Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-06-02

What is it, Ben, asked Mr.. Grafton.
why, SIR resumed old Ben, syou know
am not weakminded man or fool exactly
for | was born and bred in Yorkshire
No, Ben, don't believe you to be weak
minded, nor do | think you are fool, said Mr..
Grafton. But what can you have to say that
you are come at this late hour, and that you
require such preface.'
That have seen the Ghost of Fisher, sir,
said the old man and he detailed the partcu-
lars of which the reader is in possession.
Mr.. Grafton was at first disposed to think
with old Betty, that Ben had seen Fishers
| ghost through an extra glass or two of rum on
the first night and that on the second night,
when perfectly sober, he was unable to divest
himself of the idea previously entertained
But after a little consideration, the words
How very singular' invountarily escaped
| him.
Go home, Ben,' said Mr.. Grafton, 'and let
me see You tomorrow morning at sunrise =
We will 60 together to the place where you
say yon saw the ghost
| Mr. Grafton used to encourage the aborigi-
nal natives of New South Wales (that race
which has been very aptly described the last
link in the human chainO to remain about his
premises. At the head of little tribe then
encamped on Mr.. Grafton's estate, was sharp
young man called Johnny Crook. The pecu-
liar faculty ofthe aboriginal natives of New
South Wales, of tracking the human foot not
only over grass, but over the hardest rock, and
of tracking the whereabouts of runaways by
signs imperceptbe to civilized eyes, is well
known; and this man, Johnny Crook, was ia
nous for skill in this particular art Of tracking.
He had recently been instrumental in the ap-
prehension of several bush-rangers, whom he
had tracked over twenty-seven miles of rocky
country and fields, which they had crossed
bare-footed in the hope of checking the black
fellow in the progress of his keen pursuit with
the horse police.
When old Ben Weir, made his appearance
in the morning at Mr.. Grafton's house, the
black chief Johnny Crook, was summoned to
attend. He came, and brought with him sew
eral of his subjects. The party set out, old
Wier showing the way. The leaves on the
branches of the saplings which he had broken
on the first night of seeing the ghost were
withered and sufficiently pointed out the exact
rail on which the phantom was represented to
have sat. There were stains upon the rail-
Johnny Crook, who had no idea what he was
required for, pronounced these stains to be
'White mans blood;' and after searching
about for some time, he pointed TO a spot
whereupon he said human body had been
laid.
Tn New South Wales long droughts are not
uncommon; and not a single shower of rain
had fallen for seven months previously, not
sufficient even TO lay the dust upon the roads.
In consequence of the time that had elapsed,
Crook had no small difficulty to contend with !;
but in about two hours he succeeded in track
ing the footsteps of one man to the unfrequent-
ed side of pond at some distance. He gave
it as his opinion that another man had been
dragged thither. The savage walked round
and round the pool, eagerly examining its bor-
ders and the sedges and weeds springing up
around it. At first he seemed baffied. No
clue had been washed ashore to show that any
thing unusual had been sunk in the pond but
having flashed his examination, he laid him
self down on his face and looked keenly along
the surface Of the smooth and stagnant water.
Presently he jumped up, uttered cry peculiar
to the native when gratiied by finding some
loug-sought object, clapped his hands, and
pointing to the middle of the pond where the
decomposition of some sunken substance had
produced Shiny coating streaked with pris-
matte colors, ne exclaimed, 'White mans fat y
The pond was Immediately searched, and be-
low tie spot indicated, the remains of body
were discovered. A large stone and rotted
silk handkerchief were found near the body
These had been used to sink it.
That it was the body of Fisher there could
be no question. 1t might have been identified
by the teeth but on the waistcoat there were
some large brass buttons which were immedi-
ately recognized, both by Mr.. Grafton and by
old Ben Weir, as Fishers property. He had
worn these buttons on his waistcoat for several
years.
Leaving the body by the side of the pond,
and old Ben and the blacks to guard it, Mr..
Grafton cantered up to Fishers house. Smith
was not only in possession of all the missing
mans property, but had removed to Fishers
house. 1t was about mile and a half distant
He inquired for Mr.. Smith. Mr.. Smith came
out, and invited Mr. Grafton to alight. Mr.
Grafton accepted the invitation, and after few
desultory observations, said-'Mr. Smith, |
am anxious to purchase piece of land belong
ing to this estate, and would give fair price
for it. Have you the power to sell it!'
'Oh yes, sir replied Smith. 'The power
which hold from Fisher is a general power :
and he forthwith produced document purport-
ing TO be signed by Fisher, but which was not
witnessed.
If you are not very busy, I should like to
show you the piece of land alIude to- said
Mr.. Grafton.
'Oh, certainly, sir, / am quite at your SER
vice. said Smith; and he then ordered his
horse to be saddled.
1t was necessary to pass the pond where the
4 - L !.