The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-02-21

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prised at MOI hearing any thing, and
noticed him glance nervously aloft. Blu
still hearing nothing he recovered hi
courage and ordered Mr.. Raynor t,
''call that man on deck again.
The Mate, getting no answer to hi
call, went below and found Tasting
delirious. He reported that he believe,
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 othel
hard cases that / have sailed with, dix
not dare venture into the forecastle him
self, for fear that he might never ge
out again alive.
That night il became necessary to cal
all hands out to reef again, and Will,
we were on the yards thrilling cry
arose from the bows, such as might wei
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 a loud splash was heard in the
water under our bow.
Mr.. Raynor and the Captain, who
were on deck, rushed to the side; a hat
was seen for a 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 a voice like trumpet blast
Lay down from aloftl Clear away the
small 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 l did not wait to see. 1
was glad enough to shake the dust of
the Norway of my feet, and TO forget,
if possible, the history of the voyage.
But often found myself, while on
subsequent voyages, puzzling my brain
to account for the strange phenomena
of which | 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 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
was caught by a poster an
the performance of "Prof.
the unrivaled and world-re-
nowned ventriloquist. / had never
seen a performance of that sort; but
after reading the bill resolved to go. !
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 a conversation with an imaginary
person up the chimney. When the re-
sponsive "Ha, hal" came down was
startled TO such a degree as to raise
from my seat. 1t was the same voice,
in precisely the same peculiar tones that
| had heard so many times from the Nor
ways maintop.
A minute later, the Professor, having
his part, came forward to the
front of the stage; and, in spite of his
flowing beard and other DISCUSSES, |
recognized one whom l had supposed to
be dead five years before.
Jack Hastingsi" said /, aloud, for
getting, in my eXcitment, where | was.
"Sit DOWN." "Put him Quit" cried
a dozen voices at once.
| subsidized, of course, but not before
| had received sign of recognition from
the ventriloquist 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" | asked, show in the
name of miracles were you sayedP"
Saved! WhereP"
"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; and never was any more
mad than am at this moment. 1t was
only plan to brighten old Phelps, and
| think it succeeded but too WELL If he
had been tried for his life and had
thought him in danger, l should have
in court and frightened him
again to save his life. But he could not
be found, and | have never heard of
him since. My madness was all sham,
and the man overheard was only bum
die of old buds, surmounted by my old
hat. l slipped down into the forepeak
and lay concealed till the night after the
ship arrived, when l stole out and went
ashore. OF course you understand the
cries YOU heard?'' -
Certainly; and the other strange
sounds on board. Your ventriloquism
explains the whole matter" as
Il performed in most of the cities
and large towns in England before l
knew you; but l was dissipated in my
habits and squandered all that made.
While on one of my sprees l shipped
and went to sea, and that is how you
found me at Cronstadt. But l was new
er stock to make sailor of. Since |
have returned | have done well and
saved money, and you must allow that
l acquit myself better on this stage than
did on board the Norway"
And that's the only haunted ship that
ever was in. I've heard of others, but
probably those cases might all be eX-
planned in some similar way.