Dodge City times., 1878-03-02
Lay down from aloft. Clear away the
small boatin

4
We thought the Mate was quite as
mad as the poor suicide; and so he was
for the moment. BIZ the time we reach
ed the deck he was ready to counter
mand the order. Every thing was hid
den in darkness, the wind and sea fast
increasing; and it was hardly possible,
even then, for the clumsy little boat to
live. The Captain, still unconscious,
was carried below with many mutter-
ed wish that he might never come up
again and bitter were the oaths of ven-
geance, mingled with kind words and
tears, for our departed messmate, that
went round among our wakeful little
circle during that stormy, dismal night.
When the Hull pilot boarded us, As
hours afterward, Capt. Phelps was at
his post, trying to look like himself, but
still pale and trembling. The Mate had
told us that he should have him arrest
ed as soon as we arrived in port. But
think he must have relented and con-
nived at his escape, for he was missing
before the ship was fairly secured. /
don't think he was ever brought to JUS
tice, though l did not wait to see. |
was glad enough to shake the dust of
the Norway off my feet, and to forget,
if possible, the history of the voyage.
But l often found myself, while on
subsequent voyages, puzzling my brain
to account for the strange phenomena
of which l spoke. Five years passed
away and | was none the wiser in that
respect, when found myself in Liver
pool, where l had arrived from a
South American voyage and had been
paid off with fifty pounds-a considera-
BILE sum for me to have in my possession
at one time.
Strolling along the streets at early
evening, ready for any thing in the way
of amusement that might turn up, my
attention was caught by a poster an
nouncing the performance of "Prof.
Holbrook, the unrivaled and world re-
nowned ventriloquist. l had never
seen a performance of that sort; but
after reading the bill resolved to GO l
was just in time when reached the hall
of exhibition, and taking a ticket en-
tered and took seat. thought the
Professors entertainment the most
wonderful thing that had ever seen or
heard. After variety of sounds and
voices had been initiated with marvel |
Gus skill, he informed us that he would |
hold conversation with an imaginary |
person up the chimney. When the re-
sponsive "Ha, hal" came down | was |
startled to such degree as to raise
from my seat. 1t was the same voice,
in precisely the same peculiar tones that |
l had heard so many times from the Nor
ways maintop.
A minute later, tine Professor, having
his part, came forward to the
front of the stage; and, in spite of his
flowing beard and other DISCUSSES, |
one whom l had supposed to
be dead five years before.
slack Hastings!" said |, aloud, for
getting, in my excitment, where l was
''Sit DOWN. "Put him out.n cried
a dozen voices at once
| subsided, of course, but not before
| had received sign of recognition from
the ventriloguist. When the perform
ance was over he beckoned to me, and
in the privacy of his own room grasped
my hand with hearty pressure.
Hastings" l asked, show in the
name of miracle were you saved'"
"Saved! Where?"
"When you jumped overheard raving
mad"
He laughed-his own natural, hearty
laugh; not the unearthly one which he
sent down from chimneys and mast
heads.
81 never jumped overheard, Ashton"
said he; g and never was any more
mad than am at this moment II was
only plan to frighten old Phelps, and
think it succeeded but too we'll If he
mad been tried for his life and | had
hought him in danger, l should have
in court and frightened him
again to save his life. But he could not |
De found, and 1 have never heard of :
lim since. My madness was all sham, :
md the man overheard was only bum /