The Placer herald., 1857-12-19

blood and without uttering groan-l knew
that he was dead. His eyes looked CLASSY,
and the death pallor was on him. took
him up in my arms, and buried him in the
forest No one saw me do the deed.
washed from my hands and clothes the blood,
and then fled from the place; but was fol
lowed-folowed wheresoever | went by the
raven. 1t was a bird belonging to my father,
and one of which he was very fond. He
found pleasure in hearing it croak, and in
feeding it with meat, which he did every day.
This raven followed me like an avenging
sririt-by night and by day. heard its
dismal croakings, and saw its great black
eyes fixed upon me. l would have killed it,
but dark presentiment tells me that the in
stant this bird is killed, thatinstant my doom
is sealed. | fled from my native shores-I
went to sea, thinking it would not follow me
there; but no, was mistaken, that raven has
followed every ship l have ever sailed in,
lowering about the shrouds, the masts, and
the yards and looking at me with those
strange eyes. | feel know that my
fathers spirit is looking through those eyes.
"My God. there it is agan!" suddenly eX-
claimed the murderer, pointing to the mizzen
topsail yard, as a vivid flash Of lightning
showed the form of the bird seated there
Utterng a deep groan, the young sailor re-
maned silent few moments, and then con-
tinued in a hollow voice:
"Jack, my doom will be sealed tomorrow,
for had terrible dream in the last watch
below-I thought that the mate came on
deck with a GUN to kill the raven-l saw him
take aim at the bird, as it sat on the main
yard, and fret fell bleeding to the deck,
writhing in the agonies of death. While
stood watching the bird, thought it turned
into my fathers corpse, looking bloody and
ohastly, the same way as he looked when
killed him in the forest. All at once the
corpse rose from the deck, and advanced
towards me with its CLASSY eyes fixed upon
my countenance. strove to fly, but seem
ed rooted to the spot. 1t continued to adj
vance until close up TO me, and then, laying
an icy hand upon my ARM said, in terrible
voice. Come, come, it is time | awoke
with cold sweat upon my forehead, and OH
horror, as looked up through the forecasle
scuttle, there sat the raven on the foreyard,
with its great eyes tixel upon me, as lay in
my bunk This is all have to say to YOU.
Something tells me that my doom is fixed
either this night or tomorrow God have
mercy on my soul'
Just then it struck four bells, and old Jack
was forced to leave his shipmate, as it was
his turn to take the helm.
Morning dawned upon the White Steed.
The gale had abatel, and the sun was shin
ing brightly upon the waters, which were
still heaving with that long, lazy swell that
generally follows after a heavy gale of wind.
The watch were employed in rigging new
top-galant mast, in place of the one which
had been lost during the night. The mate
was busily engaged in giving orders, when
Captain Richards, who was leaning against
the mizzen mast, suddenly exclaimed to him
as he pointed to the main yard
"Well, there, Mr.. johnson, if there amt
that same internal raven that has followed us
all the way from Rio, sitting on the main
yard. Go get your gun, and have shot at
him.
Mr. johnson instantly sprang to the COM
panion way, and sang out to the steward to
bring him his gun.
Soaring, who was employed in hosting on
rope, suddenly let 90 of it and turned as
excepting old Jack, who stood near him at
the time.
"For Gods sake, Bill" he whispered,
"keep up your spirits; the watch are all won
derng what ails you."
"My doom is sealed, if that bird is shot,"
answered Soaring, in low husky voice."
The mate had now received his gun from
the stewards hands and raised it to his
shoulder.
"Good God! don't shoot that bird!" ex-
claimed Soaring, in agonizing tones, as he
sprang forth and seized the gun by the
barrel.
Get out of the way-let 60 the gum" ex-
claimed the mate getting enraged.
"No, no; you shall not shoot that Bird"
answered Soaring, trying to wrench the gun
from the mate.
"Seize that id FOOL" exclaimed Captain
Richards, turning to other officers.
But before the order could be obeyed,
loud report was heard, and young Soaring
fell bleeding to the deck. In the struggle
the gun had gone off, inflicting a deadly
wound in the temple of the wounded man.
'I-I knew-it was me-Jack-I-"
and with these words upon his lips the young
sailor expired
We will not attempt to describe the steps
which followed Suffice it to say that the
body of the unfortunate man was sewed up
in canvas, and committed to the waters of
the deep.
While the body was being sewed up, the
raven hovered around it, uttering the most
dismal croakings, until the Captain shot it
and threw it overheard.
Old Jack still follows the sea although his
hair is now as white as the waves which he
rides. And often in the wild watches Of the
night, does he relate to his messmates the
fearful story of the raven and the parricide.