The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-04-02

ALL tN|lAt NANAt ia ~ - tR"A ~ "@N 1880
That night the captains slumbers We're
disturbed by a fierce cry. which appeared
TO come In al the sidelight in his state
ROOM. left open for fresh air. The cry had
been heard by the mate on the quarter
deck. and by Hastings at the wheel, who
could give no explanation of IL, and seel.-
ed 10 share his establishment n fear,
when he rushed on the deck and looked
yainly over the quarter in search of the
cause.
From that dag he was harassed and per-
secuted at every turn BY an invisible pres
ence which gave him no peace OF his life.
Whether on deck or below, he found no
escape from il. and especially when he be-
gan 20 abuse any of the ships company
the voice of the hidden champion invaria-
bly, took their part. The insolent laugh
that rang ia his ears on every such occa-
sion seemed 10 come from overhead.
But no manifestations ever troubled us
in the forecastle, nor did the mccarthy
voice ever address any one ON board but
Capt. Phelps. The most superstiious
part of the crew would rather have borne
his t~yrannical treatment than have lived
in a haunted skip. while some of US well
coined a firm friend In this unaccountable
spiritual presence. or whatever IL might be.
The captains angry passions were to
some extent checked by il though. now
and then. they broke forth so suddenly
that the object ofhis fury received a blow
before ii could interfere. We had arrived
within a couple of days sail OF the English
coast, when, becoming ~exasperated NJ
some blunder of Hastings, he hurled a be-
laying pin. which struck him in the head.
The poor fellow suddenly capped both
hands TO the spot, with a wild yell. and
rushed into the ~forecastle. The captain.
after having thrown the missile. appeared,
as | thought, surprised at not hearing any
thing, and | noticed him glance n%ervously
aloft. Bat. still hearing nothing. he re-
covered his courage, and ordered MIR. Kay
nor 10 "call that man on deck again."
The mate, getting no answer 10 his call,
went below, and found Hastings delirious.
He reported that he believed the man to
be in a critical condition, and the captain
directed him 10 do whatever he thought
best for his relief. | think Capt. Phelps,
like some other hard cases that | have
sailed with. did not dare TO venture into
the forecastle himself. for fear he might
never get out again alive.
That night il became necessary 10 call
all hands out 10 reef again (: and while We
were OF the yards a thrilling cry arose
from the bows. such as well might have
0Nth ~ ~ tAA "A AAt
was seen by several OF us erect on the rail.
near the fore-swifter, and then a loud
splash wa heard in the water under the
lee.
Mr.. Raynor and the captain, who were
on deck. rushed 10 the side. a hat was seen
for a moment, bobbing up OF the crest of
the sea, and the same dreadful yell of in
sanity was repeated. even more shrill than
before. Captain Phelps echoed the cry,
but family, and fell insensible 10 the deck.
Mr.. Raynor hailed us on the top-sall
yard with a voice like a trumpet-blast-
. Lay down from aloft, Clear away the
small boat"
We thought the mate was quite "a mad
as the poor suicide, and SO he was. for the
moment. by the time We reached the
deck he was ready 10 countermand the
order. Every thing was hidden in dark
ness, the wind and sea fast increasing. and
il was impossible even then for the clumsy
little boat 10 live. The captain. still un-
conscious. was carried below. with many
a muttered wish that he might never come !
up again, and bitter were the oaths of
vengeance mingled with kind words and
tears for our departed mcssmate that went
round u wakeful little circle during the
stormy. dismal night.
When the Hull pilot boarded US. forty
eight hours afterward. Captain Phelps
was at his post trying 10 look like himself.
but still pale and trembling. The mate
told us that he should have him arrested
as soon az we arrived in port. But | think
he must have relented. and connived at
his escape, for he was missing before the
ship vas fairly secured. / don't think he
was ever brought to justice. though did
not wait to see. | was glad enough to
ehaIa fha 1tsor of fhn Nnru.w~ - 40 - Tn.e
and to forget, If possible, the history of
the voyage.
Strolling along the streets at early even |
ing, ready for any thing in the way of
amusement that might turn up, my atten-
ton was caught by a poster announcing
the performance of Prof. Holbrook. the
unrivaled IN world renowned ventrilo-
quist. had never seen q performance OF
that sort, but after reading the Dill | re-
solved to 90. 1 was just in time when |
reached the hall of exhibition, and taking
q ticket / entered and took a seat. II
thought the entertainment the most won
derful / had ever witnessed OF heard.
After a variety Of sounds and voices had
been initiated with marvellous skill, he in
formed us that he would hold a v "a
ton with an ordinary person up the Chin
ney. When the responsive ha ha came
down, l was startled to such a degree as
70 rise from my seat. Ii was the same
voice in precisely the came peculiar tones
that | had heard so many times from the
Norway's main-top.
A minute later, the Professor, having
finished his part, came forward to the !
front of the stage and spite Of his flow
ing beard and other DISCUSSES, / recog-
nized n whom l had supposed to be
dead five years before.
Jack Hastings" said / aloud, forget
ting In my excitement where | was.
"Sit down. Put him out" cried a
dozen voices at once.
subsidized, of course. but not before j
had received n SIGN of recoOuiron from