West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-02-15
THE MYSTERIOUS SAILOR.

had been ashore on liberty, at Val
paraiso. Our ship, the Eudymion, of
Nantucket, was nearly filled with sper-
maeeti-oil, and, as the crew had in
prospect good swag at the end of the
voyage, there was little fear of desertion.
The peril had been encountered earlier
in the voyage, and several of the crew
had made good their retreat, though
vigorously hunted, at the Islands and at
Payti.
The moon was up, and was walking
ieisurely on the margin of the wooded
valleys back of the town, indulging in
such reveries and glowing anticipations
az the future AZ the moonbeams and
shadows of foliage engender in the
imaginations of those who are still too
young to realize that "all is vanity"
AT length. began TO fancy that was
not alone. 1t seemed TO me that could
perceive dark body-which might be
man or animal-moving stealthilv
among the trees and underwood at some
distance below.
| came TO halt, not caring to be
taken by surprise, and endeavored to
penetrate the gloom and ascertain
whether was followed or not, for |
had heard many stories OF robbery and
assassination in that neighborhood.
l had scarcely come to a stand, when
voice came up from the deep, dark
hollow, which sounded like " Hullow
Owing to the muttuuiuuus echoes
which seemed to accompany the hail.
1t was impossible TO determine whether
the language was English or Cholar.
i had in my hand stout cudgel
which, fancied, might do good service
waited long for the appearance of the
speaker, expecting to see him come
crawling upsfrom the thick umbrage of
the valley; but | saw nothing till was
startled by a brisk slap on the shoulder,
and, as L turned to see who had so
Familiarity saluted me, my ears were
created with hearty laugh
Ha! hal You are not 80 well
acquainted with these dingles and
mountain passes as | am" said the
stranger. / have come upon YOU un-
awares. If had been a robber, I would
have had you foul"
"And a precious little you would
have got for your pains" replied /, feel
ing reassured by the gentlemanly ap-
pearance of my interlocutOr, and by his
mode OF address
You belong to the Endymion ?'
gueried he.
ThatBou may be sure of. My shabby
appearance--"
Testi6es that you are near the end
of long voyage. What usage do you
have on board that ship?"
/ will only say" answered ] that
we are shOrt-handed the best part of
the crew having deserted We shipped
a few beach-combers at Oahu, but they
left long ago"
"All that implies that your men are
dissatisfied with their treatment"
g | can not deny the business Of your
inference"
The young gentleman became thought
ful | wondered at the interest which
he took in the subject Of our discourse
AS we walked along toward the lights
IN the shops Of Valparaiso, he became
lost in his reflections At last he
seemed 20 remember that he was not
alone, and, turning briskly toward me,
he said
| take some interest in that ship Of
yours. When do you sail 2'
confessed my ignorance, but told
the young man that il was not probable
we would stay long, as port expenses
we're heavy, and the owners of whale.
ships were stingy fellows.
He turned again toward me, surveyed
me closely, and | thought there was a
queer smile on his visage.
You think so, do you p said he. at
last.
] have always heard So"
Well I've not time 10 investigate
the matter, as ] turn oH here. by the
calaboose Good night"
We parted
A few days after this event, the can
tain of our ship brought on board a
couple OF men whom he had shipped
for the remainder Of the voyage. One
OF them wore a neat blue Jacket and
pants the other looked as IL he had
slept with his clothes on among the
shavings and sawdust Of carpenter !
shop, or he might have been hidden in
an oven like Catharina Alexowna before
she became Empress Of Russia.
As the plight Of the latter was what
might reasonably have been expected.
took no further notice Of him than to
perceive that he had very large and
crooked nose but the spruce appearance
OF the former led 10 the suspicion that
he was some officer of a merchantmad
who had quarreled with his captain ann
deserted. Our mates seemed TO be OF