The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-04-01
THE HAUNTED SHIP.

phaabB6 rom ENJIOubbb15 10 ahull, and
another EnRlishmsn who went by the
name of Jack Hastings, joined her at
the same time He was man of con-
siderable information, and from his
talk had seen his share of the world
but was not much of sailor, as L had
already surmised from the cut of his
iib.
We found Captain Phelps of the
Norway, Tartar in the worst sense Of
the word and the voyage was anything
but pl easant one, especially to Hast
ings. He had shipped for able sea-
mans wages, and his deficiencies were
soon apparent, especially to the cap
tain who had hawks eye for the weak
points in n man, that he might come
down to him. AS had a strong feel
ing of respect for the young man. I
stood his friend whenever I could, by
trying to do more than my own share
of duty and cover up his shortcomings;
but l couldn't always be on hand, of
course. ..s-.,s. ..,..-...,.-..
One light, when it was blowing quite
fresh, and 1 was at the wheel, the
captain was up and all hands putting
reefs in the topsails. The men had
lain down on deck, and were manning
the halyards 90 hoist away, when poor
go the weather fore-topsail brace, and
away went the yard fore and aft.
However, by lufiing up smartly, we
managed to get it checked in again
without carrying away anything. But
Capt. Phelps, frothing at the mouth,
vowed he would tan tho clumsy lub-
ber's hide that did it, and would ride
him down like main-tack" He
rushed al Hastings with q piece of
ratline stuff and brought it down once,
with terrific cut, over his neck and
ShouiuerS. 90 ~ arn 90 waus s-w
Ashe raised Il aloit to repeat the
blow, while all hands stood looking on,
hushed into silence, q voice from aloft
roared out, Hold your hand 1 o. u.
The sound, which was wonderfully
loud clear, seemed to come down out of
the main-tOp. The captain fell back
aft, so as to look up, but could see
nothing. - -A
"Aloft there he yelled in a rage.
No answer. 49,. rI..
Maintop there p -
Halloa Twas answered spitefully.
Come down on deck !" -
-" Come up here, and see how you
like it Z"
The captains rage was now fearful to
who's alofb there? Who is It, MIR.
Raynor?' he demanded of the mate.
Nobody that know OF SIR an
swered the officer. They're all here
sight"
The men looked from one to another,
but the number was correct. The sec
ond mate, without waiting for orders,
sprang up aloft and looked over the
top-rim and made. the circuit of it,
looking all around the masthead. and
reported himself alone. The captain
dropped his ropes end and went below,
his mind inn stranse chaos Of rage and
fear, and Hastihgs escaped further
beating for that night. ,.,., -..
But a few days were sufficient for the
captain 70 forga3 his fears, and myself
was the next victlm of his wrath. He
had ordered me to make lanyard-knOt
in the end of an old tagged rope, to be
used for lashing somewhere. I did,
80 and returned it to him, telling him
1 had made the best job of it that 1
Well, IL that's your best, you're as
much of lubber as your partner, Hast
ings. I'll dock you both to Urinary
seaman's pay" said he. i1AlA
In vain i demonstrated, saying that
the rope was two much worn and tagged
to make q nice piece of work. I
Tagged is lit9 Well, III finish it
up over your lubberly back r. l.t
No you won'tH sang out voice
from behind the long boat.
He rushed round in the direction of
the sound, but there was no one there.
"WhO WAS that that spoks2" he cried.
Z" If knew who it was I'd cut his heart
out I" rs - d l.]l- II N.
"Hal ha would We was answered
derisively-from the main-top, now. =
It was broad daylight, and all could
see that there was no one up there. /
was quite Bs much startled and mysti-s
fed as my tyrant eortld possibly be, but
the diversion served as good a purpose
as on the previous occasion, for he did
not attack me again. Had he done so,
meant to resist, and grapple with him,
If 1t cost me my life. aI
That night the captains slumbeTs
were disturbed by a fierce cry, which
appeared TO come IN at the side-light in
his state room, left open for fresh air.
The cry had been heard by the mate on
the quarter-desk, and by Hastings at
the wheel, who could give no expiana-
ton Of it, and seemed TO share his as
tonishment and fear, when he rushed
on the deck and looked yainly over the
quarter in search of the cause
From that day he vas harassed and
prosecuted at every turn by an invisi- !
bic presence which gave him no peace
of his hfes-uaNhether on deolz or below,
he found no escape from it, and sespe- /
cially when he began 10 abuse any of
the ships company the voice of the
hidden champion invariably took their
part. The insoient laugh that rang in
his ears on every such occasion seemed
TO come from overhead.
But Do manifestations ever troubled
ms in the forecastle, nor did the I'M
earthly voice ever address any one on
board but Capt. Phelps. The most