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
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.
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