The Red Cloud chief., 1875-02-17

Things had been going on strangely
for some time, and the men on for ard
had been predicting that something
was to happen, for . big shark had
followed the ship oil through the gale,
and new gear had parted that had no
strain on.
Bob Hardenburg also seemed to feel
uneasy, for be grew thin and mggard,
a. If something was preying on his
mind. Ben Loan, one Of my watch
mates, noticed this, and spoke to me
about it.
ibid you see the second mates
face 2" he said. one morning after We
had gone below. 1T looked as
though he had seen q ghost"
l had noticed it, and also noticed
that il looked more haggard than
ever, and so, when the midwatch
came, / was not surprised TO have Bob
come afte to the wheel, and open .
conversation.
Harry" said he. do you know
that ] think there is something going
to happen that will cause u both sor-
row."
"You do; why ?" l answered.
Il can't say /; but my m ind is troubl-
ed. Not that ! give any heed to the
talk about tn, shark, or the ropes
parting. or anything like that ; but
there is something on my mind that
lies heavy and cold, as though my soul
was held by a cold hand"
"Oh, that's because the weather is
bad" l said, Il cannot see why we
should fear danger. The Oran is a
staunch craft, and it will take a heavi-
or gale than this to put her in Davy
Jones's locker"
"It's not the vessel at all, its"
He broke off suddenly, and walked
for'ard until he had reached the main.
mast, then turned and came aft aga
in.
"Do you believe 10 presentiments ?"
he asked. stopping by my side.
mo, l can't say that I do. for l
have never had any of mine come true
though I've.had many of both good
and evil intent"
"Well, l do believe in them, for
have had some come true, and they
have gen rally been bad ones"
"And 70 you suppose those that you
now have will come true :"
II do"
The wind was bowling fearfully, but
the Orean was q good sea boat, and
rode the waves like q duck. The
weather was not so dark as it generally
is when nor'east storms are on the
coast, but now and then the cloud.
would bread away and leave patches
of blue sky, star-besprinkled, showing
between their ragged edges. Nov
and then q column of moonlight would
also fall from one Of these riffs, snG
cast a brillisnt radiance on the tossing
waters.
1t was a wild yet strangely beautiful
night, and a mingled feeling Of awt
and fear was mingled in its contempla
ton. The occasional light enabled
US to see how we lay, and the sigh
was not q pleasing one /; for no person
likes to see the huge wave curling
and rushing along, seemingly intenI
on submerging all of the obstacles il
its path.
Still, the Oran was q staunch, trim
vessel, that l knew there was nothing
to fear in the present states Of sea and
weather. l said this to Bob, thinking
that he referred to this, but he SHOOK
his head in the negative.
"It's not the Oran that is in danger
but some one on board"
who is in danger, Mr.. Harden
burg?" questioned a sweet, womaly
voice, hat sounded like music amid
the bowling and whistling of the
wind.
We both turned our heads to NEE,
the questioning look Of Miss Nettie.
She stood waiting for Rob's reply, hel
little form bent slightly to let the bull
wsrk save it from the wild sweed o,
wind.
"Mr. Hardenburg vas talking Of
presentiment,' said l, answering her
"Oh! vas that it p? / suppose you
think it odd that I should be on deck.
Well, it is 80 close below that !
thought, as l could not sleep. l would
come up and get some fresh air."
1T is fresh enough here" said
Rob; ''and 80 you can have all Of
that you wish. But about these pre-.
sentiments. Miss Nettie. ] was tel.
ling Harry that mine, if they were
bad, generally came trus.
Then I hope you have no bad ones
now" she answered merrily.
His face grew very grave and worn
looking, and there was q nervous
movement Of the mouth, that seemed
to tell Of pain, as he strove to conquer
some emotion that struggled within
him. At last he grew calm, though
when he spoke his voice was hoarse
and strange.
II am sorry to say that l have bad
ones, and more SO, because they bode