The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-02-15

| scarcely nad the lieutenant spoken
these words, when the bell was again
heard distinctly sounding eight loud, clear
strokes.
BY heavens' exclaimed the exaspera-
ted officer, this is too much. This is rank
mutiny; whoever the raScs.. .,., IN make
an example of him.
He haStened forward as he spoke, and
repeated his former question, in angry
tones.
A group Of sailors were assembled in
the vicinity Of the bell, bnt none Of them
were very near it. All were gazing upon
it, or up in the air, or over the bows of the
vessel, with countenances expressive of
mingled wonder and alarm, They made
no reply, and once again the officer re-
peated his question.
Some on us, sir-none, on US struck the
! oen arter OIr. i1ar0y.
DO you dare tell me such a barefaced
falschood? DO YOU mean to say that
eight bells were not distinctly struck,
three distinct limcs!'
4 thought heard it, sir; so did my
shipmates here; but 'twarnt nobody in
deed aboard struck the bell, arter Mr..
Hardy; and | take it how as 'twarnt our
beW as struck .
I'm not to 6e put off this way replied
the lieutenant There's no vessel near
us; there is nobody on the island; and
distinctly heard the brl-thiS bell-struck
three times. The matter shall he inveSti-
gated thoroughly. and the offender severe
ly punished
I tDl.o... II aid Of tha
was standing here where be now, and
thought as how the bell sounded up in the
air.
4 was on the folk sell, said another,
'Lnd to me il sounded as it the sound came
from over the bows
''rwarnt no mortal hand struck that
ere bell, your homer, said an old boat
swain'S mate, Solcmnly. TWAS struck
by invisible spirits, and it tokens SOtne'at.
Once, many years ago, on board the old
Boadicca, heard bell strike Just the
same way, and before week the yellow
fever broke out on board, and we lost
half the officers and crew.
| Stuff and nons' nSc! exclaimed the
lieutenant, half doubtful, yet unwilling to
give in to superstition. wen see in the
morning if this invisible spirit can't be
found, and it'll prove the worse for him
for his obstinacy.'
lie returned to the quarterback, where
he met the captain, just come up from
the cabin.
Mr.. Faulkner said the latter, what
is the meaning Of this? heard eight
bells struck twice, if not thrice
Three times, distinctly, sir, the lieu
tenant replied.
Indeed! Strangc There was no
vessel within miles Of us at dusk, and
none could have come up near enough for
us to hear her bell, with this light breeze.
There is no vessel near, sir
How do you mean? Who dared re-
peat the strokes on the ships bell =
That, sir, is what cannot find out.
The men all positively deny having done
so, and yet they all say they heard the
strokes
Send the whole watch aft, SIR said
the captain.
The hands came aft in body, the
boatSwan at their head.
Ny men, said the captain, 'some one
OF you has committed breach of diSci
pline by striking the bell without orders.
Whoever has done so must be punished !;
but if he will confess, the punishment
shall be light. Otherwise, if find out
the guilty person, | will punish him Sc
verey. If | fail in doing so-if you all
continue obstinate, for some Of you must
know who did it-I will stop your grog
for week.
The men made no reply.
You will not answer continued the
captain. Mr.. Faulkner, see that the
whole watch have their allowance of grog
stopped for week
Please your honor, it's very hard,
said the old quartermaster who had spo.
ken to the lieutenant previously. It's
very hard on us as we should suffer for
invisible spirits. I'll take my davy, yer
honor, as twas no mortal hand as struck
that bell.
Forward, all Of you,' said the captain.
Do you think Ill pay attention to such
nonsense? Away with your.
1t is very strange, Mr.. Faulkner con-
tinued the captain when the men had
gone forward. odd jackson is an honest
old fellow, and he spoke in earnest. Pos
sibly there may be some vessel near. We
shall See in the morning
The night was clear and calm, and the
full tropic moon shed light softer but
almost as light as day The shores OF
the island and their shadows were reflect
ed, inverted, in the smooth water. 4
light breeze waited perfume from the
land, and the scene from the quarter
deck was eXquiSitcly calm and beautiful.
'lt is a shame to sleep on such night,
said the captain.
The third lieutenant had come on deck
to relieve the second, but both the officer
and the captain remained chatting togeth-
er, in reference to the sound of the bell,
which called up several "reminiscences OF
strange and mysterious adventures at sea.
\ good many Of the watch also chose tn
remain on deck, and settled themselves
down near the gun carriage to sleep,
though for an hour they remained awake,
relating, like their SupcriOrS, tales OF myS'
terious occurrences they had heard of or
met with during their lone adventurous
career.
One O'clock said the captain. 4 be.
neVe Snall 20 oeloW anu TURN III. we u
get under weigh at daybreak, Mr.. Allen,
Come, Faulkner, let us have glass o
brandy and water together before we turn
in
Strike the bell two!' sung out the Of
ficer Of the watch, as the captain and first
lieutenant descended into the cabin.
The Gang of the bell reSounded through
out the ship, telling that one hour of the
watch had passed away; but before agair
the sound had ceased to vibrate two bells
was distinctly repeated, apparently from
the ships bell, as before. The captain
and second lieutenant returned to thu
deck.
what under heaven can this mean !?
cried the captain.
who dared to strike that bell again !?
sung out the third lieutenant, Allen.
The boatswain's mate replied