The Red Cloud chief., 1875-02-17

Then. turning to the FIRST mate, who
had come sft, he told him Of what had
occurred, and, as the Oran vas lying
to again, went below"
The next morning the wind shifted
and came Gair, and also decreased to 4
moderate gale, % that We we're cna-
bled TO make sail and run along finely.
Rot came on deck during the uoru-
ing. and resumed his duties bu,
though be did not seem to, | noticed
that the captain kept . sharp watch
on his movements.
Rob Vas very still. The sorrow that
bad come to him seemed to lie heavily
upon his soul. and his face vss wan
and haggard. He looked bent and
old, ever though but a few hours had
passed since l saw him. Had l no,
known that it Was he, l should have
passed him by rs a stranger.
He did not speak to me that day,
save to give orders; and as could
| only revert to scenes that would recall
his sorrow, or the cause Gift, l did not
seek to enter into conversation.
When night came and it vas my
turn at the wheel, he stood near it Is
| relieved the msn who had been
steering, and when We were alone,
said:
did I not tell son, Harry, that my
presentments always came true?'
"Yes, yes" l answered; but !
would not think Of this now
"How can l help thinking Of it?'
he asked bitterly; ''bow eau forget
all that has taken place during the last
few hours? But it is not over yet,
Harry, for l shall go to her soou."
l looked at him, a mingled horror
and wonder in my glance.
He smiled sadly.
mo, no, | shall never attempt that
again, l was mad then. But, Harry,
| feel that | shall soon join her, aud
this is the happiest thought that ]
have, for life is nothing without he,
love to bless it."
He went on talking about her, and
his voice grew strong and musical, a:
of old, and l was hoping that his mind
Aould grow calm aud resigned, FROM
this talk.
The breeze was strong but fair, the
night clear and mooulit, aud the sea,
though still running high was not SO
bad as in the morning. W. stood
alking during the remainder of,the
watch, aud | thought his language
more like what Rob used to talk, aud
grew hopeful accordingly.
Just before eight bells Rob went
around the deck to see that all wa.
right, and then came aft again. Cast
ing his eyes up aloft, something
though what will never he known or
earth, seemed to be out Of order, and,
to get a clearer view Of it, he Jumped
upon the %taffrail, supporting himself
with the fore-to gallant brace-s piece
of rigging that we had drove of new
when leaving port.
As he leaned outboard to get a clear.
er view. the brace parted about
fathom above bis grasp; and, though
he strove hard to grasp something. he
could not, but fell backward into the
sea.
saw his face as it drifted swiftly
by, and it was calm, and seemed full
Of joyous light.
To bring the brig to, or get our boat
were things that could not be done il
time to a Y Rob, and so Ne we're fore
ed to leave him to his fate. l watched
him as long as it was possible, and, in
deed, was compelled to do SO. for ont
Of the strangest reasons in the world.
Directly above him. floating a.
though upborne by divine power,
appeared the fo: IN of a woman /; and
when this form turned its face toward
the Gran, We recognized the feature:
and looks Of Miss Nettie.
1t was truly her spirit or ghost tina,
VIC saw more beautiful aud radian,
than she had ever appeared 10 life, fol
it seemed that she had seen the glory
Of heaven, and been given Of its radi-
ance; and when | saw her resemblance
| knew why kob's face had worn such
a bright look.
Truly he was going to her; and 81
both ofhis presentments came true.
Why the rope came to part US, and
ever will be, a mystery; but that whole
voyage home in the Gran was mys.
terry; and it is because it forces il:
memory on me whenever l begin tc
talk, that | never spin yarns now.
Somehow the face Of Mss Netiie vii
appear, and l live Over again thai
week of storm and death ; and thus !
dent tell Of my old life, for to do 50,
| have to tell how We lost Miss Nettie,
and how her ghos. or spirit welcomed
Rob Ardenburg to the other world
and this brings ~ thoughts that pug
zle my brain, so l don't talk of /,
often.
This was the only yarn that Harry
Oldham ever told US. Poor fellow !
| he No~A ma, sd k,u~ -o.~~-.