"Got pen and ink aboard, any of ye ?" "I have a pencil," said Helen, earnestly; then, tearfully, "Oh, dear! it is to make his will." She opened her prayer-book, which had two blank leaves under each cover.
The dying man saw them, and rose into that remarkable energy which sometimes precedes the departure of the soul.
"Write!" said he in his deep, full tones.
"I, Samuel Cooper, able seaman, am going to slip my cable, and sail into the presence of my Maker." He waited till this was written.
"And so I speak the truth.
"The ship _Proserpine_ was destroyed willful.
"The men had more allowance than they signed for.
"The mate was always plying the captain with liquor.
"Two days before ever the ship leaked, the mate got the long-boat ready.
"When the _Proserpine_ sank, we was on her port quarter, aboard the cutter, was me and my messmate Tom Welch.
"We saw two auger-holes in her stern, about two inches diameter.
"Them two holes was made from within, for the splinters showed outside.
"She was a good ship, and met with no stress of weather to speak of, on that voyage.
"Joe Wylie scuttled her and destroyed her people.
"D--n his eyes!" Mr.Hazel was shocked at this finale; but he knew what sailors are, and how little meaning there is in their set phrases.

However, as a clergyman, he could not allow these to be Cooper's last words; so he said earnestly, "Yes, but, my poor fellow, you said you forgave all your enemies.

We all need forgiveness, you know." "That is true, sir." "And you forgive this Wylie, do you not ?" "Oh, Lord, yes," said Cooper, faintly.

"I forgive the lubber; d--n him!" Having said these words with some difficulty, he became lethargic, and so remained for two hours.

Indeed, he spoke but once more, and that was to Welch; though they were all about him then.