LITTLE HAL

Old Ironsides at anchor lay,

In the harbor of Mahon;

A dead calm rested on the bay­

The waves to sleep had gone­

When little Hal, the captain's son,

A lad both brave and good,

In sport up shroud and rigging ran,

    And on the main-truck stood!

A shudder shot through every vein;

    All eyes were turned on high;

There stood the boy, with dizzy brain,

    Between the sea and sky.

No hold had he above, below:

    Alone he stood in air;

To that far height none dared to go­

    No aid could reach him there.

We gazed, but not a man could speak!

     With horror all aghast,

In groups, with pallid brow and cheek,

     We watched the quivering mast. .

  The atmosphere grew thick and hot,

     And of a lurid hue,

As, riveted unto the spot,

  Stood officers and crew.

The father came on deck. He gasped

      "0 God, thy will be done!"

Then suddenly a rifle grasped

   And aimed it at his son;

"Jump-far out, boy, into the wave,

   Jump, or I fire," he said;

"That only chance your life can save!

   Jump! Jump, boy!" He obeyed.

He sank-he rose--he lived-he moved,

   And for the ship struck out;

On board we haled the lad beloved

   With many a manly shout.

His father drew, in silent joy,

   Those wet arms 'round his neck,

And folded to his heart his boy­

   Then fainted on the deck.

Colton.