Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-20

M ISC e LII A NY.
From Owen's Footfa1zs
The Rescue-A True Story of the supernat-
urals
Mr.. Robert Bruce originally descended from
some branch of the Scottish family of that name,
was born in humble circumstances, about the
close of the last century, at Torbay in the south
of England, and there bred up to sea-faring
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 Bruins
wick. On one of her voyages bound westward,
being then some five or six weeks out, and hav-
ing neared the eastern portion of the Banks OF
Newfoundland, the captain and mate had been
on deck at noon, taking an observation of the
sun, after which they both descended to calcu-
late the days work.
The cabin, small one, was Immediately at
the stern of the vessel, and the short stairway
descending to it ran athwart ships. Immediate
ly opposite to this stairway, just beyond q
email square landing, was the mates state-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
state-room. The desk in the state-room was in
the forward part of it, close to the door, that
one sitting at it and looking over his shoulder
could look into the cabin.
The mate, absorbed in his calculations, which
did not result as he had expected, varying con-
siderably from the dead reckoning, had not no.
ticed the captains motions. When he had com
pleted his calculations, he called out withou
looking round, Il make out latitude and longi
tude so and 80. Can that be right? How i:
yourss"
Receiving no reply, he repeated his question,
glanciDg over bis shoulder, and perceiving, as
he thought, the captain busy writing on his slate
Still no answer. Thereupon he rose, and as be
fronted the cabin door, the figure he had mis-
taken for the captain raised its head, and dis
closed to the astOnished mate the features of al
entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward, but as he met that fixed
gaze looking directly at him in grave silence
and became assured that it was no one he had
ever seen before, it was too much for him, and
instead of stopping to question the seeming In
truder, he rushed upon deck, in such evident
alarm, that 1t instantly attracted the captains
attention.
"Why, Mr.. Bruce" said the captain, "wha,
in the world is the matter with yous'
"The matter, sIr2 Who is that at your desk q
mo one that know of"
'But there is Sir; there's stranger there"
"a stranger! Why man, you must be dream
lug. You mast have seen the stewart there, or
the second mate. Who else would venture down
wlthOut orders"
'Bnt sir he was sitting in your arm chair,
fronting the door, writing on your slate, then
he looked up tuil in my lace, and il ever saw
nlvo in rlI
saw him."
"Himl Whom2"
'God knows, sir, don't. / saw man, and
a man had never seen in my life before"
'You must be going crazy, Mr.. Bruce. A
stranger, and we nearly six weeks outl"
81 know, SIT, but then-1 saw him."
'Go down and see what it is"
Bruce hesitated. 81 never was a believer in
ghosts" he said, 'but it the truth must be told
I'D rather not face it alone"
Come, come man. Go down at once, and
don't make fool of yourself before the crew.
II hope you've always found me willing to dc
what's reasonable" replied Bruce, changing col
or, but it it's all the same to you, sir, I'd rather
we should both go down together"
The captain descended the stairs, and the
mate followed him. Nobody in the cabin J.
They examined the state rooms. Not soul te
be found!
"Well, Mr.. Bruce" said the captain, "did
not tell you you had been dreaming2"
"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 again."
'Ah! writing on the slate! Then it should
be there still And the captain took it up.
He exclaimed, there's something, sure enough
Is that your writing, Mr.. Brucea"
The mate took the slate and there in plain
legible characters, stood the words, ''STEER To
THE NoR'wEsT!"
"Have you been trif1ing with me, sir?"
"On my word as man, as a sailor, sir" re
piled Bruce, II know no more of this matter
than you do. l have told you the exact truth.
The captain sat down at his desk, the slate be
fore him, in deep thought. At last, turning the
slate over and pushing it toward Bruce, he said
Write down, Steer to the norwest.'"
The mate complied, and the captain after mar
rowly comparing the two hand writings, said
"Mr. Bruce, 60 and tell the second mate tc
come down here"
He came, and at the captains request, he also
wrote the same words. So did the steward
so, in succession did every man of the crew who
could write at all. But not one of the various
hands resembled, in any degree, the mysterious
writing.
When the crew retired, the captain sat deer
in thought. Gould any one have been slowed
aways at last he said. "The ship must be
searched, and ifI don't find the fellow he must
be good hand at hde-and seek. Order up all
hands,"
Every nook and corner of the vessel. from
stem to stern, was thoroughly searched, and that
with all the eagerness of excited curiosity-for
the report had gone out that stranger had
shown himself OIL board-but not living soul
beyond the crew and officers was found.
Returning TO the cabin after their frnitless
search, "Mr. Bruce" said the captain, ''what do
you make of all this"
Cant tell sir. l saw the man write; goa
see the writing. There must be something
in it,"
"Well, it would seem SO. We have the wind