Goodwin Sands

Still they shipped them — nine-and-twenty.
(God be blessed ! )

When a man with glaring eyes

Rushed up frantic to the gangway with a cry
choked in his throat —

Thrust a bundle in a sailor’s ready hands.

Honest Jack, Ze understands —.

Why, a blanket for a woman in the boat !

“ Catch tt, Bill!”

And he flung it with a will;

And the boatman turned and caught it, bless
him !— caught it, tho’ it slipped,

And, even as he caught it, heard an infant’s
cries,

While a woman shrieked, and snatched it to
her breast —

* My baby!”
So the thirtieth passenger was shipped !

Twice, and thrice, and yet again
Flew the lifeboat down the gale
With the moonlight on her sail —
With the sunrise on her sail —

95