The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-10-05
The Haunted Hold.

n
Far and near the great seas, family gleam-
ing with phosphorescent light, rolled and
crushed together, tossing their foamy crests
on high as if striving to meet the ragged,
tempest driven clouds that shrouded the
vault of heaven.
With drenched garments and shivcling
forms, the watch on board of the North
Light stood upon the quarter deck convers
ing in low tones, and now and then peering
through the darkness to the winward.
All sail had been taken in with the excep.
ton of close reefed maintopsail and top
mast staysail; but the vessel rolled and
broke over her weather rail so often that
the officer of the deck, advancing toward
the group of tars alluded to, now ordered
them to battcn down the matches and put
extra lashings around the boats.
This order being promptly executed, the
men returned to the quarter deck and re-
sumed their conversation, which, however,
was destined to be a second time interrupted
Rising from between decks, strange cry
suddenly broke upon their ears:
'Oh, God! !"
The men started and exchanged chances
of astonishmcnt
Where did that noise come from ?" in.
CURED the officer Of the deck, approaching
g From the main hold, it seemed to me, II
answered one Of the men. And cam
imagine who it was that spoke, seeing as
t'other watch are below, asleep i'll their
hunks"
SAY, ay, it is somethin' Of mystery"
remarked another but p'raps we'll hear
it again.
Accordingly they listened several minutes
for repetition Of the voice, but it was not
again;heard.
1.-TWO or three of you had better 20 into
the hold to make a Search said the officer.
That voice must, of course, have come
from somebody. The groaning OF the tim.
One of the men procured lantern, and
closely followed by two of his shipmates,
descended into the steerage hatch, which
communicated with the hold.
The search, however, proved fruitless.-
Having examined every nook and corner,
the three returned to the deck and reported
40 the officer of the watch.
sit is, certainly, very strange" said the
second mate. ave all heard the voice,
am SIRE
Yes" replied an old sailor, "and
thought perhaps it might have come from
our little monkey OF steerage boy, Tom,
who is always fall of his tricks. But no
yipn of him was to be seen when we made
j
time TO get back into his bunk before we
went into the hold. He's q cunnin' creatur
that little rascal and is mighty fond of m B,
Inqses. I've seen him eat half cup full. +"
Ills being fond of molasses, Jack, has
nothiug to do with the NATTER" said the
second mate, smiling good naturally. eco
down into the steerwge," he added, turning
10 the man who still held the lantern, and
nrestion him sharply. If it was he who
spoke, shall give him good taste Of the
rope end
Accordingly, the man entered the steer.
age, made his way to little Toms bunk, and
pulling aside the curtain, was surprised to
discover that the bed was empty.
lie returned to the deck and commune.
,,,ted the news to his astonished shipmates,
Ill nc whom were at a loss to account for
The disappearance OF the lad.
:. say him go below and turn in, at eight
hol,s.' said one, "whie was in the steer.
,,ra looking for coil of rope"
:. And | m sure he hain't come up SINCE
cd the old sailor who had previously
.,,nten uIf he had, we'd have seen him.
That goes to show that he hasn't fallen over
board ;.
s.The voice we heard must have been his,
then" said the second mate; and snatch
mo the lantern from the hand Of the sailor
who held it, he descended into the hold.
His search, however, was nnrewarded, and
he returned to the deck with an anxious
face.
,s.That boy,'' said he, twas placed under
my charge by his father, who is an old friend
of mine, and it anything has happened to
him, | shall feel very bad about it"
Tiles hiding somewhere, sir, III war
rant you,'' replied the old sailor. =" / cam
for the life of me imagine anything of 6
serious natur' that could have happened te
him while below, except his dy!i,u' from eat
in too much molasses. He'll turn up al
right by breakfast time to. morrow morning
or I'm much mistaken. heard of his hid
ing in this same way one night week ago. y
Gay, ay! perhaps you are right, Jack,
answered the officer, his face frightening
/ trust he'll be on deck early tomorrow
morning"
At that moment the ships hull rounded
and the second mate entered the cabin Il
rouse the officer who was to relieve him
while Jack glided forward and called tn
other watch,