"That is Captain Osborn, I know," said Ready in a faint voice. "You
have come in good time, sir; I knew you would come, and I always said
so: you have the thanks of a dying man."
"I hope it is not so bad as that, Ready; we have a surgeon on board,
and I will send for him at once."
"No surgeon can help me, sir," replied Ready; "another hour of time
will not pass before I shall be in Eternity."
The old man then joined his hands across his breast, and remained for
some time in silent prayer. Then he bade them farewell in a faint
voice, which at last was changed to a mere whisper. They still
remained, in silence and in tears, standing round him, William only
kneeling and holding his hand, when the old man's head fell back, and
he was no more!
"It is all over," said Mr. Seagrave mournfully, "and he has, I have no
doubt, gone to receive the reward of a good and just man. `Happy are
those who die in the Lord.'"
Mr. Seagrave then led away his wife and children, leaving Juno and
William. William closed his eyes, and Juno went and fetched the ship's
ensign, which they laid over the body, after which they joined the rest
of the party in the house.
Pages:
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432