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ON BOARD THE CUMBERLAND. |
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Knee-deep in water; so we left;
Some swore, some groaned with pain.
We reached the deck. There Randall stood:
" Another turn, men — so ! " Calmly he aimed his pivot-gun :
" Now, Tenny, let her go ! "
It did our sore hearts good to hear
The song our pivot sang, As rushing on from wave to wave
The whirring bomb-shell sprang.
Brave Randall leaped upon the gun,
And waved his cap in sport; " Well done ! well aimed ! I saw that shell
Go through an open port."
It was our last, our deadliest shot;
The deck was overflown ; The poor ship staggered, lurched to port,
And gave a living groan.
Down, down, as headlong through the waves
Our gallant vessel rushed, A thousand gurgling, watery sounds
Around my senses gushed. |
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