorative, and had expressed a desire to see the two officers. The
state-room was a small, neat, and even beautifully finished apartment,
about seven feet square. It had originally been fitted with two berths;
but, previously to taking possession of the place, John Effingham had
caused the carpenter to remove the upper, and Mr. Monday now lay in what
had been the lower bed. This situation placed him below his attendant, and
in a position where he might be the more easily assisted. A shaded lamp
lighted the room, by means of which the captain caught the anxious
expression of the dying man's eye, as he took a seat himself.
"I am grieved to see you in this state, Mr. Monday." said the master, "and
this all the more since it has happened in consequence of your bravery in
fighting to regain my ship. By rights this accident ought to have befallen
one of the Montauk's people, or Mr. Leach, here, or even myself, before it
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befel you."
Mr. Monday looked at the speaker as if the intended consolation had failed [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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