University of Virginia Library

The day was broke when we got to the Rue,
And there was the Waterwitch full in view.
She wasn' on, but very near it,
Just makin' her last tack to clear it:
They'd tried to anchor, but the cable went snap;
They'd tried her with the jib and a scrap
Of a mizzen, but it wouldn do—
Closer, closer to the Rue!
And, when we came upon the beach,
They were settin' the mainsail reefed to the leech—
And the only chance there was for the ship—
When there came a squall, and the mast gave a rip,
And out of her, and there she was!
Roullin' on like a dead hoss —
Helpless, you know, “Stand by now, men!
She'll strike, and strike, and strike again,
Afore she'll settle”—I says; and she gave
A heel to starboard; and then a wave,
Like an elephant, took her on his back,
And in with a run, and crack—crack—crack!
And then a scrunch, the way I said,
And the Waterwitch had made her bed—
Fast—stuck fast in a sort of a jint
Betwix' two rocks, that lay off the pint
About a thirty fathom or so,
And covered them; and the tide would flow
Maybe an hour after that—
Bless ye! like a mouse with a cat!
And the short seas herryin' her,
And the long seas buryin' her,
And the tearin' and sawin' on the rocks—
You could see she was breakin' up like a box.
So says I—“The work has got to be done!”
And sthrips—says Cain: “Go on, my son!”
“No!” says Tommy, “I'll go!” says he;
“I'll go!” he says, “it's me! it's me!”
“Look here!” says I, “just wait a second!
Look here now, Tommy! how long do ye reckon
You'll live in that sea? The very first flop
Will rowl ye over like a top.
Are you wantin' to get drowned?” says I.
“If I die,” he says, “I'd like to die!”
“Indeed!” I says, “aw dear! aw dear!
Whisper, Tommy!” and I stooped to his ear—
“Whisper—patience just a bit!
Maybe you're goin' to have her yet!”
Aw! I tell ye, he was just like a lamb—
Coaxin'! that's the way I am!