Accordingly the man directed the boat to the landing, where they disembarked just as the evening was closing in.
CHAPTER XXXV.
THE DEATH-BED
“Ah, what a sign it is of evil life,
When death’s approach is seen so terrible.” —Shakespeare.
“Black it stood as night,
Fierce as ten furies.” —Milton.
“To die, I own
Is a dread passage.” —Thomson
It was several hours later in the evening. In a small room, in one of the dwellings which the conflagration at the Neck had spared, Aylesford lay extended on a bed, his life ebbing fast away.
On landing, he had desired to see some of the principal officers, to whom he had disclosed the name of his family, which he found not unknown; and having besought that the men who had accompanied him should not be considered prisoners, desired next the services of a surgeon as soon as one could be spared. Fallen, as he was, in many particulars, his sense of honor made him thus provide for the safety of his companions before looking after his wound.
The surgeon attended immediately, accompanied by the leader of the expedition, for the latter, aware of the vast estates of the Aylesfords, in the colonies, as well as of their noble connexions in England, and hearing that the male representative of the name had been brought in wounded, naturally concluded that the hurt was received while he was hastening to join the royal standard. On discovering the precarious condition of his guest, this officer directed that the utmost attention should be paid to him, and left with reluctance to attend to the urgent calls of his command.
The surgeon was not long in discovering that the wound of his patient was mortal; that human skill could even do but little to prolong life; and that all which was left for him was to alleviate the sufferings of the dying man. Aylesford read his doom in the countenance of the physician. He had, however, suspected it from the first. As we have seen, on former occasions, he was not deficient in courage, and he asked in a voice quite calm if his suspicions were not correct.
“Don’t be afraid to speak out, Doctor,” he said, resolutely, though in a feeble voice. “It’s false kindness to conceal the truth, when a man’s within an hour of death.”