The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-03-14
THEHAUNTED SHIP.

shipped IN the Norway for the pas
sage. from Cronstadt to Hull, and an
cher English gentleman, who went by
the name of Jack Hastings, joined her
4 athe same time. He and [ lodged to-
gaher on the shore, and became some
What acquainted before we became ship
mates. He was q man of considerable
niormation. and from his talk, had seen
NJ bis share of the world, but was not much
u Of a sailor, as L had already surmised
rom the cut of his jib.al,e
We found Capt Phelps of the Norway
XsTartar in the worst sense of the word
md the voyage was any thing but a
pleasant one, especially to Hastings.
He had shipped for able seaman's S
wages, and his deficiencies were soon
apparent, especially. to a captain who
bad hawk s eye for the weak points in
man, that he might come down on
him. As | had a strong feeling of res
rct for the. young man, 1 stood his
hiend whenever could, by trying to
% more than ply own share of duty,
nd covering up his shortcomings;
out could not always be at hand, of
course.
One night when 1t was blowing quite
fesh, and was at the wheel, the Cap
ain was up, and had all hands putting
sefs in the topsails. The men had lain
aoWn on deck, and were manning the
Myards to hoist away, when poor Has
ags, instead of the reef-tackle, let go
III weather foretopsail brace, and away
sslt the yard fore and aft. However,
olufiing up shaartly, we managed to get
fehecked in again, without carrying
any any thing But Capt. Phelps,
Mhing at the mouth, vowed he would
hl the clumsy lubber's hide that did it,
M would ride HIM down like main
aG = He rushed at Hastings with
pee OF ratline. stuff, and brought it
aosn once, with a terrific cut, over his
neck and shoulders.
As ne raised it again to repeat the
NOW, while all hands stood looking on,
ashed into silence, voice from aloft
barred out:
Hold your handin
The sound, which was wonderfully
00d and clear, seemed to come down
" OF the maintop. The Captain fell
~. aek ait, SO as to look up, but could see
~.ning .7a f4 i9
,~.Aloft, there!" he yelled, in rage.
No answer.
"Malntop, there!n
u aalioa!" was answered, spitefully.
oaCome down on deck!a
-. mtome up here and see how you like
Mlsq xue asgt u1
ihe Captains rage was now fearful
sbehold. ;, -.
Y hos aloft therep Who is it, Mr..
Synor?" he demanded of the Mate.
NOBODY that | know of, sir,n an
asight. i o
Inc men looked from one to another.
y we number was correct. The Sec
y lMate, without waiting for orders,
@'.g up aloft and looked over the
iimf, then made the circuit of it.
Alng all round the masthead, and
ssosed himself alone. The Captain
pped MS ropes end and went below,
Il. nlna In a strange chaos of rage and
o. that night. - ''''' ''N
rsan Z lew days We're sufficient for the
sss ,Sa : q fqrgeF his fears, and l myself
al sne next victim of his wrath. He
~. uruered hue to make LANYARD
m H. n n .,eend of an old, tagged rope,
Il + used for lashing somewhere.
II n.y. and returned it to him, telling
ala mad made the best job of it /
IL mell' II that's your best,n said he,
srsua sa le as as much of lubber as your
sor'aa'h rr' Hastings, III dock you both
+ nary seaman's pay.''
/ u r 'nh l demonstrated, saying that
smstpee was too much worn and tagged
4'1Ne heat piece of work.