The Captain paused irresolute;—

“To leave the helpless little brute

To the wrecked seaman’s death accurst,

The slow fierce hunger, the mad thirst,—

“I wish not my worst enemy

Such death as that! Lay to!” said he.

The ship came up into the wind;

The slackening canvas flapped and dinned;

And the ship’s boat with scant delay

Was swung and lowered and away,—