Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1838-07-10
selected Tale.
TnE SPIRIT BIRD.

-
then, eommSnted by Ncidemu. Melville. Esq
and bound on a voyage TO Democrats. The fore
mast hands consisted Of ,is able seanen besides
myself bat this being only my second voyage,
was rated as sa otdinsry seaman. We we're al
strangers 10 each other, and beng bat young 10
yosrs. and silll younger in knowledge Of the World
and homan nature. naturally fei, solcilous to
learn something Of The characters 81 he men
with whom was destined IN all hunmH probability
10 associate almost exclusively. for stwfsl mouths
soon eseertsIned however, 10 ms satisfaction,
that NY shipmates, with one esceptiog were real
i0sIal, honest SINGLE hearted isrs. 80 of iron
frames, ~ho could crack their ioac. toes OF ,hel,
glass Of grng, spin long yarn, aud handle
marlingspike hbndspko as knowingly aud
gracefully as any "od salts that ever sailed on
blue wafer.
But there was one man on board, who shipped
under the name of jim THOMPSON whose appear
ance and conduct puzzled me exceedingly, aud in
a short time became the theme Of conycrsaiion
among oil hands He id not seem INC ned to
associate with the rest cf the crew. he never ask
ed question, oud when addressed he answered
ocly Ia mcnosyllabcs. lie was never seen to
smile, aud from his pallid cheeks, his restles. eye,
and sombfe countenancc, 1t was evident that
goish vas preylng on his heart.
But Thompson thorough seminar. ile
was athletic end active, aud indcfatigsble IN the
performance Of his duties. II all hands were
ca led Thompson vas on deck in an instant aud
If the word @as passed to reef iopsalls, he sprung
sloft like cat, and at the weather caring be-
fore the yard WIS Glued down on the cap. If
top-gallant sa,i was TO be furled, or top gallant
yard or mast 10 be sent down in a gaze of vind
Thompson was In the cross trees before any other
mnn ua i'm ha rio In1nab bo al
ways desifous to be employed about something
! and the more sbotious hazardous his occupation
the better he seemed pleased. lie partook Of the
ships fare but spnringly and nerer drank his grog
The first day after leaving port, his allowance was
handed hlm by the stewart. and much 20 the aston
ishment Of that sable func,ionary, he seized the
! glass, and hur.ed it with its contents overheard
mutterng something between bis tooth about
! POISONOUS, murderous liquor"
"A queer chap. that" said Jack Robine, 10 toss
his gtog overheard. If lie had only passed it
this way. would have slowed it in snug locker,
where 1t would never have come athwart his haw-
ger. say, stewart, tits pity such good stuff
should be lost. SO 10 future, just hand me over
| that fellows allowance" Jack Robine sagely
concluded that something wrong in Thomp-
| sons upper works. otherwise be never would have
refused his grog-and as temperance ships were
not IN vogue in those days, the rest Of the crew
were pretty much Of Jacks opinion.
In about fortnight we reached the "horse atl
tudes,'' and Thompson's demeanor was still tho
case Of much speculation among the crew. III
was seldom known to turn into has brth IN h
own watch below and when he caught n nap
chest or on The wlndlass end he would mute
some ncoherent sentences TO himself aud IN
few minutes awake with convulsive start. Al
Al.
the performance OF his various duties. yet hi
flesh had gradually wasted away, and he resembles
an animated skeleton more than being Of hes
and blood.
One day before we got into the regular trad
winds, We were steering to the southwark with
light air on our quarter. The tea was snooll
$ with the exception of long rolling swell nhic
come every now and then from the northwest
Every rag was hung out to catch the scant
breeze, bat the sails tapped heavily sgainst th
mast, and the brig moved through the water oni
at the sluggish rate Of about knot and a halt
Thompson at the helm. The mate and IN
remainder Of the watch were yauously employe
, in different paris Of the ship, the captain was 81
ting reading on the quarter deck, under the shld
D Of the trysull. Suddenly, Thompson hear
10 exclaim Great God he has come Tor me
}. lasi" The captain 90 looking up saw lara
,. bird somewhat resembling a man oi-waf bird b'
20 having a head like ca owl. lowering over he qua
ter deck. lie told the steward 10 pass h.m o
foWling piece bot before This could be done, u
. bird was no longer within shot, having iosn abc
=. quarter OF a ue ahead Of the brig, aud the
quietly oil GIFTED ca tho yaicr. The captain we
forward hoping TO get shot ct the bird from u
flrecasjle. lie ordered The belmsman to steer {
reelly for his intended Ncum, and SEeO with
about thirty wards he hfed-the charge al doc
D. shot struck the water o.. around the Jrd and 10
~ him sprsNhng. Anxious 10 get him on boar
H. some Of the ws,ch jumped iD,o The cham ~aie
others into the boAspni shrouds add bobs'sys.
In few minutes the sjugulafly looking aam
vas under our bows. hangs Setc eagerly siTeich
- forth to gfssp him. wlen apparently siih c.
yul,te efr,Ft, he recovered bis natural position
d, tie water. stretched out BIZ. wings and 10 TIE O
% spcaksb'e astonisamebt Of the cfer. deliberate
BE- Sew away,
'' Thompson saw this strange scene from d
quarter cooA, tnd exclaimed. Captain Melville,
- IL Of 10 Gee 10 Gre 81 tat b.fd--you only ~a'
yoof powder aud tho,--you eau Gsyef bU 49,
81, tIy once more At ell e'cA,s" replied {
- eapiaia.