Nov.] DEATH OF SPINNEY. 347 



I kept the death of Mr. Geery a secret from the officers in the 

 cabin, who were all very much attached to him. I also kept my wife 

 in ignorance of the fact, who made daily inquiries respecting Mr. 

 Geery's health for nearly a month after his burial ; frequently sending 

 her brother to carry him some little delicacy or dainty, from her own 

 stores. She was much shocked when I finally communicated to her the 

 melancholy intelligence, which was not until her health was partially 

 restored. 



November 3d. — Tuesday, the 3d, found ten of the Antarctic's crew 

 lying, apparently, at the point of death. At one, P. M., on visiting 

 the forecastle, I found that Daniel Spinney had been struck by the cold 

 hand of the fell destroyer. His legs were cold nearly as high as his 

 hips, and the blood had settled under all his nails. We lost no time 

 in making the usual exertions to restore the circulation in his limbs ; 

 and several times during the afternoon and evening our labours ap- 

 peared to be crowned with success. But he told me, from the first 

 attempt, that it was of no use, as he was confident that he could not 

 recover. 



" This weather-beaten hull of mine must founder, captain, and go 

 down to Davy Jones's locker ; but I hope my spirit, my soul, and that 

 is I myself, will find a pleasant berth aloft, and ship with the Captain 

 of our salvation." I told him I rejoiced to perceive that he was not 

 afraid to die. " Why should I be afraid to die ?" said he. " I have 

 never injured man, woman, or child. I have always been kind to my 

 shipmates. I have treated every man just as I should wish to be 

 treated were I in his place and he in mine. I have never brought any 

 sorrow or affliction upon any person, to my knowledge. I have never 

 stood still and seen a female insulted. I was never backward in 

 placing myself in front of the enemy during the last war ; and I be- 

 lieve I never shrank from my duty, in any point, since I first belonged 

 to a ship. Why then should I fear to die 1 The Captain with whom 

 I am now going to ship is full of mercy and compassion. He wont 

 reject an honest tar that's done his duty. If you, who have more or 

 less earthly passions about you, have been so kind to me, why should I 

 doubt His kindness 1 Besides, I have looked death in the face too 

 often to tremble at him now." It was now near midnight. 



After some time spent in expressing his gratitude to me, which was 

 done in a strain that I do not think proper to repeat, he added, " May 

 God bless you, sir, and your good lady ; who, although she has been 

 lying at the point of death for some time, has been robbing herself of 

 many little dainties, and sending them forward every day to me and 

 my sick shipmates. We cared nothing for the sweetmeats, and such- 

 like ; but it was the action we looked at — it is your lady's good-will 

 towards us that makes us all so grateful. I once heard the Rev. Mr. 

 Chase say, when preaching in the Mariners' Church in Roosevelt- 

 street, at New- York, — Ah ! I shall never see that flag again, — Grati- 

 tude, he said, was an evidence of grace in the heart. I hope it is so, 

 for I can assure you, my dear sir, that the Antarctic has some grateful 

 hearts on board." 



After many more expressions of this kind, he begged me to leave him, 



