He strove to slay, and I to save
His life and mine if such might be,
And in the trough and on the wave
Like beasts we grappled savagely.
To plead were vain; I could not hear
My voice above the tempest’s breath,
I only knew my feet were near
The awful, icy edge of Death.
We fought until the dark became
A glare of crimson to my eyes,