The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-03
The Mysterious Sailor.

bWag at tne END OF tne voyage, there was
little fear of desertion. That 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 I was walking
ieisurely on the margin of the wooded val
leys back of the town, indulging in such
reveries and glowing anticipations of the
future as 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 per-
eeiye dark body-which might be man
or animal-moving stealthily among the
trees and underwood at some distance be-
low.
came to halt, not caring to be taken
by surprise, and endeavored to penetrate
the gloom, and ascertain whether l was
followed or not; for 1 had heard many
stories Of robbery and assassinations in that
neighborhood.
I had scarcely come to stand when q
voice came up from the deep, dark hollow,
which sounded like ''hulloi"
Owingto the multitudinous echoes which
seemed to accompany the hail, it was i'm
possible TO determine whether the language
vas English or Cholar
had in my hand = stout cudgel, which
fancied might do me good service. I
waited long for the appearance of the
Ing up from the thick umbrage of the
valley; but I saw nothing till was startled
by brisk slap on the shoulder, and as I
turned to see who had so familiarly saluted
me, my ears were greeted with hearty
laugh.
"Ha ha you are not so well acquaint-
I'd with these dingles and mountain passes
10 am" said the stranger. II have come
upon you unawares. If had been rob-
Der would have had you foul"
sand precious little you would have
got for your pains" replied 1, feeling re-
assured by the gentlemanly appearance of
my interlocular and by his mode of ad-
dress.
'You belong to the Endymion ?" que
Eied he.
''That you may be sure Of. My shabby
appearance"
''Testifes that you are near the end Of q
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 few beach,
combers at Oahu, but they left long ago."
"All that implies that your men are dis
@hsfed with their treatment"
s'I cannot deny the justness of your in
ference"
The young gentleman became thoughtful.
fwondered at the interest which he took in
in tae subject of our discourse. As we
walked along toward the lights in the shops
OF Valparaiso, he became lost in his refec-
tons. At last he seemed to remember that
he was not alone, and, turning briskly To-
uard me, he said:
81 take some interest in that ship Of
Souru. When do you sail ?"
confessed my ignorance, but told the
young man that it was not probable we
would stay long, as port expenses were
heavy, and the owners of whaleships were
stingy fellows.
"Hs turned again toward me, surveyed
me closely, and thought there was queer
smile on bis visage.
"You think 50, do you3" said he a,
tast.
II have always heard so.'
"Wel, I've not time to investigate the
matter, as turn oil here, by the calaboose.
Good night.
We parted.
A few days after this event tho captain
Of our ship brought on board couple Of
msn who he had shipped for the remainder
of the voyage. One of them wore neat
blue jacket and pants, the other looked al
ifhe had slept with his clothes on, among
the shavings and sawdust of a carpenters
shop or he might have been hidden in ar
oven like Catherine Alexowna before sht
became Empress of Russia.
As the plight Of the latter was wha
might reasonably have been expected, tool
no further notice of him than to perceive
that he had a very large and crooked nose
but the spruce appearance of the formel
led to the suspicion that he was some Off
ssr Of merchantmen who had quarreled
with his captain, and deserted. Our mates
J seemed TO be of that opinion, for they
eyed him closely, and for several days treat
I'd him with more respect than is generally
;, shown 10 q common sailor.
. ID But, after we had put TO sea an event
1 occurred which shook their faith IN his
!. rsspsetability. In the morning watch, just