Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-04-20

II to Hlm, he quietly arranged the locus,
and, as we all supposed, was about to
point it at Sadler, who was still dancin =
away for dear life all to himself But
he was too smart for that. He quietly
directed his glass to another quarter, to
gain little time, and, gradually sweep
ing the horizon, brought it at last, with
| a tremor of mortal dread, 10 bear dead
upon the ghost Bless my soul how
the old gentleman shook But recov-
ering himself, with big gulp in his
throat he turned to the chaplain and
said
"'Did you read the full service over
him today, Mr.. T-?'
90 did, sir, as we'll as can remem-
ber replied Mr.. Tt.
"'Then, SIR said the Commodore,
turning to Mr.. Bispham and speallin g
in an authoritative tone, we
must send boat and bring him on
board
$50 Lord O Lord bring ghost
on board groaned the men.
"' Silence, fore and aft?' said Mr.
Bispham, and call away the second
CUTTER
i" Away, there, you second cutters,
away 7 sang out the boatswain's mate
But they didn't away one step, and we
youngsters could hear the men growl
ing out, What does the Commodore
want with old Sadler? This isn't his
place; let the old man rip; he is dead
and buried all right. We didn't ship
to 90 cruising after ghosts; we shipped
to reef topsails and work the big guns :;
and if he wants old Sadler on board he
had better 90 after himself. Some said
he had come back after his bag and
hammock, and the best way was to let
him have them, and then he would top
his boom and clear out. Others said
the pursuer had not squared off his ac-
count; and one of the afterguard was
seen to tickle the mainmast and whistle
for a breeze, to give the old fellow Il
wide berth. But it wouldn't do; dis
ciplinc is di-cipline, and after a free use
of the colt and a good deal of hazing,
the boats crew came att, the cutter was
lowered, and the men, with their oars
up and eyes upon the ghost, were wait
ing the order to shove off, the bow oars
man having provided himself with a
boarding pike 10 fend off, as he said,
If the old man should fight.
We youngsters knew that some
body else wits needed in that boat, and
that somebody was mldshipman with
his side-arms but not boy of us said
II word about it, and we were afraid
even to catch the first lieutenant's eye,
lest he should be reminded that no
young officer had, as usual, been or
dered to go; but the order came at
ll hNjf ,rIs Il
lieutenant, 'What officer, sir, shall
send in that boat :? we scattered Ike a
lot of birds, but all too late; for Mr..
Bispham referred the matter to the
Commodore, who, with twinkle in his
eye. said, Who discovered the ghost,
sr?'
"' Midshipman Buckner reported
him, SIR was the reply.
"'Then, said the Commodore, 'by
priority of discovery he belongs to Mr..
Buckner, who will take charge of the
cutter and bring him on board
heard all this from my place be-
yond the mlzzen mast, and you may
guess how glad | was not to have been
selected but a Groan, q chattering of
the teeth, a trembling and shaking of
bones close by my side, caused me to
look around, and there was poor
Buck, with his priority thick upon him.
"'Get your side-arms sig, said Moi.
fit 'take charge Of the cutter, and
early out the Commodores orders
'Ay, ay. sir?' said Buck, but oh,
with what change in his voice! As
he bucllled ON his sword | could see
what a struggle he was making to feel
brave. As he went over the gangway
TO get into the boat | caught his eye,
and if you could have seen that torlorn
look you would have pitied him; for
there was old Sadler turning and turn
ing in the water, looking first this way
and then the other, and. as Buck
thought, just ready to hook on to him
and carry him down among the dead
men.
6 1t is no light matter to go up to n
ghost, front face, full face, and look
aim in the eyes; but what must it be
when you have to go up 10 him back
ward, as that cutters crew had TO do
while pulling their oars. leaving only
Buck and the coXswain to face him :?
They Just couldn't do ii, and at every
stroke they would suddenly slue around
on their thwarts and look at the Old
fellow, who seemed to oe as big as an
elephant, and just ready to clap on to
them, boat and all, as soon as they
turned to give another stroke. Poor
fellows! (! they made but little headway,
and what with catching crabs, fouling
their oars, blasting Sadlers eyes, and
denouncing him generally tone fellow
fairly yelled outright when the bow
oarsman accidentally touched him),
they had hard pull of it; but still
they made some progress, and when
Buck sung o,t, Way enough every
oar flew inboard. every man faced sud
denly around, and with this the cutter
keeled over, and, her bow touching old
Sadler on his shoulder, ducked him out
OF sight for secon I, at which all hands
shouted, thinking that he had gone for
ever; but i'll q moment more, up he
popped, fresh as a lark, higher than
ever before. and this time right abreast
OF the stern-sheets, where he hobbed
and bowed to Buck, at which, with q
yell of terror, all hands went overheard,
and, tiounderi.g in the water, begged
for mercy. The cutter had some little
headway, and this, of course, brought
Sadler asteln on the other quarter, and
then there was Il wild rush to get back
into the boat, for fear the old fellow
was doubling on them to make a rush.
"The Commodore, hearing the row
and fearing disaster, ordered another
boat to the rescue; but ere it reached
the spot, Buck had, in some manner,