Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-12-28
THE RESCUE.

owen "f ooiia!ls on the Boundary of
Another World :"
Mr.. Robert Bruce, originally descend.
ed from sume branch Of the Scottish fam
ily OF iha, name, was born, in humble cir.
cumstances. about the close OF the last
century, al Tolbay, in the South of Eng
land, and there bred up 10 a seafsring
life.
When about thirty years OF age, 10 wit,
in the year 1928, he was first mate of a
barque trading between Liverpool and St.
Johns, New Brunswick.
On her voyage, bound westward. BEING
some FIVE or six weeks out, ant having
neared the eastern portion of The sanks
OF Newfoundland, the captain and es,e
had been on deck a, noon, taking an Jo-
servaion of the sun; after which the,
lad both descended to calculate the days
work
The cabin "a small one) was immedi-
.tely at The stern OF the vessel, and the
snort stairway descending 10 it ran across
ships. Immediately opposite 10 this
stairway jus, beyond small square land
ing, was The mates state-roon; and from
that landing there we're two doors close
to each other, the one opening a(l into
the state room. The desk in the state
room was in the forward part Of it, close
to the door, go that one sitting at it and
looking over his shoulder could look into
the cabin.
The male. absorbed in his calculations,
which did not result as he had expected,
varying considerably from the dead reck-
oning, had no, noticed The captains mo-
tions. When he had completed his cal
culations he called out without looking
around, Il made Latitude and Longitude
so and so; can tbs. be righ, 7 How is
yours !!
Receiving no reply, he repeated his
question, glancing over his shoulder, and
perceising, as he ,hOug the captain basy
writing on his ssle. Still no answer.
Thereupon he rose, and, as he fronted the
cabin door, the figure he had mistaken for
the captain raised its head and disclosed
to the aslonished mate the festures Of an
entire stranger.
Bruce was no coward; but, as he met
that fixed gaze looking directly al him in
grave silence, and became assured that II
was no one whom lie had ever seen be.
fore, it was too much for him; and instead
Of stopping 10 question the seeming inIru.
der. he rushed upon deck in such evident
alarm that it Instantly attracted the cap
tsin's attention.
why. Mr.. Bruce said the latter,
what in the world 10 the matter with
you |!
The matter cir who's a. your desk 2
No one that | know Of
But there is. sir, a stranger there.
"A stranger why man, you must be
dreaming. You must have seen the stew
ard there, or the second mate. Who else
would venture down without orders :
But, sir, he was sitting in your arm.
chair fronting the door, writing on your
slate. Then he looked up foil in my face;
and if ever saw a man plainly and dis
tinctly in this world, ] saw him.
Him whom 2
God knows, sir, don't. l saw
man, and man never cav in my life
before
You must be going crazy, Mr.. Bruce.
A stranger, and We nearly six weeks
out =
Il don't know, cir, but ther, saw
him
Go down and see who he is
Al L..
lever in ghosts he sad, but if the truth
mus, be told, sir, Id rather not face it
alone
Come, come, man, go down a, once.
and DON, make fool Of yourself before
the crew.
Il hope you have always found me TO
be what's reasonable. Bruce replied,
changing color; but if its all the same 10
you, sir, I'D rather we should 10th 60
down together
The captain descended the stairs and
the mate followed. Nobody in the cabin.
They examined the s,sie.rooms. Not
soul to be found.
well, Mr. Bruce .aid the captain,
'dl0 mol 'elI you yoo nsu oeeh cream
ing
Its all very we'll for you TO say so,
sir; but if ddn't see The man writing on
your slate; may l never see my home
and family again
.Ah, writing on the slate 7 Then it
should be there still And the captain
then took it up.
The captain exclaimed: Here is some
thing. sure enough ! Is that your vii
ting, Mr.. Bruce 2
The man took the slate. and there in
plain legible characters. stood The words
Steer TO the Nor west
Have you been trifing with me,
sir Z asked the captain in stern man.
ner.
.On my word as man and sailor,
sir replied Bruce, know no more OF
the matter 'hanyou do. ! have told you
the exact truth"
The captain sal down al his desk, the
sl,ie before him. in deep thought. Al