Between them and
eternity, to all human calculation, there is but a minute and a half.
Oh heavens! what is it that I shall do? Speaking or acting, what help
can I offer? Strange it is, and to a mere auditor of the tale might
seem laughable, that I should need a suggestion from the "Iliad" to
prompt the sole resource that remained. Yet so it was. Suddenly I
remembered the shout of Achilles, and its effect. But could I pretend
to shout like the son of Peleus, aided by Pallas? No: but then I needed
not the shout that should alarm all Asia militant; such a shout would
suffice as might carry terror into the hearts of two thoughtless young
people and one gig-horse. I shouted--and the young man heard me not. A
second time I shouted--and now he heard me, for now he raised his
head.
Here, then, all had been done that, by me, _could_ be done; more on
_my_ part was not possible. Mine had been the first step; the
second was for the young man; the third was for God. If, said I, this
stranger is a brave man, and if indeed he loves the young girl at his
side--or, loving her not, if he feels the obligation, pressing upon
every man worthy to be called a man, of doing his utmost for a woman
confided to his protection--he will at least make some effort to save
her. If _that_ fails, he will not perish the more, or by a death
more cruel, for having made it; and he will die as a brave man should,
with his face to the danger, and with his arm about the woman that he
sought in vain to save.
Pages:
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90