The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-02-26
THE HAUNTED SHIP.


shipped in the Norway, for the pas
sage from Cronstadt to Hull, and an
other Englishman, who went by the
name of Jack Hastings, Joined her at
the same time. He and I had lodged
together on shore, and become some
what acquainted before we became
shipmates. He was man of consider
able information, and, from his talk,
had seen his share of the world, but
was not mueh-of q sailor, as I had
already surmised from the cut of his
jib.
We found Capt. Phelps, of the Nor
way. Tartar in the worst sense of the
word and the voyage was anything but
p pleasant one, especially to Hastings.
he had shipped for able seaman's g
wages, and his deficiencies were soon
apparent, especially to a captain who
had hawks eye for the weak points in
a man, that he might come down on
him. As had strong feeling of re-
speet for the young man, I stood his
friend whenever could, by trying to
do more than my own share of duty,
and covering up his shortcomings but
I couldn't always be at hand, of course.
One night, when it was blowing
quite fresh, and was at the wheel, the
captain was up, and had all hands put
ting reefs in the topsails. The men
had lain down on deck, and were man
ming the halyards to hoist away, when
poor Hastings, instead of the reef
tackle, let go the weather foretopsail
brace, and away went the yard fore and
aft. However, by lufing up snartly,
we managed to get it checked in again
without carrying away anything. But
Capt. Phelps, frothing at the mouth,
vowed he would tan the clumsy 1ubber's
I,n& - l.
down like main-tack." He rushed al
Hastings with piece of ratline-stuf
and brought it down once, with ter
rife cut, over his neck and shoulders.
As he raised it again to repeat the
blow, while all hands stood looking on
hushed into silence. voice from aloft
roared ont, Hold your hand
The sound, which was wonderfully
loud and clear, seemed to come down
back aft, 50 as to look up, but could SCI
nothing.
s. Aloft there |" he yelled, in rage
No answer.
es Maintop there
sHalloaI 5" was answered, spitefully
"Come down on deck !"
s'Come mp here, and see how yo'
like it l'
The captains rage was now fearfu
TO DS0O10s
aWho'ae a1eft there? Who is il
Mr.. Raynor2" he demanded of tn
$ Nobody that I know of, SIR" an
swered the officer. 'sThey're all her
in sight"
The men looked from one to another
but the number was correct. The sec
ond mate, without waiting for orders
sprang up a1oft and looked over th
top-rim, then made the circuit of il
looking all round the masthead, an
reported himself alone. The caPtai
dropped his ropes end and went below
his mind in a strange chaos of rage an
fear; and Hastings escaped furthe
beating for that night.
But q few days were sufficient for th
captain to forget his fears, and mysel
was the merit victim of his wrath. H
had ordered me to make lanyard -kno
in the end of an old, tagged rope, to
used for lashing somewhere. did &c
and returned it to him, telling him
had made the best job of it that could
$ Well, if that's your best, said he
ttyou're as much of lubber as you
partner Hastings. I'll dock you bot
to or'nary seaman's pay.
In vain demonstrated, saying tbs
r the rope was too much worn and fagge
to make q neat piece of work.
ssFa0eed, is It? Well, I'll finish
mn over your lnbberly backr
No you won't r. sang out voic
from behind the long-boas.
He rushed round In the direction {
the sound; but there was no one ther'
esWno was that that spoken b
cried eff knew who he was, I'd CT
his heart outI''
.Hai hal would yer" was al
swered dariaiyely-from the main-tol
twas bread daylight, and all coul
ace that there was no one up there.
waa 0TIite AZ much startled and myst
Aed IS my tyrant could possibly be
but the diversion served as good pm,
pose as on the previous occasion, fe
he did not attack me again. Had I
done es1s 80. I meant TO resist, and grapp
with him. If it cost me my life.
That night the captains slumbel
ware disturbed by fierce cry, whie
anneared to come In ct the side-hght
Tfa stateroom, left open for fresh al
THE crv had been heard by the mat
IN fhe nrarter.deck, and by Hasting
a. tha wheel. who conId give no expl
ration az Il. and seemed to share q
astonishme11t and fear, when he rushe
On fIle deck and looked vainly over Il
nnarter "a search of the cause.
From that day he was harassea e 2.
r,arseanted at every turn by an =
TiaibIe presence, which gave hlm
r,eaee Of his life. WhetheS On deck
below. he found no escape from as, g
especiaIly when he began 20 abuse
swear sc any of the ships company, 2
voice Of the hidden champion lnyaslaD
took their part. The ansolsns aane
ses,r, n llss ear On eYeEy suCn oecasae'
sse1aiIsn 70 eozne from oyexhesd.
B,Fk no mueza nnanl lkestasz0nS g.
A,erISlaf 81 iII sdhe f0recaBtle, nor g
Fhe uneatlaly ypice ever address .