The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-25

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such subjects, ridiculing in an unassum-
ed manner the foolish supcrstitious OF
the ignorant and tjmid. l could not
think that he was suffering from night
mare, brought on by indigestion, for he
was always exceedingly temperate. He
had not been entertaining that evening,
aud he was in good health. Besides, /
felt sure that he would himself have at
tributed such thing, had it been the
case, TO its true cause and the more 1
thought Of II, the more convinced / be-
came that there must be something of
q serious and practical nature to have
such powerful effect on man pos
sessed Of such o healthy nervous organ
ization.
was not, however, SO much alarmed
as curious. There arose in me deter
mination to solve the mystery-to dis
cover il there was really anything wrong
in the ship, and what Il was. Coniec-
ture on conjecture fitted through my
puzzled brain, all equally wild and un-
reasonable. had no clue to work on
but still / felt burning desire to find
out the meaning Of il. So, briefly tell
ing Lieutenant Jones that the captain
had been talking about the rounds, and
that I thought I had better go over the
vessel again, I started off on my voyage
Of discovery, with corporal and two
lanterns, in quest Of knew not what.
felt rs il on the eve Of some Won
derful discovery, as I began tog go along
the decks, peering with my lantern into
the dark shade between the guns,
through the mems messes, and into
every dark hole or corner largo enough
to conceal a rat but nothing rewarded
my search. A large cat jumped out
from under the muzzle Of n gun, and
startled me once but that was all.
Everything was quiet; only the heavy
breathing OF the watch below disturbed
tho stiffness OF the night between the
decks.
Down I went into the lower depths of
tho ship, thinking to myself that now I
should know what it was. Here or no.
where must be oncealed-what 1
didn't know, but I thought must find
something but no, nothing rewarded
my toll. 1 looked everywhere. 1 turned
over everything, peered into the water
tanks, tried the store.room doors, crept
into dusty recesses that, perhaps, no
one had ever Thought Of trying to get
into before since the shipwas built but
the only result was rs might have been
expected, to send score or two of rats
scampering in alarm over the deck, and
get myself covered all over with dust
and whitewash. So at last l had to give
It up, hot aud tired with my search, and
Just rs wise as when 1 started.
Lieutenant Jones was clearly in bad
temper when returned on deck.
"Where have you been all this timer?
he demanded.
Going the rounds, sit" ] replied.
Mr.. Jones, however, would not be-
lieye had taken SO long toperform this
duty, and made some unpleasant re-
marks about "skulking."
1 was hurrying on deck when, just MS
] reached the top OF the latchway, 1saw
what arrested my footsteps, and rooted
me to the spot in amazement.
The captain had come up tho after
ladder, which was close to his cabin
door, and was advancing quickly for
ward-a bright streak Of moonlight,
from which / was shaded by tho sails,
throwing light as strong almost rs day
over and around him. His coat was
open, as il thrown hurriedly on, his
feet were slippered, hisIcap was pushed
back on his head, exposing to view a
face on which the signs Of horror were
strongly marked, eyes starting forward
and bloodshot, lips apart and quiyering,
and cheeks tho pallor Of which appeared
quite ghastly in tho cold blue moon
light.
He evidently did not observe me-
though I could sec him sufficiently well
to note every detail of his appearance
but, with hurried footsteps, made
straight for the officer Of the watch, who
was standing on the end of the bridge,
with his back turned to him, trying to
make out light that had been report
cd on the weather bow.
"Quick, the carpenter quick u l
heard the captain shout rs came up
the ladder, and his voice was strangely
agitated.
"What can be the matterP One would
think the ship was sinking. She must
have sprung o bad leak in his cabin" l
thought.
"Quick-thc carpenter Send for
him r. he shouted again, catching sight
And sent two men after the two or
three who had already gone in search OF
that officer.
Presently the carpenter came up rath-
or astonislied, as may be supposed, by
such m unusual and hurried summons,
and not little alarmed.
"what is the matter, sirS' he whis-
pered rs he passed me.
"I'm sure l don't know" replied !;
"but make haste. The captains in a
dreadful way about something or 9th
err"
Tho bell struck four times, signifying
that il was two o'clock. The captain
started at tho sound, and again called
for the carpenter.
"ooming, slr, !" replied Mr.. James, as
he sprang on the bridge.
Bring that case on deck," said the
captain.
'tWhat case, sir2" said Mr.. James.
"In the foremost locker, tho starboard
side Of your store.room, is case, mark.
ed .'Ware.room Officer Bring IL on
deck, quick"
There was no disobcying this peremp.
tory order-tlere was no questioning II;
but IL was very odd one to give. What
could the captain want to do with "