Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-01-30


twas broad daylight, and all
could see that there was no one up
there. l was quite as much start
led and mystified as my tyrant
could possibly be, but the diversion
served rs good purpose as on the
previous occasion, for he did not at
tack me again. Had he done so |
meant TO resist, and grapple with
him, if it cost me my life.
That night the Captains slum-
bers were disturbed by fierce cry,
which appeared to come in at the
side light IN his state room, left
open for fresh air. The cry had
been heard by the mate on the quar-
ter-de6ll, and by Hastings, at the
wheel, who could give no eXplana-
tion of it, and seemed to share lis
astonishment 'and fear, when lie
rushed on deck and looked vainly
over the quarter in search of the
cause.
From that day he was harasSed
and prosecuted at every turn by an
invisible presence" which gave
him no peace Of his life. Whether
on deck or below he found no eS-
cape from it, and especially when
he began to abuse or swear at any
Of the ships company the voice of
the hidden champion invariable
took their part, the insolent laugh
rang in his ear on every such occa-
sion, seeming to come from over
head. -E tE
But no such manifestation ever
troubled us in the forecastle, nor
did the unearthly voice ever ad-
dress any one on board except Capt.
Phelps. The more supersticious
part of our crew would rather haye
borne his. .tyrannical treatment than
have lived in a haunted ship, while
some of US welcomed a friend in
this unaccountable spiritual pre-
sence, or whatever it might be.
The captains angry passions We're
to some degree checked by it, though
now and then they broke forth so
suddenly thai the object of his fury
received Il blow befole it could inter-
fere. We had arrived within 4
couple Of days sail of the English
coast, when, becoming exasperated
by some blunder of Hastings, he
hurled Delaying pin, which struck
him on the head. The poor fellow
clapped both hands to the
spot with yell and rushed into the
forecastle. The captain, after hav-
ing thrown the missile, appeared,
as l thought, surprised at not hear
ing anything, and l noticed hin
glace nervously aloft. But still
hearing nothing he recovered his
courage and ordered Mr.. Raynot to
"call that man ou,deck again.
The mate, getting no answer TO
his call, went below and found
Hastings dehrious. He reported
that he believed the man TO be IN a
critical condition, and the captain
directed him TO do whatever lie
thought best for his relief. I think
Capt. Phelps, like some other hard
cases that 1 have sailed with, did
not dare venture into the forecastle
himself, for fear that he might Dey-
er get out again alive.
That night it became necessary to
call all hands out to reef again, and
while we were on the yards thrill
ing cry arose from the bows, such
as might Wefl have been raised by q
maniac. A human form was seen
by several of US erect on the rail,
near the fore-swifter, and then
loud splash was heard in the water
under our bow. .-
Mr.. Raynor and The captain, who
were on deck, rushed to the side n
hat was seen for moment bobbing
up on the crest of the sea, and the
same dreadful yell of insanity was
even more shrill than be-
fcre. Captain Phelps echoed the
cry, but family, and fell iusensible
TO the deck.
Mr.. Raynor hailed us on the top
aail yard with a voice like y trump
ct blast-''LaY down from aloft
Clear away the small boat! !"
We thought the mate was quite
as mad as the poor suicide ard so
he was for the moment. BY the
time we reached the deck he was
raady ta countermand the order.