Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-08-31

parent Inconvenience. The captain kept
his opinion to himself; the mates said
there was something mysterious and start
ling in the whole affair; they did not like
the looks Of it; but the men were one and
all convinced that the stranger was neither
more nor less than the Flying Dutchman,
sometimes seen off the cape OF Good Hope
in stormy weather, and always carrying
sail hardest when the wind blows the stron-
gest.
The rage Of the tempest increased. 1t
seemed as if no canvass was strong enough
to resist its fury; and while the erew, in-
undated with the spray which fell in eata-
racts on the decks worked away at tie
pumps, expecting every moment orders to
take in sail and lay the ship to under bare
poles, or hoping that the canvass would be
/ blown out of the bolt rope, the men on
board the strange ship, as if in defiance of
the storm, actually loosed and set the top
gallant sail and while coming up with the
Floribel hand over hand, being now direct
ly in her wake, and upright and stiff as a
meeting house of the old Puritan stamp,
hoisted Dutch colors at her mizze1 peak
ut is the Flying Dutchman, as sure as
there are alligators in the Mississippi - ex-
claimed an old salt named Bob Waterhouse.
And at the same moment the sea fell and
the hurricane seemed Whitfield down to
gentle breeze, which moaned in a manner
singularly wild and musical as it swept
through the rigging The clouds however
did not disperse. On the contrary the
heavens grew darker, and the clouds, rag
ged and double headed, gathered around
and hung like funeral pail over the ship.
As the strange vessel was luffing up on
our weather quarter 10 Hansford, a green
hand, addressing Bob Waterhouse, asked
in trembling voice, "What is the FLYING
Dutchman Bob 2"
why" replied that experienced sailor,
''the Flying DutcLman is a Dutch East
Indiaman, which, more than hundred
years ago, perhaps two hundred, was con-
demned to beat to windward off the Cane
of Good Hope, until doomsday as punish
ment for reckless bravado and blasphemous
language on the part of her commander :"
AYE" added Jim Alleuwood land
ever since that time the captain is always
|
order to put letter on board But if the
letter should be received, woe to the ship
and the whole ships company ! She would
founder in the first gale, perhaps in light
wind and smooth sea, and go to the bot
tom with all hands -
'sBut how is that known 2" inquired Joe
Hansford. ''If all hands 90 to the bottom
with the ship, who is there left to explain
the cause of the terrible calamity"
''That is one of the mysteries of the
sea, replied Jim, tartly '.when you have
sailed on salt water as long as [ have my
boy, you'll meet with things far more won
derful than that -
The Dutch ship was of large proportions,
being some ten or twelve hundred tons bur-
then. She was of clumsy model, with a
topgallant forecastle, high poop, and
quarter galleries. Her boWspriU steeyed
beyond all reasonable proportions, being at
an angle of forty five degrees with the keel.
thus enabling her to carry sprit-sail top
sail. Her sails were dark and mould look
ing abounding in rents and patches her
sides were rusty, as if the paint was used
up, and her bottom was covered with grass,
barnacles and branch-bllls as long as my
arm ea.
And the crew who managed this old-fash-
ioned Dutch East Indaman we're a queer
looking set of fellows with their broad
cheeks, brown boards, pctticoat trowsers,
coarse monkey jackets, and red and blue
cloths caps. They really looked as if they
belonged to former age, as undoubtedly
they did,
Captain Fanwick stared wonderingly up
on the ship as she came up alongside to
windward, and marked the peculiar model
and rig He looked serious. and although
a man of undoubted courage and daring on
ordinary occasions, his blanched cheeks and
restless movements showed that he was
deeply agitated, if not terrified, by this
strange spectral apparition off the Cape of
Good Hope Turning abruptly to tie chief
mate, he said ''Mr. Dobbs, l always be-
lieved the stories about the Flying Dutch
man were all Cannon, but now know the
contrary. I'll believe anything after this
mermaids, sea serpents krakens, and all
But what do you think the old storm bleach
ed selvage wants with US? No good III be
bound. -..-...
"Most likely he wants US to take let
ter to his family replied the mate.
"What! does he take US for mail pack
ct or the flying post I'll have nothing to
do with bis letters. Besides his whole
family has. been dead and gone for cen
tury and half at least p ~. ..z...
''Well, said Mr.. Dobbs, 'swe shall soon
see what he wants. We are already with
in hail, ard hard-looking old fellow stands
there in the quarter galley with huge
speaking trumpet in his hand - .--.-.
And sure enough, the Dutch skipper put
the trumpet to his mouth and sound like
cross between muf1ed drum and a boat
swain S call came over the water, and on
It's way arranged itself into these words,
He, the ship ahoy!'
Halo y shouted Captain Fanwick.
"Heave to, I want to put letter on
board -
The old story" !" said the Captain, ad-
dressing his officers. Then hailing the big
ship through his speaking trumpet, he ez-
claimed Il cant stop now, I'm in a hur-
ry p
$50 they all say.' replied the ancient
Hollander in broken Eugllsh and a queru-
lous tone. IF you are mana Christian
man you will take letter home to mine