I
could see that he was not strong, but I had no idea the end
was so near. The doctor has been watching him very
carefully, and yesterday morning came to me and told me that
Nolan was not so well, and had not left his state-room--a
thing I never remember before. He had let the doctor come
and see him as he lay there--the first time the doctor had
been in the state-room--and he said he should like to see
me. Oh, dear! do you remember the mysteries we boys used to
invent about his room in the old _Intrepid_ days? Well, I
went in, and there, to be sure, the poor fellow lay in his
berth, smiling pleasantly as he gave me his hand, but
looking very frail. I could not help a glance round, which
showed me what a little shrine he had made of the box he was
lying in. The Stars and Stripes were triced up above and
around a picture of Washington, and he had painted a
majestic eagle, with lightnings blazing from his beak and
his foot just clasping the whole globe, which his wings
overshadowed. The dear old boy saw my glance, and said, with
a sad smile, "Here, you see, I have a country!" And then he
pointed to the foot of his bed, where I had not seen before
a great map of the United States, as he had drawn it from
memory, and which he had there to look upon as he lay.
Quaint, queer old names were on it, in large letters:
"Indiana Territory," "Mississippi Territory," and "Louisiana
Territory.
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