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walking with Ben the Whaler and my father. He told me that Spicer had refused to have his leg amputated, when the surgeon had pointed out the necessity of the operation; and that it was now said that it was too late to have the operation performed; and that there was little or no chance of his recovery. They asked me many questions relative to the narrow escape of Bramble, and the behaviour of Bessy.

As soon as I could get away, I set off to the Hospital to see Spicer; for, as the reader must be aware, I had many reasons for having communication with him; - not that I expected that at first he would acknowledge any thing; I knew that his heart was hardened, and that he had no idea of his danger; but I had his secrets, he was indeed in my power; and I hoped, by terrifying him, to obtain the information which I wished.

I found him in bed, in the corner of the Hospital ward, to the left. He was looking very pale, and apparently was in great pain.

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Spicer," said I, "I have come to see you; I am sorry to hear your accident. How is your leg? is it better?"

"No, not much," replied he, writhing, "I am in great pain ; another man would scream out with the agony; but I'm like the wolf, I'll die without complaint."

"But you don't think that you're going to die, Spicer?"

"No, Jack, I don't think that, I never have thought that, when I have been worse than now. I'll never believe that I'm dead until I find myself so. It must come some time or another, but I'm hale and hearty in constitution as yet, and my time is not yet come."

"It was the iron railings which you fell over, was it not? I fell over them myself the same night when I landed, on the Monday, going up to Old Nanny's."

"Who told you it was those cursed spikes? Well, well, so it was; but not on the Monday, Jack, it was on the Wednesday."

"Nay, that cannot be; for, on the Tuesday, as I went down to the beach, I saw them all fixed up in the stonework, and soldered in. It must have been on the Monday - the night on which Old

Nanny was nearly smothered by some one who went in to rob her. I came there just in time to save her life; indeed, if you recollect, you were lame the next day, when I met you in the Hospital."

“Well, Jack, you may think what you please; but I tell you it was on the Wednesday."

"Then you must have fallen over something else."

"Perhaps I did."

"Well, it's of no consequence. I'm glad to find that you're so much better; for I was told that the doctor had said

"What did the doctor say?" interrupted Spicer.

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Why, it's better to tell the truth; he said it was impossible for you to get over it that the inflammation was too great to allow of amputation now, and that it must end in mortification." "He said that!" said Spicer, wildly, raising himself on his elbow.

"Yes, he did; and it's known all over the Hospital."

"Well," replied Spicer, "he may have said so; but I think I ought to know best how I feel. He'll be here in half an hour or so, and then I'll put the question to him. I'm a little tired, Jack, so don't speak to me any more just now."

"Shall I go away, Spicer ?"

"No, no, stay here. There's a book or two; read them till I feel a little stronger."

That my communication had had an effect upon Spicer was evident. He was startled at the idea of the near approach of death, which he had not contemplated. Alas! who is not? He shut his eyes, and I watched him; the perspiration trickled down his forehead. I took up the book he had pointed out to me; it was the History of the Buccaneers, with plates; and I thought then that it was a parallel of Spicer's own career. I looked at the plates, for I was not much inclined to read. In a few minutes Spicer opened his eyes. "I am better now, Jack, the faintness has passed away. What book is that? -oh, the Buccaneers. That and Dampier's Voyages were the only two books of my father's library that I ever thought worth reading. Have

you ever read it?"

"No," replied I, "I never have. Will you lend it to me?"

“Yes; I'll give it to you, Jack, if you like.”

"Thank you.

you ?"

Was your father a sailor, Spicer, as well as

"Yes, Jack, a sailor every inch of him."

"Did you ever sail with him?”

"No, he died about the time that I was born."

Here the doctor, who was going round the wards, came up to Spicer, and asked him how he felt. he.

"Pretty well, Doctor," said

"Come, we must look at your leg, my man; it will require dressing. Is it very painful?"

"Why, yes, sir: it has been very painful, indeed, all night.” The Hospital mates unbandaged Spicer's leg, and took off the poultices; and I was horrified when I saw the state which his leg was in one mass of ulceration from the middle of the thigh down to half way below his knee, and his ankle and foot swelled twice their size; a similar inflammation extending up to his hip. The doctor compressed his lips, and looked very grave. He removed some pieces of flesh, it was then cleaned, and fresh poultices put on.

"Doctor," said Spicer, who had watched his countenance, "they say in the Hospital that you have stated that I cannot live. Now, I should wish to know your opinion myself on this subject, as I believe I am the most interested party."

"Why, my man," said the doctor, "you certainly are in great danger; and if you have any affairs to settle, perhaps it will be prudent so to do."

"That's a quiet way of saying there is no hope for me; is it not, doctor?" replied Spicer.

"I fear, my good man, there is very little."

"Tell me plainly, sir, if you please," replied Spicer; "is there 9"

any "

"I am afraid that there is not, my good man; it's unpleasant to say so; but perhaps it is kindness to tell the truth."

"Well, sir, that is honest. pect to live?"

May I ask you how long I may ex

“That will depend upon when the mortification takes place about three days; after that, my poor fellow, you will probably be no more. Would you like the chaplain to come and see you?" "Thank you, sir; when I do I'll send for him."

The doctor and the attendants went away to the other patients. I was silent. At last Spicer spoke.

“Well, Jack, you were right; so it is all over with me.

Some

how or another, although I bore up against it, I had an inkling of it myself, the pain has been so dreadful. Well, we can die but once, and I shall die game."

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Spicer," said I," that you will die without fear I know very well; but, still, you know that you should not die without feeling sorry for the sins you have committed, and praying for pardon. We have all of us, the very best of us, to make our peace with Heaven; so, had I not better tell the chaplain to come and talk with you ?"

"No, Jack, no; I want no parsons praying by my side. What's done is done, and can't be undone. Go now, Jack, I wish to get a little sleep."

"Shall I come and see you to-morrow, Spicer?"

"Yes, come when you will; I like to have some one to talk to; it keeps me from thinking."

I wished him good day, and went away with the book in my hand. Before I went home I sought out old Anderson, and told him what had passed. "He will not see the chaplain, Anderson, but, perhaps, he will see you; and, by degrees, you can bring him to the subject. It is dreadful that a man should die in that way."

son;

"Alas for the pride of us wretched worms," ejaculated Ander"he talks of dying game, that is to say, he defies his Maker. Yes, Jack, I will go and see him; and happy I am that he has a few days to live. I will see him to-night; but will not say much to him, or he might refuse my coming again."

I went home. I was not in a very gay humour, for the sight of Spicer's leg, and the announcement of his situation, had made a deep impression upon me. I sat down to read the book which Spicer had made me a present of. I was interrupted by my mother requesting me to go a message for her, and during my absence Virginia had taken up the book.

"Spicer

"Who lent you this book, Tom?" said she, when I returned. the man whom they call Black Sam, who is now dying in the Hospital."

"Well, that's not the name on the title-page—it is Walter James, Tynemouth.

"Walter James, did you say, dear? Let me look! Even

so."

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Why, what's the matter, Tom?" said my sister; " if you were puzzled."

you look as

And indeed I do not doubt but I did; for it at once recalled to my mind that Old Nanny's married name was James, and that Spicer had said that his father was a sailor, and that he had died at the time that he was born, which agreed with the narrative of Old Nanny. The conclusions which I came to in a moment made me shudder.

"Well, my dear, I was surprised, if not frightened; but you don't know why, nor can I tell you; for it's not my secret. Let me look at the book again?"

Here my father came in, and the conversation took a different turn, which I was not sorry for. I wished, however, to be left to my own reflections; so I soon afterwards took up my candle, and retired to my room.

I turned the subject over in my mind in a hundred ways, but could not come to any conclusion as to the best method of proceeding. At last I thought I would see Peter Anderson the next day, and take his advice. I was out immediately after breakfast; but I could not find Anderson, so I walked to the Hospital to see Spicer. I found Anderson sitting by his bed-side, but they were not then conversing. After a short time Anderson rose, and giving

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