The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-02-13

"Johnstone WAS back ct duty before "
crossed the bar, and oil went first rate on tn
ways we'll Leaving New York next vOyag
the old man and I determined to watch hin
at the haunted spot, and cure him, if possible
of his hallucination. We were on deck tn,
first watch, from to IL, and intended not K
make it eight bells until o'clock, when ",
would be ten miles beyond Indian River
We watched the clock arxiousIy, and five
minutes past midnight were coneratulatine
ourselves that the crisis was past, when John
stone rushed on deck nearly naked. He
started to telegraph handle placed aft, and
pulling fiercely on the engine bell, gave the
signal to stop her, shouting wildly Man
overheard! Man overheard! + He ran round
the ship eluding every effort to secure him,
and at Last fell down through sheer exhaus-
ton and was carried to his room insensible.
"The matter was getting serious, and the
old man this time promised that he would
take care Of him when We got to New Orleans,
but we had scarcely gotten up to Tortugas,
until he was about apparently as sane as ever,
and the captains good nature overcsme his
Judgment.
"Back to New York and down to Hatteras,
returning, nothing new. Sill keeping John
stone, and still dreading him, the old man
shaped his course for the Bahamas, this time
going to the eastward of the stream, and over
one hundred miles away from Indian Kiver
But it was no use-exactly in longitude a. TO-
and in broad daylight, we had the same
trouble with him again, the same recovery
afterwards, and the same relenting of the
cap ain at New Orleans and New York. .
"The thing was becoming harassing, my
mind was giving way under the pressure, and
| went to the old mans room the day we were
to sail from New York, and stoutly averred,
fat-footed, that would not 20 on the ship if
tombstone was on board.
"The captain was surprised and annoyed,
aud ans wered All right we can do without
you; but as l was turning to go away, he
said, Look here, Belts, this thing is wearing
my life out as well as yours Let us, Tor his
wife and these poor children, give him one
more chance. I believe he knows we have
been watching him. He knows we have been
trying at that internal place to humbug him,
as he thinks. Let everything go on as usual
this trip, and If he kicks up any didos, by
Godfrey, he goes to New Orleans in irons
We had splendid slant to Hatteras, two
hours ahead of our quickest run, and on the
first day watch on Wednesday were forty
mil from Indian River, and at the rate we
were going we would be abreast Of it about
four bells.
"Johnstone had the first watch. The captain
was in his room, but ready for any emergency.
did not turn in, but seated myself on the
edge of my bunk, awaiting the result and also
ready. tombstone had full charge Of the ship.
had my watch in my hand, noting the time,
and feeling little nervous, when the engines
suddenly stopped. was on deck in two Sec
onds. The captain was there before me.
"Clear away the boats Overheard with
your life-buoys! Bear hand, my lads!
"Johnstone gave these orders as earnestlyas
my officer could give them, and as coolly as
+ he was in his right mind.
Hold hard everything, there shouted
he captain. Belts, tell the engineers to 60
head. What's the matter, Johnstone?'
"Don't you see him ? There, there!' point
ng right to the inlet. DO you not hear
"Who do you refer to?' the captain man.
'ged to edge in between his rawlings.
"sWho? Kennedy There, there /" he |
'ried, pointing with his finger and running
1T. Pass me line Pass me a line, here |
can save him yet =
"Hs was now standing on the taffrail, shout |
ng "A line, o ine,' and in q moment he |!
made clear spring out overheard into the |
Vater. The engines were stopped and re- |
'ersed in minute. The boats were low |
red and we searched for an hour, but John |
tone was never seen again.
"Now," continued the mate care you sur
'rised that asked you what sound you heard |
# Indian River"
We did not answer, and for long time
70 pondered, falling off into that dreamy
tate again, when we heard strong. fine
dice shouting, swatch there, Watch /"
"That's Kennedy" said Mr.. Belts.
"Who," We whispered
Il said Kennedy"
"Did you not tell me he fell overheard and
as drowned?"
"Overboard, yes; drowned, no."
"He was picked up bya wrecker, and lived
18th them for months, coming on board last
lip at New York alive and we'll, and soaring
ls old man and I out OF our senses"
"Good night, or morning, rather"
8 Coo1 MI xus11 Ia