Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-08-14
Gales ano Skettbes.
Young SAILORS STORY.

Three years ago shipped on board the
Niger, Captain Phillips. Our voyage
was to Hilo, Sandwich Islands, and back
to Puget Sound whence we sailed. The
captain, officers and crew were, when
joined, American and West lndiamen;
but, as another man was wanted besides
myself, persuaded Jack Chester, an Eng
lshman with whom had become friendly
to fill up the vacancy. Jack was fine
looking fellow. a jovial companion, and
had lots of information, which he knew
how to use but, although he dressed and
talked like a sailor, he had not been long
on board ship before it came plain that he
had not been brought up a salt.
Our captain was Tarter and no mis-
take; and, as he had the eye of a hawk,
no fault committed by man or boy escaped
him. This was especially unfortunate for
my English shipmate. He had shipped
on able seaman's wages, but his defencies
were so many and glarng that our captain,
who seemed to watch his movements more
carefully than those of the rest of the crew,
often inflicted upon him punishments pain
iul to witness. had strong attachment
to Chester. and stood his friend whenever
| could, by taking some of his duties
| 1
at hand to help him, so he fell oftener than
others beneath the captains displeasure.
One night when was at the wheel, the
wind rose into gale. The captain came
on deck and set all hands to reef the top
sails. The men were manning the hal
yards to hoist away, when poor Chester,
instead of letting 60 the reef tackle, let 60
the weather fore-tOpsal brace, and away
went the yard fore and aft. BY luffing up
smartly, however, we managed to get
checked without carrying anything away.
But Captain Phillips frothing mt the mouth,
swore he would tan the foolish lubber's
hide who had done so clumsy thing.
Saving which, he rushed at Chester with
piece of ratline, which he brought down
upon his neck and shoulders, giving them
Il fearful cut. He was in the act OF raising
it again when voice from aloft rOared
ont Hold your hand!n
The voice was wonderfully loud and
clear, seemingly coming from the maintOp.
The captain fell back, and, looking, up,
cried in great, rage: "AlOft there!"
"liallOo." was the answer back.
Come down on deck" was the cap
tains imperious order.
Come up here and see how you will
like it, was the contemptuous response
Come down, /, say, on deck, fOamed
the captain.
Come up and fetch me-" returned the
voice from aloft.
who is up there, Mr.. Rassomp" cried
the captain to the first officer.
mo one, SIR was the reply, 80 tar
as can see. All seem present on deck"
The captains rage was now terrible to
witness "All seem present, Mr.. Rassom
What do you mean by that, sirP l ask
you again, who is up there ?''
mo one known to me,' returned the
man. All are present All are on deck,
in sight"
Such was the case But the second
mate without awaiting orders, sprang
up the rigging and looking over the cir
cult of it, looking all around the masthead,
and then reported himself alone.
Then the ship must be .hauntedn'
cried the chief mate. at6BS
The captain hereupon dropped the
rope send which he had held in his hand,
and went below. 1t was evident that he
was strangely affected by what had oc-
cured. And so my fellow-countryman es-
capped further punishment that night.
But, in few days our skipper had for
gotten his fears. and looking out for
another object upon which he could vent
his spleen, l had the i'll fortune to feel his
wrath. lie ordered me to make knot in
the end of an old tagged rope to be used
for a lashing. In Il little while returned.
saying that had made the best job could
of rope which was quite tagged out.
"Well,' said he, ''if that's your best,
you are as much of a lubber as your friend
Chester. Bul I'll dock you both to ordi-
nary seamen's wages" tried to show
him that the rope was too much worn to
make neat piece of work of it. an
deed said. lit is sadly tagged"
Tagged, is it?' cried he, scornfuly;
"then I'll finish it over your lubberly
back
mo, you won't" roared out a voice
from behind the long boat. The captain
rushed in the direction of the sound, but
he failed to discover the speaker.
"Who was that9n he cried, in storm of
wrath, adding. LET me know who it is,
and I'll thrash him within an inch Of his
life
.Will youo ha ha! har' was the mock
ing reply, dropping seemingly from the
maintop. .RFEr
1t was broad daylight when this took
place. SO every one could see that there
was no one up there. | was as much
startled and mystided by the occurrence
as was the captain; but neither he nor |,
nor any of the crew to whom he appealed
could throw any light thereon. But who
ever or whatever uttered the words, my
purpose was served, as was Chester's on
previous occasion. The irate captain
went below, filled more with fear than
! rage, throwing behind him as he stepped
upon the cabin ladder, the ropes end
which had SO veXed him.
Sailors in general are superstitious
beings. Whatever cannot be easily made
out or accounted for on natural principles,
is laid to the account of the supernatural.
. Our captain was no better in this respec,
than his crew, for he was as illiterate as
they, except in the matter Of navigation,
and as rough and untutored. He evidently
= believed that his ship was haunted, and
that a spirit from the Vastly deep had q
mind to torment him by its interterences
His fears were increased not many day: