Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1856-11-20
,DAY, NOVEMBER 20. 1856.

his dog.
| was passionately fond of the sea, and
being scarce out of my teens, the acme Of
my ambition was 10 mike shorter stays
and quicker voyages than any other ves-
sell aud now that I had share in the
business, private interest supplied to am
bition what it might be losing of youthful
enthusiasm. Upon the whole, | am afraid
| was but sorry lover, and my codncss
and neglect were sufficient incentives to
awaken the witty sarcasms Of the pretty
Clara, which were always joined by the
jovial laugh of old Mr.. Sea.
According to the statements of the
crew, the brig had been haunted for sew
eral nights previous to the completing of
her load, by nocturnal visits; and these
still continued 10 be kept up. One had
seen a small, whitish figure jump from
the wharf, hop quickly across the deck
and leap into the water; another had
seen two figures passing quickly around
the she'd on the wharf, and all had heard
loud reports at midnight, as of the cxplo-
sion Of gun upon the deck. The com
bination of these strange events had so
terrified the supersttious sailors, that
many of them refused to sail until !
should convince them by other means
than words that they were Iaboring under
delusion. And now, when three days
were gone, and their lively imaginations
were enlargmg everything tenfold, de-
termincd to watch one night and weigh
anchor ON the morrow; and for that pur-
pose, on the evening alluded to, after
taking hasty leave of Clara, | proceed
ed in the direction of the vessel The
long wharf was deserted by all the craft,
and not spar arose above the wharf save
those Of our little brig, which lay moored
at the further end. Two small schooners
had Just moved into the channel, and
were awniting a more favorable wind.
The night was growing rather dark, but
disturbed only by soft zephyrs which
sighed softly in the rigging, Having ar
rived at the outer block, and before going
on board, | made a review Of the place.
Near the bow of the vessel, and opening
in the other direction, was shed or
storehouse, erected on the wharf, for con-
venience in loading and unloading. En-
tering and casting a searching glance
around the interior, | satisfied myself that
no one was there concealed. Barrels
and boxes were piled against its walls.
In this corner was heaped a lot Of large
turnips, in that were arranged oars, and
spare yards, and oyster-tongs, and in the
centre were several heavy anchors and
two or three supcrannuated, heavy guns,
Leaving this and stepping on board,
found the men in a fcverish state Of ex-
element.
| endeavored to shame them out Of
their fears by laughing at what ] termed
their folly, upon which they promised that
if watched in the forecastle, where they
/, deemed the most danger was to be en-.
countered and If could explain the mys.
t terious visitation to their satisfaction, they
would sail the next day. Taking witt
{ me two Of the most timid, and sending
r the rest to the cabin, | went below, anC
, stretching myself On sea chest, wa
Esinlling into a deep slurnber, when ,
noise, as Of something falling on deck
D brought me to my feet, and immedatel
a rolling sound was heard, followed by
: sudden plash, as of something fallini
: overboard this was repeated thrice Q
: intervals of about a minute, each time
Q however, increasing in loudness, when a
d was hushed. Taking advantage of III
!, pause, directed ny two men upon u
g account to make disturbance, unless
! called, and went on deck.
d After searching everywhere, and pu
: ting my ear down TO listen, until con
# pletely tired out, wrapped myself up
|. a foresail and awaited in curious anxiet,
IS Remaining half an hour without al
d signs of repetition, | again went belo
d and prepared to sleep. | had bare
'e time to get comfortably stretched, whe
Is as I had inst began 10 dose, noise, lou