The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1879-06-20
THE MYSTERIOUS SAILOR.

EStA Ot1S5 anu aS tAC crew Iad ia pros
pect good swag at the end of the voy-
age, there was little fear Of desertion
That peril had been encountered earlier
in the voyage, and several of the crew
bad made good their retreat, though Wig
nously hunted, at the Islands and Al
Pa9ti.
The moon was up, and was walking
leisurly on the margin of the wooded
valleys back of the town, induIging IN
such reyeries and glowing anticipations
ofthe future as the moonbeams and
shadows of foliage engender in the imag.
nation Of those who are still too young to
realize tLat "all is vanity"
At length began to fancy that I was
not alone. 1t seemed to me that could
perceive dark body-wh;ch might be
man or animal-moying stealthily among
the trees and underwood at some distance
below.
| came to halt, net caring to be taken
by surprise, and endeavored to penetrate
the gloom, and ascertain whether | was
followed or not for l had heard many
stories of robbery and assassination in
that neighborhood.
had scarcely come to a stand still
when voice came up from the deep,
dark hollow, which sounded like 'hullo'
Owing to the multitudinous echoes
which seemed to accompany tie hail, it
vas impossible to determine whether tie
language was English or Cholar
| had in my hand a stout cudgel, which
Iancied might do me good service. |
waited long for the appearance of the
speaker, expecting to see him crawl out
from the thick umbrage Of the valley
but saw nothing till I was startled by
brisk slap on the shoulder, and as /
tuned to see who had SO familiarly sa-
luted me, my ears were greeted with
hearty laugh.
aHa +! ha you are not SO well acquaint-
ed with these dingles and mountain
passes as am," said the stranger. II
have come upon you unawares. If had |
been a robber I would have had yeuI
fa.
and precious little you would have
gotfor your pcrs," replied !, feeling re-
assared by the gentleman'y appearance
ofny interloeutor and by his mode of
address.
You belong to the Endym;on ''que-
rei he.
That you may be sure Of. Ny shabby
appearance-''
sTestifes that you are near the end Of
alng voyage. What usage do you have
ouihat ship?
Il will only say, I answered I, "that
vare shorthanded, the best of the crew
having deserted. We shipped few
beach-combers at Oahu, but they left
long ago."
aAll that implies that your men are
dissatisfied with their treatment"
u cannot deny the justness of your
inference"
The young gentleman became thought
hl, wondered at the interest which he
took in the subject Of our discourse, As
vewalked along towards the lights in the
SHOP windows of Valparaiso, be became
lost in reflection. At last he seemed to
remember that he was not alone, and,
tuning towards me, he said /:
'I take some interest in that ship Of
yeays. When do you sail ?"
Iconfessed my ignorance, but told the
young man it was not probable that We
should stay long, as port expenses were
heavy, and the owners Of whaleships were
stingy fellows.
lie glanced towards me, surveyed me
closely, and l thought there was queer
smile on his face.
aYou think So, do you p said he at
last
IL have always heard So"
aWell, / haven't time to investigate
tie matter, as | turn ofhere by the Gala
bose. Good night
NE parted.
i few days after this event the Captain.
-four ship brought on board couple Of
ofnen who he had shipped for the re-
nander Of the voyage. One Of them
wore neat blue jacket and pants, the
olBar looked as if he had slept with his
clothes on, among the shaving and saw
lust Of carpenters shop, or be might
have been hidden in an oven, like Gather
ia Alexowna, before she became En-
press of Russia.
And the plight Of the latter was what
4 might reasonably have been expected, |
t0ok ~ further notice Of him than to per
osigc that he had very big and crooked
nose but the spruce appearance Of the
iofmcr led to The suspicion that he was
some officer of merchantmen, who had
4 1.zs,,k,.I