Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1875-04-07

in his ears on every such occasion
seemed TO come from overhead.
But no manifestations did ever
trouble as In The forecastle, nor did
the nhearthly toice ever address
any one on board but Capt. Phelps
The most superstitious part of our
crew would rather have borne bis
tyranical treatmeant than to have
lived in haunted ship, while some
of US welcomed q firm friend in
his unacountab!e spiritual presence
or whatever it might be.
The captains angry passions
were to some extent checked by it !;
though, now and then they broke
forth SO suddenly that the object
of his fury received a blow before
it could interfere. We had arrived
within couple of days sail of the
English coast, when becoming e5-
aspera.ed at some blunder of Hast
ing's he hurled a beiating-pin,
which struck him in the head
The poor fellow suddenly clapped
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 anything,
and l noticed him glance nervously
aloft. But, still hearing nothing,
he recovered his courage, and or
dered Mr.. Rayner to "call that
man on deck again"
The mate getting an answer to
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 to do whatever he
thought best for his relief. I think
Captain Phelps, like some other
hard cases that / hare sailed with,
did not dare to venture in the fore
castle himself, for fear he might
never come ont again alive.
That night it becattie necessary
TO cali all hands out to reef again
and while we were on the yards, O
thrilling cry arose from the bows,
such as we'll might have been rails
ed by n maniac. A human form
was seen by several of rs erect on
the rail, near the fore-swifter, and
then a loud splash was heard on
the water under the lee.
Mr. Baynor and the captain, who
we're on deck, rushed to the side,
hat was seen for a moment, bob
bing the crest of the sea, and the
same dreadful yell of insanity was
repeated, even more shrill than be-
fore. Captain Phelps echoed the
cry, but family, and fell insensible
on the deck.
Mr.. Raynor hailed US on the top
sail yard with a voice like a trum.
pet-blast-"La down from aloft |.
Clear away the small boatp
We thought the mate was quite
as mad as the poor suicide, and so
he was, for the moment. BY the
time we reached the deck he was
ready to countermand the order.
Everything was hidden in darkness
the Wind and sea fast increasing,
and it was impossible even then
for the clurhsy little boat to live.
The captain, still unconscious, was
carried below, with many a nuttef-
ed wish that he might never come
up again; and bitter #ere the 5aths
of vengence mingled with kind
words and tears for our departed
messmate that went around our
wakeful little circle during the
"
stormy dismal night.
When the Hull pilot boarded us
forty.eight hours afterward, Cap-
tain Phelps was at his post trying
to look like himself, but still pale
and trembling. The mate told us
that he should have him arrested
as soon rs We arrived in port. But
I thiik he must have relented,
and connived at his escape, for he
was missing before the ship was
fairly secured. fdon't think he.
was ever brought 70 justice, though
I did not wait to see. / was glad
enough to shake the dust Of the
Norway off my feet, and 10 forget
if possible, the history of the voy-l
age. nhf iri '1'i3laf' Aaf inari
Strolling along the street at early
evening, ready for anything in the
way Of amusement that might turn