图书图片
PDF
ePub

Joyfully did the little lily welcome the grateful light, and open wide her face. The tears were standing thick upon it; but the glorious sun looked down and smiled upon her. He dipped his pencil in fresh and richer dye, and touched her pallid cheek, and turned every tear into a jewel, that sparkled like the rainbow. Her tears were gone for ever!

WE ARE SEVEN.

-A simple child,

That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb-
What should it know of death?

I met a little cottage girl,

She was eight years old, she said;
Her hair was thick with many a curl,
That clustered round her head.

She had a rustic, woodland air,
And she was wildly clad;
Her eyes were fair, and very fair,
Her beauty made me glad.

"Sisters and brothers, little maid,
How many may you be?"
"How many? Seven in all," she said,
And wondering looked at me.

“And where are they? I pray you tell."
She answered, "Seven are we;
And two of us at Conway dwell,

And two are gone to sea.

"Two of us in the churchyard lie-
My sister and my brother;
And in the churchyard cottage, I
Dwell near them with my mother."
"You say that two at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea;
Yet you are seven! I pray you tell,
Sweet maid, how this may be."
Then did the little maid reply,
"Seven boys and girls are we;
Two of us in the churchyard lie,
Beneath the churchyard tree."
"You run about, my little maid,
Your limbs they are alive;
If two are in the churchyard laid,
Then ye are only five."

"Their graves are green, they may be seen," The little maid replied;

Twelve steps, or more, from mother's door,
And they are side by side.

"My stockings there I often knit,
My kerchief there I hem;
And there upon the ground I sit,
And sing a song to them.

"And often after sunset, sir,
When it is light and fair,
I take my little porringer,
And eat my supper there.

"The first that died was little Jane:
In bed she moaning lay,

Till God released her of her pain,

And then she went away.

"So in the churchyard she was laid;
And when the grass was dry,
Together round her grave we played,
My brother John and I.

"And when the ground was white with snow,
And I could run and slide,
My brother John was forced to go,
And he lies by her side.”

"How many are you, then," said I,
"If they two are in heaven!"
Quick was the little maid's reply,

66

"O, master! we are seven.'

[ocr errors]

"But they are dead; those two are dead!
Their spirits are in heaven!"
'Twas throwing words away, for still
The little maid would have her will,
And said, "Nay, we are seven.'

W. Wordsworth.

THE SHIPWRECK OF THE ALCESTE.

The Alceste, commanded by Captain Maxwell, having taken Lord Amherst on board after his unsuccessful embassy to China, proceeded to Manilla, and thence homewards; but in passing through the Straits of Gaspar, on the 13th of February, 1817, she struck on a sunken rock, from which it was impossible to remove her. The boats were at once hoisted out, and Lieutenant Hoppner, with the barge and cutter, ordered to proceed with the ambassador and suite to the nearest part of the island of Pulo Leat, which seemed about three miles and a half distant. Meanwhile, every

exertion was made to secure what provisions could be got, which were conveyed to the shore.

A raft was also constructed, on which were placed the heavier stores, with some baggage, and conveyed to the island. All the crew were saved, and got safely to land. The spot where the shipwrecked mariners landed was romantic, but it seemed at the same time wild and desolate. Few of the ship's crew had more than a shirt and a pair of trousers. Books were strewn about in all directions, whilst parliamentary robes, court dresses, and mandarin habits, with checked shirts and tarry jackets, were hung around in wild confusion on every tree.

On Lord Amherst learning that no fresh water had been obtained from the ship, he desired that every person might be called around him, and ordered that

gill of that water which had been sent on shore the Lay before, with half that quantity of rum, should be served out equally to every man, without distinction of rank, taking his own share with perfect good humour.

When Captain Maxwell, who was the last person who left the ship, got on shore, it was settled that Lord Amherst, with about forty of his suite, should go in the barge and cutter to Batavia, as the most probable way of ensuring their own safety and that of their companions on this desolate island, by sending a ship from there to carry them away. After partaking of a very slender meal, his lordship, with his suite, amounting in all to forty-seven persons, waded out to the edge of the reef, and embarked in the boat and cutter, which were commanded by Lieutenant Hoppner. They only took provisions for five days' limited allowance, and left the remainder with the party on the island, who were in number two hundred men and boys, and one woman.

A new encampment was formed at the top of the hill, and a well dug to the depth of twenty feet for water, of which it afforded but a small supply. Part of the crew were stationed on the wrecked ship, to endeavour to gain any addition they could to their stock of provisions and arms. On the 24th, the part of the crew at the ship found themselves surrounded by a number of Malays in boats, apparently well armed. Without a single sword or musket for defence, the crew had just time to throw themselves in the boat alongside, and push for the shore, closely pursued by the pirates, who, finding two other boats push to their assistance, returned to the ship and took possession of her. Soon afterwards, it was reported that the savages, armed with spears, were landing.

Under all the depressing circumstances attending shipwreck hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and threatened by a ruthless foe-it was glorious to see the British spirit still undaunted. The order was given for every man to arm himself in the best way he could, and it was obeyed with the utmost promptitude and alacrity. Rude pike-staves were formed by cutting down young trees; small swords, dirks, knives, chisels, and even large spike nails sharpened, were firmly fixed to the ends of these poles; and those who could find nothing better, hardened the end of the wood in the fire, and bringing it to a sharp point, formed a tolerable weapon. Even the little boys had managed to make fast a tablefork, or something of that kind, on the end of a stick for their defence. One of the men, who had been severely bruised by the falling of the masts, and was slung in his hammock between two trees, had been observed carefully fixing the blade of an old razor on a stick with a piece of rope yarn. On being asked what

« 上一页继续 »