Page:All quiet along the Potomac and other poems.djvu/325

 OFF BARNE GAT. 319

And fell six fathoms short !

Once more

It flew ; it linked the ship to shore ! Along the rope, to strong rings tied, The life-car gained the schooner s side ; The mate made ready for his care The baby safe ashore to bear. The mother s lips moaned out, &quot; Good-bye ! You ll save her, Ben ?&quot;

A hoarse &quot;Ay! ay!&quot; Through roar of surf and deep sea-moan Came floating back to watcher lone. Too cold her hands to fold in prayer, Her eyes yet watched the canvas chair, Up rising now, now lost to sight, Till safely through the breakers white It reached the welcome waiting shore. Three ringing cheers the salt air bore, And waiting arms the salvage fair Took safely from the tall mate s care, Whilst from the ship, like faintest sigh, There echoed still &quot; Sweet by and bye.&quot;

��With dawning wild winds rougher grew ; No boat could live that white surf through. The captain bid his men at last Lash him as well against the mast, So he might hold the figure frail Better against the icy gale

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