Home › Contents › Caleb Charles Colton
Caleb Charles Colton
m George Nidiver.
EN have done brave deeds, And bards have sung them well; I of good George Nidiver Now a tale will tell.
In California mountains A hunter bold was he:
Keen his eye and sure his aim As any you should see.
A little Indian boy Followed him everywhere, Eager to share the hunter's joy, The hunter's meal to share.
And when the bird or deer Fell by the hunter's skill, The boy was always near To help with right good-will.
One day as through the cleft Between two mountains steep, Shut in both right and left, Their questioning way to keep, They see two grizzly bears, With hunger fierce and fell, Rush at them unawares Right down the narrow dell.
The boy turned round with screams, And ran with terror wild :
One of the pair of savage beasts Pursued the shrieking child.
The hunter raised his gun- He knew one charge was all- And through the boy's pursuing foe He sent his only ball.
The topsail-yard point to the wind, boys See all clear to reef each course; Let the foresheet go-don't mind, boys, Though the weather should be worse.
The other on George Nidiver Came on with dreadful pace:
The hunter stood unarmed, And met him face to face.
I say unarmed he stood :
Against those frightful paws The rifle butt, or club of wood, Could stand no more than straws.
George Nidiver stood still, And looked him in the face :
The wild beast stopped amazed, Then came with slackening pace.
Still firm the hunter stood, Although his heart beat high:
Again the creature stopped, And gazed with wondering eye.
The hunter met his gaze, Nor yet an inch gave way; The bear turned slowly round, And slowly moved away.
What thoughts were in his mind It would be hard to spell :
What thoughts were in George Nidiver, I rather guess than tell.
But sure that rifle's aim, Swift choice of generous part, Showed in its passing gleam The depths of a brave heart.
The Storm.
EASE, rude Boreas, blustering railer !
List, ye landsman all, to me; Messmates, hear a brother sailor Sing the dangers of the sea; From bounding billows, first in motion, When the distant whirlwinds rise, To the tempest-troubled ocean, Where the seas contend with skies.
Hark! the boatswain hoarsely bawling, By topsail-sheets and halyards stand!
Down top-gallants quick be hauling!
Down your stay-sails-hand, boys, hand!
Now it freshens, set the braces, Quick the topsail-sheets let go ; Luff, boys, luff! don't make wry faces, Up your topsails nimbly clew.
Round us roars the tempest louder, Think what fear our minds inthralls!
Harder yet it blows, still harder, Now again the boatswain calls.
Fore and aft the spritsail-yard get, Reef the mizzen, see all clear; Hand up, each preventer-brace set!
Man the foreyards, cheer, lads, cheer!
Now the dreadful thunders roaring, Peal on peal contending clash, On our heads fierce rain falls pouring, In our eyes blue lightnings flash.
One wide water all around us, All above us one black sky; Different deaths at once around us :
Hark! what means that dreadful cry?
The foremast's gone! cries every tongue out, O'er the lee twelve feet 'bove deck; A leak beneath the chest-tree's sprung out, Call all hands to clear the wreck.
Quick the lanyards cut to pieces; Come, my hearts, be stout and bold; Plumb the well-the leak increases, Four feet water in the hold!
While o'er the ship wild waves are beating We our wives and children mourn; Alas! from hence there's no retreating, Alas! to them there's no return!
Still the leak is gaining on us!
Both chain-pumps are choked below:
Heaven have mercy here upon us!
For only that can save us now.
O'er the lee-beam is the land, boys, Let the guns o'erboard be thrown; To the pumps call every hand, boys, See! our mizzen-mast is gone.
The leak we've found, it cannot pour fast; We've lightened her a foot or more; Up and rig a jury foremast.
B She rights! she rights, boys! we're off shore.