Part 14 (1/2)
He was a constant sufferer fro this brief sojourn in the United States was a patient in Saint Luke's Hospital, New York, in 1870, suppuration of the thigh having brought him to death's door From the hospital he writes:
”To the Editor of the _Sun_
”Sir,--I have been for some days an inmate of Saint Luke's Hospital, a sufferer froerous ical skill, along with co the the whole of yesterday, and part of the day before (the Lord's Day), the air around me has been resonant hat, in the bitterness of my spirit, I pronounce a _feu d'enfer_ It has resembled an almost continuous fusillade of s of a boe of a cannon I am told that this infernal fracas proceeds fro houses in front of this hospital, and that it is caused by the occupants of these dwellings or their children
”Accustomed in early life to the roar of artillery, my nerves are not easily excited by concussive sounds, and, therefore, I have not been seriously affected by them But, alas! how different with scores of my fellow-sufferers in the hospital, beside the couch offor his victient and experienced men, that they have known several cases where death has not only been hastened, but actually caused by the nervous startling and torture inflicted by these Fourth of July celebrations I have been also informed that the venerable and philanthropic founder of this valuable institution has done all in his power to have this cruel infliction stayed, even by personal appeal to the inhabitants of the houses in question, and that he has been ht to do as we please upon our own premises' I need not point out the utter falsity of this assured view of civic rights, but I would re custom, and the pretence of country's love, perh mere wanton sport, to murder annually one or more of his fellow citizens, I say that such a man is not likely to uished either for their patriotism or humanity
”In the name of hureat cruelty, and, if possible, have it discontinued
”Yours very truly,
”Mayne Reid
”Saint Luke's Hospital, July 5th, 1870”
He was interviewed in the hospital by a lady, rote the following account of her visit to Mayne Reid:
”New York, August 9, 1870
”My sympathies were enlisted, too, for the brave felloho has been languishi+ng in Saint Luke's Hospital The sole tidings of him was the 4th of July remonstrance, which revealed how his spirit chafed at the seclusion and helplessness incomparably worse than physical pain
”To find my way, then, to the hospital seeate shut , and I walked up the path to thewith, I confess, no little trepidation at my boldness In answer to the request 'to see Captain Mayne Reid,' I was conducted through a broad hall into a long ward furnished with an infinite number of low, narrow cots, that looked too sh a short hall and what appeared to be an apothecary's closet brought us to the private roo upon a bedstead (similar to the ones in the ward) which was placed in the centre of the apartment As he turned his head and raised himself upon his elbow to addressEnglish squire The head is compact and covered by a profusion of dark brown hair, which, in contrast with the pallid complexion, stood out as if it had no part and parcel with the corpse-like whiteness of the scalp The broas santic proportions by ideality, causality and reverence The nose, nervous and scornful, would have been ree and beautiful eyes, that are restless habitually, but when fixed upon an object have a lancellating effect, and withal an expression of great good heart, that is seconded by one of the race and beauty somehow complete the charm of his lips and eyes
”To speak first of matters offroun-shot wound received in the Mexican war, cul in an abscess which threatened to exhaust his vitality Recovered froeons in America, he was attacked by dysentery, which at the tiain
”'I may say truly,' he observed, 'that I was dead, and aiven me up, and I felt h for hours, and the brandy and water ad away, and the past and future passing in rapid review before est way, that draughts of pure brandy would sohs I reached forth my hand for the bottle of brandy that stood on my stand and took a s Instantly it went like fire through ht my life was saved I tell it to you for it may be of service to you soh the open , laden with the ht, even step was heard approaching, and a lady ca on the threshold
Oh, but she was fair! with her golden hair caught up under an azure fanchon of satin, and falling in soft ripples over her forehead There was an expression of firave character to the face of infantile shape and loveliness Froure, struck with adraceful pose--an accomplishment feomen possess They dance and sometiown, I observed, hite, with an overdress or wrap of blue, admirably suited to her peculiar style of beauty
”'My wife,' said the invalid, and as he explained that I called because I had read his books she smiled and extended her hand The smile was like sunshi+ne, and the clasp of her soft, cool hand a positive luxury
The clear andwith her beautiful self, and I loitered for a ather a full impression of the scene”
A few days after this interview a serious relapse took place, and on August 10th, telegra” Everything was prepared for his interment, and even an obituary notice ritten
His as allowed to stay at the hospital during the night, being told by the doctors that anyin an unconscious state for the past three days, all the signs of approaching dissolution being present About 8 o'clock on theof the 11th he rallied considerably The doctors and two of the lady nurses were around his bed, when he suddenly raised hi voice: ”Turn those she-Beelzebubs,” pointing to the two ladies, ”out of the roo to die I' me a beef-steak!”
Every one was astounded, the poor chaplain being nearly frightened out of his wits The beef-steak was speedily brought in, and the patient allant Captain slowly progressed towards recovery, and on September 10th left Saint Luke's Hospital and sailed for Liverpool in thehis last visit to the country in whose cause he had shed his blood and earned the laurels of war
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CLOSING SCENES
For some time after his return home Mayne Reid's health remained in a precarious state, and he suffered very much from depression At one time it was almost feared that his mind would not recover its balance
That wonderful intellect was sadly clouded; the terrible ordeal he had passed through in New York had left itshis illusions vanished, and he oncesome short articles for ”Cassell's Illustrated Travels,” he revised ”The Finger of Fate” and ”Lone Ranche,” which was published in two volumes by Chap a new story, ”The Death Shot,” for Mr Ingram It appeared in _The Penny Illustrated Paper_, and was a great success, speedily increasing the circulation of that paper ”The Death Shot” was also published by Beadle and Adams, of New York, in their _Saturday Journal_