The Life of General Garibaldi: Translated from his private papers; with the history of his splendid exploits in Rome, Lombardy, Sicily and Naples, to the present time.Garibaldi, Giuseppe
History
The Life of General Garibaldi: Translated from his private papers; with the history of his splendid exploits in Rome, Lombardy, Sicily and Naples, to the present time.
Garibaldi, Giuseppe
Garibaldi, Giuseppe, 1807-1882
The first one who came near to me, holding to a shroud, was Eduardo
Mutru; and to him I gave a dead-light, recommending to him not to let go
of it on any account. Carniglia, the courageous man who was at the helm
at the moment of the catastrophe, remained confined to the vessel on the
windward side, being held down in such a manner, by a Calmuc jacket
which confined his limbs, that he could not free himself. He made me a
sign that he wanted my assistance, and I sprang forward to relieve my
dear friend. I had in the pocket of my trowsers a small knife with a
handle; this I took, and with all the strength I was master of, began to
cut the collar, which was made of velvet. I had just divided it when the
miserable instrument broke,—a surge came over us, and sunk the vessel
and all that it contained.
I struck the bottom of the sea, like a shot; and the waters, which
washed violently around me like whirlpools, half-suffocated me. I rose
again: but my unfortunate friend was gone for ever! A portion of the
crew I found dispersed, and making every exertion to gain the coast by
swimming. I succeeded among the first; and the next thing, after setting
my feet upon the land, was to turn and discover the situation of my
comrades. Eduardo appeared, at a short distance. He had left the
dead-light which I had given him, or, as is more probable, the violence
of the waves had torn it from his grasp, and was struggling alone, with
an appearance that indicated that he was reduced to an extremity. I
loved Eduardo like a brother, and was affected beyond measure at his
condition. Ah! I was sensitive in those days! My heart had never been
hardened; and I was generous. I rushed towards my dear friend, reaching
out to him the piece of wood which had saved me on my way to the shore.
I had got very near him; and, excited by the importance of the
undertaking, should, have saved him: but a surge rolled over us both;
and I was under water for a moment. I rallied, and called out, not
seeing him appear; I called in desperation,—but in vain. The friend dear
to my heart was sunk in the waves of that ocean which he had not feared,
in his desire to join with me in serving the cause of mankind. Another
martyr to Italian liberty, without a stone, in a foreign land!
The bodies of sixteen of my companions, drowned in the sea, were
transported a distance of thirty miles, to the northern coast, and
buried in its immense sands. Several of the remainder were brought to
land. There were seven Italians. I can mention Luigi Carniglia, Eduardo
Mutru, Luigi Stadirini, Giovanni D.,—but three other names I do not
remember. Some were good swimmers. In vain I looked among those who were
saved, to discover any Italian faces. All my countrymen were dead. My
feelings overpowered me. The world appeared to me like a desert. Many of
the company who were neither seamen nor swimmers were saved.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account