Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-03-04


duty, IT he can be treated like the rest of the
eFew-Eke an innocent man, after giving US al
this troUble.-"
/ The captain paused and looked at the mate
! full of wrath and astonshment
I "Wen, sir" said the mate its saucv enough
in him, but need his services. sir. Though
can't think il possible that he can be on the
island
" Possible. why-no-not without We have
been devilishly deceived and cheated by these
kanaeker rasals who pretended TO search heav-
en- and earth for him; but you don't think of
letting him come on board, Mr. Powers, after all
the mischief he's done, and letting MIN go IN
punished"
&" " hat better can do, sir o.
"What can we do? Why, if the fellow is
really here, veil dig to the centre of tie earth
bat what wen catch lin III stay here six
weeks longer to -"
And lose the chance Japan, Capt c.?
That would be a bad Job for us ALL"
"The devil and SO, Mr. Powers, vou want to
bring this runaway on board here to laugh at me,
do you ,"
Certainly not, sir. He don't feel like laugh
ing, III be bound, by this time His sending
the billet shows that he's nearly starved to
death"
"Tlat's true-that's true said Capt c.,
thoueLtfuIly.
After few minutes discourse with the mate,
the captain took out his peacil and wrote on a
scrap of paper
Sam Hurley has my pardon if he returns to
his duty and behaves like man. OC
The nalive-aok the note to the side of The ship,
and leaning over, spoke to the man in the ca
noe, holding out the note to- him at the same
time.
The man received the note from the band Of
the native and read it carefully. He then put it
N his old cap, and began to ascend the side Of
the vessel
Who is that 2" cried the captain, as he stared
at the maa
The person who had taken the note was a thin
bul active individual, with black eyes deeply
set in bis head, wasted cheeks, the skin drawn
tightly around the forehead, and meagre, bony
neck. His feet and legs were bare and lean
He was about the medium height, aud was
wrapped in old blanket
The captain stared al this CHASTITY creature, as
he stepped upon deck; while the latter
turned immediately toward the crew, and with
a familiar nod, began to walk forward towards
the forecastle
1t Is Sam, said one OF the crew
Its Hurley come back :" muttered another
and 50 this fearful object walked on while the
crew shrunk back to let him pass.
Well well, said the mate, looking after the
annotated creature, " If tins is what comes OF
-r1l -o.l, - ,
you, Brown, don't you want to run away ?'
The boy to whom thls question was addressed
shook his head and said, - No sir-but is that
sam ?"
:" 1 don't wondor you ask" replied the mate.
" He's rather lost flesh since he left US"
The returned fugitive shook hands with some
of the crew and asked for something to cat
Every one crowded around him, now, to ask
questions and hear of his adventures but word
was given 10 hcave at the windla=s
We got to sea in first rate style, and with a
fine breeze went off to eastward All hands
were employed in unbending and slowing the
cables till night. Then with Sam seated on the
windlass and the crew gathered around him it
was hoped that something would be told US of
his adventures and how he had contrived 50 long
to elude the hunters; but with shrilI. weak,
and trembling voice, he babe US wait till he was
for it hurt him to talk DC
This IS not the sociable free and careless
Sam of other days" said the crew to each other.
" How cold, hunger and hardship change man
thus? 1t is not the voice of Hurley--it is not
his manner Of looking and acting, aud what
terrible blancbness there is about The eyes !"
Yes" said one, al met him yesterday as I
turned the corner Of the try-works, and his eyes
rested fun upon me moment it made my
flesh crawl and my blood run cold"
q" P'raps it amt sam, arter all p cried the
black cook. who overheard the last words-"I
tell you dere is been stranger ting den dat 'bord
ship"
\ shout Of derision was all the reply >euch-
safed to the cook. No one thought of doubling
this mans identity with an old shipmate.
The captain looked very serious on the next
morning and for many mornings afterward.-
He began to lose flesh his appetite failed him.
This change observed by all the crew, and
at length the mate spoke of it 10 him.
The captain shook his head mysterious1y at
first but afterward lie confessed that he had
been afflicted by strange dreams or visions
known in her girlhood appeared to him every
night ard upbra;ded him for being the author
of her ruin.
~Mere dreams, captain how can dreams have
such an effect.
"Oh don't call Il a dream % cried the other.
" Ny eyes are wide open, and there she stands
before Ine-the same woman risen ont of her
grave. 1t IS thus she comes She talks of
scenes known only to her and me, ard what is
more she says that after she has tormented me
awhile. in this way, she viii have my hearts
blood"
4 would think nothing of it, sir. It's all
fancy, you may depend"
The captain went below shaking his head
sadly. At about one o'clock that night the man
at the wheel heard deep groan in the cabin.
under his feet, and mentioned it TO the second
mate, who was walking tie deck. The officer
went below and loud cry was heard. The Of