The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-03-01

his state-room, left open for fresh air.
The cry had been heard by the Mate, on
the quarterback, and by Hastings. M
the wheel, who could give no explana-
ton Of II, and seemed 70 share his as
constituent and fear, when he rushed on
deck and looked vainly over the quarter
in search Of the cause.
From that day he was harassed and
prosecuted at every turn BY an = inyisi-
BILE presence" which gave him nopeace
OF his life. Whether on deck or below
he found no escape from IL, and es-
pecially when he began TO abuse or
swear at any Of the ships company the
voice OF the hidden champion invariably
took their part, the insolcnt laugh rang
in his ears on every such occasion, SEEM
ing to come from overhead.
But no such manifestations ever trou-
bled US In the forecastle, nor did the un-
earthly voice ever address any one on
board except Capt. Phelps. The more
superstitious part Of our crew would
rather have borne his ~tyrannical treat
ment than have lived in a haunted ship.
while some Of US welcomed a friend in
this unaccountable spiritual presence or
whatever il might be.
The Captains angry passions were %
some degree checked by il, though now
and then they broke forth SO suddenly
that the object of his fury received a
blow before II could interfere. We had
arrived within q couple of days sail of
the English coast, when, bee ming ex-
asperated BY some blunder of Hastings,
he hurled a Delaying pin, which struck
him on the head. The poor fellow sud-
denly clapped both hands to the spot
with a yell and rushed into the forecas-
tie. The Captain, after having thrown
the missile, appeared, as | thought, sur
prised az not hearing any thing, and /
noticed him glance nervously aloft. But
still hearing nothing he recovered his
courage and ordered Mr.. Raynor to
sscall that man on deck again
The Mate, getting no answer TO his
call, went below and found Hastings
delirious- lie reported that he believed
the man to be in a critical condition,
and the Captain directed him to do what
ever he thought best for his relief. /
think Captain Phelps, like some other
hard cases hat | have sailed with, did
not dare venture into the forecastle him.
self. for fear that he might never get
out again alive.
That night il became necessary to call
all hands out 10 reef again. and while
we we're on the yards a thrilling crv
arose from the bows, such as might well
have been raised BY a maniac A hu-
man form was seen by several Of Us
erect on the rail, near the f~ore-swifter,
and then a loud splash was heard in the
water under our bow.
Mr.. Raynor and the Captain, who
were on deck, rushed 10 the side a hat
was seen for a moment bobbing up on
the crest Of sea, and the same dreadful
yell Of insanity vas repeated, ever more
shrill than before. Capt. Phelps echoed
the cry, but family, and fell insensible
10 the deck.
Mr.. Raynor hailed us on the topsail-
yard with a voice like o trumpet blast
4 Lay down from alofti Clear away the
small boat.r
We thought the Mate was quite as
mad as the poor suicide; and 80 he wa
for the moment. BY the time we reach
ed the deck he was ready 10 counter
mand the order. Every thing was hid
den in darkness. the wind and sea fast
increasing; and il was hardly possible.
wen then, for the clumsy little boat to
live. The Captain. still neon %cious,
was carried below with many a mutter-
ed wish that he might never come UP
again and bitter were the oaths Of ven
geance, mingled with kind words and
for our departed messmate, that
round among our wakeful little
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 oon as we arrived in port. But
| think he must have relented and con-
nivcd at his escape, for he was missing
the ship was fairly secured. I
ion't think he was ever brought to JUS
ice, though I did not wait to see. I
was glad enough TO shake the dust Of
he Norway of my feet, and to forget,
4 possible, the history of the voyage.
But ! often found myself, while on
subsequent voyages, puzzling my brain
% account for the strange phenomena
u which 1 spoke. Five years passed
and | was none the wiser IN that
respect, when | found myself in Liver
pool, where ! had arrived from a
south American voyage and had been
paid of with fifty pounds-a considera-
sum for me 70 have in my possession
AZ one time.
Strolling along the streets at early
evening, ready for any thing in the way
~ amusement that might turn up, my
attention was caught by 4 poster an
nouncing the performance of "Prof.
liolbrook, the unrivaled and world.re-
nowned yentriloquist." / had never
seen a performance Of that sort; but
reading the bill | resolved to 20. |