Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-01-27
An INTERESTING Gtorp.
THE RESCUE.

Mr.. Robert Bruce, originally descend.
ed from some branch of the Scottish fam
ily of that name, was born, in humble
circumstances, about the close of the last
century, at Torbay, in the south Of Eng
land, and there bred up to a seafaring
life.
When about thirty years of age, to
wit, in the year 1923, he was first mate
to tarque trading between Liverpool
and St. Johns, New Brunswick.
On one Of her voyages bound west
ward, being then some five or six weeks
out, and having neared the eastern por-
ton 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 cal
culate their days work.
The cabin, a small one, was immedi-
ately at the stern of the vessel, and the
short stairway descending to it ran
athwart-ships. Immediately opposite to
this stairway, just beyond small 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, SO that any one
citing at it and looking over his shout
der could see into the cabin.
The mate, absorbed in his calculations,
which did not result as he had expected
varying considerably from the dead
reckoning, had not noticed the captains
motions. When he had completed bis
calculations, he called out, without look
ing round, Il make our latitude and
longitude so and SO. Can that be right
How is yours Z"
Receiving no reply, he repeated his
question, glancing over his shoulder and
perceiving, as he thought, the captain
busy writing on bis slate. Still no an
swer. Thereupon he rose, and, as he
fronted the cabin door, the figure he hac
mistaken for the captain raised his head
and disclosed to the astonished mate tbs
features of an entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward; but, as he me
that fixed gaze looking directly at hin
in grave silence, and became assured
that it was no one whom he had eve
reen before, il was too much for him
and, instead Of stopping to question tn,
seeming intruder, he rushed upon decl
in such evident alarm that it Instant,
attracted the captains attention.
"Why, Mr.. Bruce" said the latter
what in the world is the matter will
your"
"Tbe matter, sir? Who is that a
your desk ?"
No one that | know Of
But there is, sir; there's a stranger
there"
"A strangerl Why, man, you mus
be dreaming You must have seen the
steward there, or the second mate. WhC
else would venture down without or.
ders p
"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 man plainly
and distinctly ia this world, saw him.
Him Whom y
Good 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
out y
II know, sir; but then saw him
I" Gro down and see who il is"
Bruce hesitated. Il mover was be
lever in ghosts" he said "but if iht
truth must be told, sir, ~ rather no
face it alone"
Come, come, man. Go down a
once, and don't make fool of yoursel
before the crew"
:" ] hope you've always found me viii
ling to do what's reasonable" Bruce re
piled. changing color; +" but if its al
the same to you, sir, I'd rather VIC should
both 60 down together
The captain descended the stairs, ant
the mate followed him Nobody in III,
cabin! They examined the state rooms
No. soul 10 be found
Well Nj Bruce said tho captain