The Placer herald., 1860-04-07
THE RESCUE.
A True Story of the Supernatural.
From Owens "FootfalTs.1

ces, about the close Of the last century, at
Torbay, in the south of England, and there
bred up to a seafarng life.
When about thirty years of age, to.wit:
in the year 1928, he was first mate of bark
trading between Liverpool and St. Johns,
New Brunswick.
On one of her voyages, bound westward,
being then some five or six weeks out, and
having neared the eastern portion of the
banks of New Foundland, the Captain and
mate had been on deck at noon taking an
observation of the sun, after which they both
descended to calculate the days work
The cabin, small one, was immediately
at the stern Of the vessel, and the sh )rt stair
way descending to it ran a,hwart ships. I'm
medately opposite to this stairway, Just be.
yond small square building, was the mates
room; and from that landing there were two
doors close to each other, the one opening
aft into the cabin, the other fronting the
stairway into the stateroom. The desk in
the stateroom was in the forward part Of it,
close to the door, so that one sitting at it
and looking over his shoulder, could look in.
to the cabin.
The mate absorbed in his calculations.
which did not result as he expected, varying
considerably from the dead reckoning, had
not noticed the Captains motions. When
he had completed his calculations, he called
out without looking round, Il make our Iat-
tude and longitude so and so. Can that be
right? How is yours''
Receiving no reply, he repeated his ques-
ton, glancing over bis shoulder, and perceiv,
ing, as he thought the captain busy writing
on his slate. Still no answer. Thereupon
he rose, and, as he fronted the cabin door, the
fiaure he had mistaken for the captain, raised
its head, and disclosed to the astonished
mate, the features of an entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward; but as he met that
fixed gaze looking directly at him in grave
silence, and was assured that he was no one
whom he had ever seen before, it was too
much for him; and instead of stopping to
question the seeming intruder, he rushed
upon the deck in such evident alarm that it
instantly attracted the captains attention.
why, Mr.. Bruce said the latter, what in
the world is the matter with youH
The matter, sir? Who is that at your
desk?'
No one that know Of
But there is, sir; there's stranger there
"A stranger. Why, man You must be
dreaming. You must have seen the steward
there, or the second mate. Who else would
venture down without orders?'
But, sir, he was sitting in your arm chair,
fronting the door, writing on your slate.--
Then he looked up full in my face; and, if
ever | saw a man plainly and distinctly in
this world, saw him.
Him. Whom?
God knows, sir; | don't. | saw man,
and man | had never seen in my life before
You must be going crazy, Mr.. Bruce. A
stranger, and we nearly six weeks OUT
4 know, sir; but then saw him"
60 down aud see who it s.'
Bruce hesitated. | never was a believer
in ghosts he said, but if the truth must be
told, sir, I'd rather not face it alone
Come, come, man. Go down at once,
and don't make fool of yourself before the
crew.
L hope you've always found me willing to
do what's reasonable Bruce replied chang
ing color; but fits all the same to you, sir,
I'd rather we should boil, 90 down together
The ca tain descended the stairs, and the
mate followed him. Nobody in the cabin.
They examined the state Not soul
to be found.
We'll, Mr.. Bruce said the captain, did not
tell you you had been dreaming"
It's all very well to say so, sir; but if
didn't see that man writing on your slate,
may never see my home and family again
'Ah writing on the slate! Then it should
be there still And the captain took it up.
by God! he exclaimed, here's something
sure enough Is that your writing Mr..
Bruce?'
The mate took the slate, and there in plain
legible characters, stood the words, Steer to
the Norwest'
Have you been trihing with me, sir?' ad
ded the captain, in stern manner.
'On my word as man, and sailor sir, re-
piled Bruce, | know no more of this matter
than you do. | have told you the exact
truth
The captain sat down at his DESK the slate
before him in deep thought. At last turning
the slate over and pushing it towards Bruce,
he said.
Write down, Steer to the northwest
The mate complied, and the captain, after
narrowly comparing the two hand writings,
said, Mr.. Bruce, 90 and tell the second mate
to come down here
He came, and at the captains request, he
also wrote the same words. SO did the stew
ard. So, in succession, did every man of the
crew who could write at all. But not one
of the various hands resembled in any de-
gree the mysterious writing.
When the crew returned, the captain sat
in deep thought. Gould any one have b"en
slowed away!' at last, he said: 'Ihe ship
must be searched; and if | don't find the