my last letter; I pray that I may have strength to finish
it. The river was not so long as I expected, and now my poor raft is
breaking. Nor would I live, for now I know who has power over me, I know
now whose were those drooping eyelids; it is better not to live, for I
have not strength to conquer them.

It is autumn, the last leaves are falling, the cold winter is coming,
but I shall not be here to dread its cold. My winter is on me now, and
may God grant that through it I come to the eternal spring. All that I
want is to see Benicia and you once more, but that cannot be. Now a
last, long farewell to Benicia; I can write no more, I am too cold. The
raft is broken; the journey was not long.

God bless you, good bye; I am going to lie down now. Give the ruby ring,
which I wear, to dear Benicia as a memory of me; and tell Beni--

* * * * *

Here was the ending of the letter in the unfinished name of his loved
one.

[Illustration: Scroll]

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Napa Christchild; and Benicia's
Letters, by Charles A. Gunnison

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