The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-08-29
"I know, sir but then l saw him.

IN ghosts, +" he said, "but II the truth must
be told sir, I'd rather not face it alone"
"Come, come, man, go down at once land
don't make fool of yourself before the
crew."
81 hope you have always found me will
ling to do what's reasonable" Bruce replied,
changing color; shut if it's all the same 10
you sir, l'd rather we should both go down
together"
The captain descended the stairs, and
the mate followed. Nobody in the cabin !
They examined the s.a,e-rooms. Not a
soul to be found
"tWell, Mr.. Bruce" said the captain, did
not tell you, you had been dreaming 2"
''It's all very well TO say SO, sir, but if |
didn't see that man writing on your slate,
may never see my house and family
again %
"Ah writing on the slate ! Then it
should be there STILL" And the captain
took it up.
"By-," he exclaimed, "here's some.
thing, sure enough Is that your writing,
Mr.. Bruce 2'
The mate took the slate and there in
plain, legible characters, stood the words,
''Stser 10 the nor iOest."
Shave you been trihing with me, sir 2"
added the captain in stern manner.
Son my word as man and sailor
sir" replied Rruce; 'I 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, in deep thought. At last turn
ing the slate over, and pushing it towards
Bruce, he said, "Wrile down, Steer to the
| nor west
The mate complied and the captain, af-
ter narrowly comparing the TWO handwri-
tings, said "Mr. Bruce, go and tell the Sec
ond mate to 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
deep in thought. "Could any one have
been slowed away !'' at last he said, "The
| ship must be searched; and if don't find
the fellow, he mast be good hand at hide
and seek Order up all hands"
| Every nook and corner of the vessel from
stem to stern, was thoroughly searched ,and
that with all eagerness OF excited curiosity
for the report had gone out mat astranger
had shown himself on beard but not liv-
ing soul, beyond the crew and officers, was
Iound.
Returning 10 the cabin, after their fruit
less search, "Mr. Bruce" said the captain,
'swhat the devil do you make of all this 2"
"Can't tell, sir. | saw the man write !;
you see the writing. There must be some
thing in it."
wind free, and have a great mind to keep
her away, and see what will come of it.
ri surely would, sir, if | were III your
place. It's only few hours lost at The
worst"
tWell, we'll see. Go on deck and give
the course nor west. And, Mr.. Bruce" he
added, as the mate rose 10 go, shave look
out aloft, and let it be hand you can de-
, pend on"
His orders were obeved. About three
O'Clock, the lookout reported an iceberg
nearly ahead, and shortly after, what he
thought was vessel OF some kind close to
it. AS they approached the captains glass
disclosed the fact, that t was disman,led
ship, apparently frozen TO the ice, and with
a good many human beings on it. Shortly
after they hove to, and sent out boats to the
relief ot the sufferers.
1t proved to be vessel from Quebec,
bound 10 Liverpool, with passengers on
board. She had got entangled in the ice,
and finally frozen fast, and had passed sew
| eral weeks in most critical condition.
She was stove, her decks swept-in fact, a
mere wreck al! her provisions and almost
all her water gone. Her crew and passen-
gers had lost all hopes of being saved. and
their gratitude for the unexpected rescue
was proportionately great.
/ AS one of the men who had been brought
away in the third boat that had reached the
wreck was ascending the ships side, the
male, catching glimpse Of his face started
back ia CONSERVATION. II was the very face
he had seen :hree or four hours before,
looking up at him from the captains desk.
At first he tried to persuade himself it
might be fancy bu: the more he examined
the man, the more sure he became that he
was right. Not only the face but the per-
son and the dress exactly corresponded.
As soon as the exhausted crew and .am-
ished passengers were cared for. and the
barque on her co urse again, the mate called
the captain aside. alt seems that was not
a ghost saw today, sir /; the mans alive!"
"What do you mean Who's alive %