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


He rushed round in the direction of
the sound, but there was no one there.
:" Who was that that spokeP'' he
cried. "lf | knew who he was I'd cut
his heart out.''
cha, ha! would YEP" was answered
derlsively-from the maintop, now.
1t was broad daylight, and all could
see there was no one up there. l was
quite as much startled and mystified as
my tyrant could possibly be, but the di-
version served as good purpose as on
the previous occasion, for he did not at
tack ma again. Had he done so,
meant to resist, and grapple with him,
if it cost me my life.
That night the Captains slumbers
were disturbed by a fierce cry, which
appeared to come in at the side-light in
his state-room, left open for fresh air.
The cry had been heard by the Mate, on
the quarterback, and by Hastings, at
the wheel, who could give no explana-
ton OF it, and seemed to share his as
tonishment 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 ''invisi-
BILE presence" which gave him no peace
of his life. Whether on deck or below
he found no escape from it, 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 insolent laugh rang
III 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 friend in
this unaccountable spiritual presence, or
whatever it might be.
The Captains angry passions were to
some degree checked by it, though now
and then they broke forth so suddenly
that the object of his fury received a
blow before it could interfere We had
arrived within 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 at MOI hearing any thing, and l
noticed him glance nervously aloft. But
still hearing nothing he recovered his
courage and ordered Mr. Raynor to
"call that man on deck again.
The Mate, getting no answer to his
call, went below and found Hastings
delirious. He reported that he believed
the man to be in 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 that l have sailed with, did
not dare venture into the forecastle him.
self, for fear that he might never get
out again alive.
That night it became necessary to call
all hands out to reef again, and while
we were on the yards q thrilling cry
arose from the bows, such as might well
have been raised by maniac A hui
man form was seen by several of us
erect on the rail, near the fore-swifter,
and then loud splash was heard in the
water under our bow.
Mr.. Rayhor and the Captain, who
were on deck, rushed to the side; hat
was seen for moment bobbing up on
the crest of sea, and the same dreadful
yell of insanity was repeated, even more
shrill than before. Capt. Phelps echoed
the cry, but family, and fell insensible
to the deck.
Mr.. Raynor hailed us on the topsail-
yard with voice like a trumpet blast
9 Lay down from aloft! Clear away the
. nall boat!''
We thought the Mate was quite as
mad as the poor suicide; and so he was
for the moment. By 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 / did not wait to see.e. |