Main-Truck; Or, A Leap for Life

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <p id="id00154" style="margin-top: 5em">The Main-Truck; Or, A Leap for Life</p> <p id="id00155" style="margin-top: 2em">A Nautical Ballad.</p> <p id="id00156" style="margin-top: 2em">[Founded upon a well-known tale from the pen of the late William<br/> Leggett, Esq.]<br/></p> <p id="id00157" style="margin-top: 4em">Old Ironsides at anchor lay,<br/> In the harbor of Mahon;<br/> A dead calm rested on the bay—<br/> The waves to sleep had gone;<br/> When little Jack, the captain's son,<br/> With gallant hardihood,<br/> Climbed shroud and spar—and then upon<br/> The main-truck rose and stood!<br/></p> <p id="id00158">A shudder ran through every vein—<br/> All eyes were turned on high!<br/> There stood the boy, with dizzy brain,<br/> Between the sea and sky!<br/> No hold had he above—below,<br/> Alone he stood in air!<br/> At that far height none dared to go—<br/> No aid could reach him there.<br/></p> <p id="id00159">We gazed—but not a man could speak!—<br/> With horror all aghast<br/> In groups, with pallid brow and cheek,<br/> We watched the quivering mast.<br/> The atmosphere grew thick and hot,<br/> And of a lurid hue,<br/> As, riveted unto the spot,<br/> Stood officers and crew.<br/></p> <p id="id00160">The father came on deck—He gasped,<br/> "O, God, Thy will be done!"<br/> Then suddenly a rifle grasped,<br/> And aimed it at his son!<br/> "Jump far out, boy! into the wave!<br/> Jump, or I fire!" he said:<br/> "That only chance your life can save!<br/> Jump—jump, boy!"—He obeyed.<br/></p> <p id="id00161">He sank—he rose—he lived—he moved—<br/> He for the ship struck out!<br/> On board we hailed the lad beloved<br/> With many a manly shout.<br/> His father drew, in silent joy,<br/> Those wet arms round his neck,<br/> Then folded to his heart the boy<br/> And fainted on the deck!<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />