The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-02-15

But no such manifestations ever
troubled us in the forecasie, nor did the
unearthly voice ever address any one on
board except Captain Phelps. The more
superstitious part of The crew would
rather have borne his tyiannieal treat
ment than have lived in 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 byt, though now
and then they broke forth 50 suddenly
that the object OF his fary received a
blow before it could inteIere. We had
arrived within few dars sail Of the
English coast when, becoming exas-
/ perated by some blunder of Hastings, he
hurled Delaying pin st him, which
struck him on the head. The poor fel.
low suddenly clapped boh hands to the
spot and rushed into the breeastIe. The
captain after throwing missile, ap
peared, as l thought, sufpHsed at not
hearing anything, and | sseed hin
glance ncrvously aloft. BasS-..l-as -asAzaz
ing nothing, he reeorored his courage
and ordered Mr.. RaynOr to "ealI that
man on deck again.
The mate, getting no answer to hi,
call, went below and found Hastings de
lirious. He reported that he believed
the man to be in a critical condition
and the captain directed him to do what
ever ne thought best for hs relief.
think Captain Phelps, like some other
hard cases that l have saihd with, did
not dare venture into the foPcastle him
self for fear that ne might n,ver get out
again alive.
That night it became necessary to call
all hands out to reef again, nd while we
were on the yards a thrilling cry arose
from the bows, such as migt well have
been raised by maniac. a human
form was seen by several of IS erect on
the rail, near the tore-swifte, and then
a loud splash was heard in the water
under our bow.
Mr.. Raynor and the captai, who were
on deck, rushed to the side hat wac
seen for a moment bobbingup on the
crest OF the sea, and the sane dreadful
yell of insanity was repeatee even more
shrilly than before. Capain Phelps
echoed the cry, but faintly,and fell in
sensible to the deck.
Mr.. Raynor hailed Us on he topsail-
yard with q voice like a trrmpet-blast :
8 Lay down from alolt Gear away the
small boat! "
We thought the mate vas quite as
mad as the poor suicide; and 90 he was
for the moment. BY the time they
reached the deck he was redy to coun-
termaud the order Everything wa.
hidden in darkness, the wnd and sea
fast increasing; and it was hardly pos
sible, even then, for the clumsy little
boat to live The captain, sill uncon>
scious, was carried below, with many q
muttered wish that he nigh never come
up again and bitter were tie oaths of
vengeance, mingled with kind words and
tears, for onr departed Ressma,v, el,",
went round among our little circle dur
ing that stormy, dismal night.
When the Hull pilot boarded us, forty
eight hours afterward, Capt Phelps was
at his post trying to look lie himself,
but still pale and trembling. The mate
had told us that he should have him
arrested as soon as he arrived in port.
But | think he must have relented and
connived at his escape, for he was mis-
sing before the ship was fairly secured.
l don't think he was ever brought tc
justice, though I did not wait to see.
was glad enough to shake the dust Of
the Norway off my feet and to forget
if possible, the history Of the voyage
But 1 often found myself, while on
subsequent voyages, puzzling my brain
to account for the strange phenomena Of
which have spoken. Five years passed
away, and was none the wiser in that
respect, when | found myself in Liver
pool, where l had arrived from South
American voyage and had been paid of
with fifty pounds-a considerable sum
for me to have in my possession at one
time.
Strolling along the streets at early
evening, ready for anything in the way
of amusement that might turn up, my
attention was caught by a poster an
nouncing the performance of Prof
Holbrook, 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 reach9d the hal
of exhibition, and taking ticket
entered and took a seat. | thought the
professors entertainment the most won
derful thing / had ever seen or heard
After variety of sounds and voices had
been initiated with marvellous skill, he
informed us that he would hold con
versation with an imaginary person VI
the chimney When the responsive
" Ha, ha :" came down was startled t
such a degree as to rise from my seat
1t was the same voice, in precisely tht
same peculiar tones that had heard 81
many times from Norway's main top.
A minute later, the professor, having
finished his part, came forward to tn,
front of the stage; and in spite of hi
flowing beard and other disguises, l re
cognized one whom / had supposed tt
be dead five years.
Jack Hastingsl" said 1, aloud, for,
getting, in my excitement, where 1 was
Sit down." {" Put him out !" crieC
a dozen voices at once.
I 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 il
the privacy of his ewn room he graspec
nv hand with a hearty pressure.
Hastings" l asked, how in tht
name of miracles were you saved ?"
Saved Where 2"
When you jumped over board ravini
mad"
He laughed-his own natural. heart.
laugh not the unearthly one which h
sent down from the chimneys and mast
heads.