MURDOCK GILLIS.
Murdock Gillis rescued the crew of the schooner Avenger by swimming a long distance with the life-line through a boisterous sea in a blinding snow storm.
In one of winter's blinding storms,
While waves were topping wild and high,
A vessel grounded on a rock
And all on board it seemed must die.
While waves were topping wild and high,
A vessel grounded on a rock
And all on board it seemed must die.
Afar from shore and numbed with cold,
Each close the others' face could scan,
For tenor bated every breath,
And all were looking strangely wan.
Each close the others' face could scan,
For tenor bated every breath,
And all were looking strangely wan.
In vain they launched their only boat—
The waves seemed glad to show their power—
What wonder that their cheeks were blanched,
It was indeed a fearful hour.
The waves seemed glad to show their power—
What wonder that their cheeks were blanched,
It was indeed a fearful hour.
Then loud was heard the captain's call.
In spite of all the awful roar,
"Is there a man who dares to swim
And bear the life-line to the shore?"
In spite of all the awful roar,
"Is there a man who dares to swim
And bear the life-line to the shore?"
And quick an earnest voice replied—
"Aye! aye! sir, I will be the one;
Make fast the line, God granting strength
You need not fear, it shall be done."
"Aye! aye! sir, I will be the one;
Make fast the line, God granting strength
You need not fear, it shall be done."
An active, able man was he,
Well used upon the sea to ride;
A mighty wave swept him along,
And bore him to the mountain side.
Well used upon the sea to ride;
A mighty wave swept him along,
And bore him to the mountain side.
But lo! 'twas rock, so steep and bare,
That he no footing could obtain,
He labored bravely for awhile,
And then was drawn to ship again.
That he no footing could obtain,
He labored bravely for awhile,
And then was drawn to ship again.
But after rest, yet undismayed,
His work of peril tried once more;
His efforts met their just reward,
He made the life-line fast on shore.
His work of peril tried once more;
His efforts met their just reward,
He made the life-line fast on shore.
And then a stronger line he drew,
And made it more securely fast,
And all that seeming fated crow,
Were safely brought to shore at last.
And made it more securely fast,
And all that seeming fated crow,
Were safely brought to shore at last.
Ah, Gillis beats an honored name,
He acted well a noble part,
And while in life those friends remain,
He holds a place in every heart.
He acted well a noble part,
And while in life those friends remain,
He holds a place in every heart.