Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-10
TUESDAY NlDRlGn1a9 MAY ao0 1885,

same bell-like tones, so faint and Tar,
that nothing lived 'twixt them and 81
lence." i called to the Captain to lis
ten; he sat moment without speaking
and then started up, exclaiming, 81
hear it too" The sailors seemed to
have noticed it also, for they were hush
ed and listening. The Captain went
aloft with his glass, and looked in ev-
cry direction. 81 hear it," said he,
distinctly, but can see noting; it
cannot be from shore, for we are more
than fifty leagues from any land" The
attention of all on board was now fully
awake. The sailors stood upon the
forecastle in anxious groupes, all but
the old man, the singular expression
of whose features I had remarked in
the morning. He sat alone upon the
windlass, with his hands folded, and
his eyes intently fixed upon the deck
but still he spoke not. Various con-
lectures were hazarded among us, but
none that satisfactorily accounted for
the noise The afternoon passed, Sc
the sun again set, while the tinkling
sound still came floating over the wa
tiers. 1t was late before sleep closed
my eyes that night. When the morn
ing of the next day dawned, the Cap
tain went again to the mast head with
his glass, but no sail appeared upon
the horizon--yet still the ceaseless
bell was plainlyto be heard, while not
a breath Of wind was to be felt. Noon
came, and still the calm continued,
and the sound approached nearer and
nearer, when on sudden, the Captain
from the top cried out 81 see it now,
but what it is, God only knows: it does
not look like any craft that ever the
hand of man fashioned" We all rush
ed to the forecastle, and in silence a.
waited the approach Of this strange
navigator. 1t came careering over
the waters with rapid motion, and as
it drew near; exhibited to our wander
ing gaze single black mast, rising
from the centre Of what seemed a
square and solid block of wood, but
without yard or sail, nor did any liv-
ing creature appear upon it. propo-
sed to take the boat and board it; but
the sailors shook their heads, and the
Captain was silent. Determined to
discover the meaning of this phenom-
enon, jumped into the boat, intending
to scull towards it, when the old sailor,
seeing my resolution, declared that he
would go with me; and the Captain af-
ter moments hesitation, also joined
us. We rowed swiftly EDWARDS 10
meet the object of our curiosity which
was now within half mile Of the
ship, and in few minutes, were suffi-
GENTLY near to perceive the bell, the
ringing Of which had announced its
coming, at the top ofthe mast. twas
green and rusty as if with age, and the
sides of the nondescript barque were
covered with barnacles, and tangled
masses of seaweed. Immediately be-
meath the bell, which still swung from
side to side with deafening din, was at
tached deep sea line, passing over
the side and defending into the water,
The moment our boat touched this
strange vessel, the bell ceased to toll,
and the floating mass became immove-
able. We gazed upon it, and upon
each otherin amazement: and at length,
the Captain in low and tremulous
voice, proposed to return, but the sal
Ior said "no! 1t was an evil hour when
we met this accursed" (his voice
sunk, and l could not distinguish what
he uttered) "but we have met it, and
we must not leave it thus. Let us haul
upon this line" We did so for nearly
90 minutes, but with great difficulty,
for it seemed as if some ponderous bo-
dy at the extremity, resisted our ef-
forts.
At length the profound stiffness that
had hitherto previled amongst US, was
broken by the Captain, who looked
down into the water, and exclaimed,
"great God what have we here" We
followed with our eyes the motion OF
his hand and saw large object glisten'
ing white beneath the waves, and ap-
pearing like gigantic corpse, wrap.
ped in white cloth and bound with
cords. "Now may heaven shield U.S.
said the seaman, in husky voice, sit
is the shrouded Demon of the Sea"
| AS he spoke he drew his knife from
his belt, and in an instant severed the
line. The body turned its white sides
flashing through the dark waters, and
with the rapidity Of lightning, disap.
peared from our view. B.
The following ludicrous examination
Of witness in a suit for damages
against Bagsbaw for seduction, is from
late London paper.
William Stephenson examined
] know Bagsha; went to Tideswel
fair in October, for you must know
had little business to settle.
! MIR. Sergeant Yaughan.-Nevsr