The Placer herald., 1857-12-19
The Fearful Messenger
OR THE SAILORS DOOM.

o'eI lHo polll1S SuISeS OF lne main, the WIND
howed with terrific violence and the dark
hues Of night fell drearily around the e" White
tSteed" and her gallant crew. All sail had
been taken in, if we except the foresa, a
close-reeted main topsail, and topmast stay
sail-and these Capt. Richards swore he
would carry, come what might, especially as
there was land somewhere to the leeward of
the ship. The old vessel pitched madlv-
groaned fearfully, as she gulped down great
quantities of salt water; and with a number
Of drunken lurches, tried to pitch the masts
out Of her-swearing that she was sick and
couldn't bear so much sail.
"Its no use, you old she devil" exclaimed
an old tar, "you've got to bear it-there's
no more sail a goin' to be taken in tonight"
OF course its not likely the White Steed
understood what old Jack said although he
has told me since that he believes she did:
certain it is, she at that moment gave vio-
lent lurch which produced sound very
much resembling the words "No, acont,"
and pitched the mantop- galantmast with a
loud crash "clean over the side" A couple
of hands were then sent aloft to clear away
some of the rigging which had got foul; and
this having been DONE the two seamen-one
of whom was our old friend Jack-descend-
&c to the deck. The one who had accom-
panied him was young man by the name
of Soaring. AS the two came forward, old
Jack turned to Soaring and said:
ave are going to have a hard night of it,
Bill"
"Yes," answered Soaring in a husky tone
of voice.
Struck by the strangencss of his voice,
Jack paused abruptly in his walk, and looked
at his shi pmate. At that instant vivid
flash Of lightning Illuminated the deck, and
revealed the face Of the young man livid as
that of corpse.
"What in the duce als you, Soaring" in
qured the old ;ar
"Nothing, nothing-only I've seen 1t
again" answered the young man, gloomly.
"Seen WHAT"
The young sailor answered not; but old
Jack could see that his breath came hard
and thick. The two men now stood side 10y
side near the bulwarls.
"Look'ee here, young man." SAID Jack
taking the hand Of Sealing. which trembled
like leaf, ''you know Eve always been
friend to ye; now, for Gods sake, tell me
what it is that trightens you 500" A dismal
croaking was heard at that instant directly
over the heads.
"My God. hear it, groaned the young
sailor, while his whole frame shook.
"What, that noise? Why, that's only the
raven that has followed the ship ever since
ever since / shipped in her." groaned
the young sailor.
"Wel. yes, believe so, but what of that?"
"Look. look.' suddenly exclaimed Scar
ing suddenly clutching the arm of the old
tar convulsively; there it is, looking right at
me with its great black eyes. Oh, God! do
you see it,"
As the young man spoke vivid flash of
lightning again illuminated the deck, and,
looking in the direction pointed out by the
trembling hand of Soaring, the old sailor
could distinctly see a large black raven sit
ting on the fore yard. As he looked the
bird began to flag its black wings, and set
up most dismal croaking, while it appeared
to fix two coal black eyes upon his COM
panion.
"Yes, see it," said old Jack; ut is the
same bird that has followed us ever since we
left. I've heard Of such things afore, and
never yet knew Of any good to come of it.
Somebody's goin' either to fall overheard,
or to die some way or other-else that bird
wouldn't stick to the ship the way she does
But what's the matter with you?"
Soaring was leaning heavily against the
old tar, while his whole frame shook like an
aspen.
"Come away; come away" he whispered
in husky voice, which was scarcely audible
"l've got something which has preyed upon
my spirits ever since | came to sea. 1t is Il
terrible secret; but know that my end is
approaching, and SO | will tell it to you"
And as he said this, the young sailor started
to go aft, while Jack followed him wonder
ing what he was going to say.
The young man led the way to the round
house, under which he sat down, and then
told Jack to do the same. AS soon as they
were seated, Soaring said:
slack, this is the last night that ever you
and shall be together"
"What makes you say that" inquired the
old tar in some surprise. "Why, Bill, be-
lieve you have lest your senses"
L Oh are mistaken, answered Bearing,
gloomily, "but | have had dream-a terri
bic dream," and the young man shuddered
as he spoke and then continued.
'Listen to me, Jack, while unfold to you
terrible secret-I am murderer; and,
worse than that, the murderer of mytather!"
Jack started back, exclaiming,
Murdered your father'-do you mean
what you say"
at is true" answered Soaring, with ashud-
der my father was an old greyheaded
man. We lived alone, in the West, in a
dark forest Every morning we used to take
our axes, and 60 to work clearing away the
land for all that we cleered would belong
to as. There was an old tree in front Of our
cabin-an old tree of which father was very
fondI wantnl To cLnn il dnMn-ny fai her