Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-05-16
nlisfelIanrous Artiflcs.
STAND FROM UNDER. I"
By MRS. D. L. CHILD.

Out OccduSe 4 DeIItN6u IL WAS OiIC Vi III
numerous traditions among sea-farin
people; and l thought it fine specime
of that wild and terrible grandeur of tn
imagination naturally excited by the sol
itude and dangers of the ocean. 1 hav
since learned that the same story, or
similar one, had been previously writer
for an English periodical; but never hav
ing seen that story, I cannot be accuses
Of plagiarism or imitation.
We were on board slave ship, bounC
to the coast of Africa. l had my misgiv
ings about the business; and l believe
others had them too. We had passed the
Straits of Gibraltar, and were lying of
Barbary, one clear, bright evening, when
it came my turn to take the helm. The
ship was becalmed, and every thing
around was as silent as the day after the
| deluge. The wide monotony of water
varied only by the glancings of the moon
on the crest of the waves, made me think
the old fables of Neptune were true; and
that Amphitrite and her Maids were
sporting on the surface of the ocean, with
diamonds in their hair. These fancies
were followed by thoughts of my wife,
my children and my homeland all were
oddly enough jumbled together in a de-
llclous state of approaching slumber.-
Suddenly, l heard, high above my head,
loud, deep, terrible voice call out,
" Stand from under!' / started TO nv
feet. 1t was the customary signal when
anything was to be thrown from the
shrouds, and mechanically sung out the
usual answer, "Let 60" But nothing
came. Hooked up in the shrouds-there
was nothing there-I searched the deck.
and found that 1 was alone! 1 tried to
think it was dream, but that sound, so
deep, so stern, so dreadful, rung in my
ears like the bursting of cannon.
In the morning told the crew what I
had heard. They laughed at me, and
were all day long full of their jokes about
dreaming Tom" One fellow amopp
them was most unmerciful in his railery.
lie was swarthy, malignant-looking
Spaniard, who carried murder in his ewes.
and curses on his tongue-a daring and
lordly man who boosted of crime, as i'll
it gave him prominence among his fell
lows. He laughed longest and loudest at
my story. "a most uncivil ghost, Tom,"
said he, "when such chaps come to see
me, I'll make 'em show themselves. I'll
not be satisfied without seeing and feeling,
as we'll as hearing"
The sailors all joined with him, and I.
ashamed of my alarm, was glad 10 be ST.
lent. The next night Dick Burton took
the helm. Dick had nerves like an OK.
and slnews like a whale. 1t was little
he feared on earth or beneath it. The
clock struck one. Dick was leaning on
he helm, as he said, thinking nothing of
ne or my story, when that awful voice
lgaln called from the shrouds,-" Stand
rom under" Dick started forward like
In Indian arrow. 1t was an instant or
more before he found presence of mind
o call out, Let gop Again nothing
vas seen-nothing heard. Ten nights
n succession, at l o'clock, the same I'M
earthly sound rung through the air, ma
iing our stoutest sailors quail, as if a bull
ct had gone through their brains. All
asst the crew grew pale when it was spo-
Ken OF; and the worst of US never went
o sleep without saying our prayers
For myself, l would have been chained
o the oar all the rest of my life. to have
5ot out OF that vessel But there we ,
we're In the vast solitude of ocean. and
his invisible being was with us. No one {
Tut bold face on the matter but Antonio '
he Spaniard. He laughed at our fears {
ND defied Satan himself to terrify him s
however, when it came his turn at the
elm, ne refused to go. Several times
nder the pretenee of illness, he was ex-
used from duty which all on board f
readed' But at last the Captain ordered t
antonio to receive a dozen round lasbes L
very night, until he should consent 70 t
ertorm his share of the unwelcome Office il
or while this was borne patiently il
ut at length he called out, ~ NAV as n
ell die one way as another-give me b
yer to the ghost"
That night Antonio kept watch on the
eek Few of the crew slept; for ex 0
and alarm had stretched orr =
srVes upon the rack. AT one O'Clock II
le voice called, "Stand from under p, g
Let go| screamed the Spaniard.- .
HIS was answered by shrek of laugh -
r-and such laughter 1t seemed as e u
lie hends answered each other from nola &c
pole, and the bass was bowlod = IN,
hen came sudden crash upon the deck
II our masts and spars had fallen l"