West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-03-07
THE HAUNTED SHIP.

shipped in the Norway for the passage
from Cronstadt to Hull, and another En-
glish gentleman, who went by the name of
Jack Hastings, joined her at the same time.
He and lodged together on the shore, and
became somewhat acquainted before we be-
came shipmates. He was man of consid-
cradle information, and, from his talk, had
seen his share of the world, but was not
much of sailor, as l had already surmised
from the cut of his jib.
We found Capt. Phelps, of the Norway,
Tartar in the worst sense of the word !;
and the voyage was anything but pleasant
one, especially to Hastings. He had shipped
for an able seaman's wages, and his detici-
encies were soon apparent, especially to a
captain who had a hawks eye for the weak
points in man, that he might come down
on him. AS had strong feeling of re-
spect for the young man, l stood his friend
whenever could, by trying to do more than
my own share of duty, and covering up his
shortcomings; but couldn't always be at
hand, of course.
One night when it was blowing quite
fresh, and was at the Wheel the captain
was up, and had all hands putting reefs in
the topsails The men had lain down on
deck, and were manning the halyards to
hoist away, when poor Hastings, instead of
the reef tackle, let go the weather foretop-
sail brace, and away went the yard fore
and aft. However, by luffing up smartly,
we managed to get it checked in again with
out carrying away anything. But Captain
Phelps, frothing at the mouth, vowed he
would tan the clumsy lubber's hide that did
it, and would ride him down like main
tack. He rushed at Hastings with piece
of ratline stuff, and brought it down once,
with a terrific cut, over his neck and should
ers.
AS he raised it again to repeat the blow,
while all hands stood looking on, hushed
into silence, voice from aloft roared out:
"Hold your hand"'
The sound, which was wonderfully loud
and clear, seemed to come down out of the
maintop. The captain fell back aft, so as
to look up, but could see nothing.
sAloft, theren' he yelled, in rage.
No answer.
"Maintop, there"'
'Hallo! was answered spitefully.
"Come down on deckr'
"Come up here and see how you like it"'
The captains rage was now fearful to be-
hold.
"Who's aloft there Who is it, Mr..
Raynor?'' he enquired of the mate.
eNobody that l know of, sir,'' replied
the officer. "They're all here in sight"
The men looked from one to another, but
the number was correct. The second mate
without waiting for orders, sprang up aloft
and looked over the top-rim, then made the
circuit of it, looking all around the mast
head, and reported himself alone. The
captain dropped his rope and went below,
his mind in strange chaos of rage and feal
and Hastings escaped further beating fol
that night.
But few days were sufficient for the
captain to forget his fears, and | mysel
was the next victim of his wrath. He hat
ordered me to make a landyardknot in thu
end of an old, ragged rope, to be used TO
iashing somewhere. did SO, and re
turned it to him, telling him | had mad
the best job of it that could.
"Wen, if that's your BEST" said he
"vou're as much of lubber as your part
ner, Hastings. I'll dock you both to or'na
ry seaman's pay"
In vain | remonst rated, saying that til
rope was too much worn and jagged to max
a nice piece of work.
gagged, is it?" Well I'll finish 1t u
over your lubberly back
ssNo you won't ?'' sung out voice fror
behind the hong boat.
He rushed round in the direction OF th
sound, but there was no one there.
"Who was that that spoke?" he criet
4rf T knew who he was I'd cut his hea
off"
"Ha, ha! would YEP" was answered der
sively-from the maintop, now.
It was broad daylight, and all could Sc
that there was no one up there. WI
quite as much startled and mystified as N
tyrant could possibly be, but the dlversie
served as good purpose as on the prevlo'
occasion, for he did not attack me agal
Had he done SO meant to resist, and gra
pie with him, if it cost me my life.
That night the Captains slumbers we
disturbed by fierce cry, which appearf
to come in at the side light in the sta
room, left open for for fresh air. The C
had been heard by the mate on the quartz
deck. and by Hastings, at the wheel, wi
could give no explanations of it, and seem
TO share the astonishment and tear' VIII
he rushed on deck and looked vainiy oV
the quarter in search of the cause.
From that day he was harrased ana pr
ecuted at every turn by an "invlsioie pr
ence," which gave him no peace OF his IL
Whether on deck or below he found no
cape from it, and especially when he peg
to abuse or swear at any Of the ships co
panv the voice of the hidden champion
variably took their part, the insolent lau
rang in his ear on every OCCASION seeml
to come from overhead.