Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-10-25
The Sturp Teller.
THE MYSTERIOUS LEGACY.

THE MYSTERIOUS LEGAC1.
Nv grandfather was sea captaln-not
mere claimant of the title, like the water
men of the lakes, and the coast shippers
who never got out of sight of land, and who,
if they got there, could never get back-but
a genuine 'old SALT" trained from boyhood
under tarpaulin hat, and as familiar with
the "paths of the sea" as shepherd is with
a sheep-walk. Spending his life on extern
sive voyages, he was seldom at home long
enough at a time for the salt spray TO dry
on his weather-beaten cheeks; and there
was hardly a port on the habitable globe
in which he could not shake hands with an
old acquaintance, civilized or savage.
Of course his history was crowded with
curious incidents. Most Of these, at which
nv childish ears tingled and my eyes dl-
lated. have become so faded in memory
as to be incapable Of a tolerable narration.
The following, however, made more last
ing impression:
During the calm between the Old French
War and the American Revolution, a large
ship was lying at wharf in the town OF
New York, loaded with valuable cargo
and ready to sail for Liverpool, and thence
to whatever part of the globe the chances OF
commerce would dictate.
This was grandfather's ship, only waiting
for her papers and fair wind. The papers
were soon ready, and shortly after them
came breeze. Presently everything on
board was in active motion-the casting off
anc. co4ing of ropes, the unfurling of canvas,
and the running up of sailor boys along the
ratlines like spiders on the webs; while the
sharp, imperative orders of the mate, and
the hearty "ye-hoy-ye! of the cheerful
crew echoed over the ripping waters OF the
harbor, which looked in the rays of the
setting sun as if it was covered with cream
of LIQUID gold. Just before the last plank
was hauled in, stranger stepped hurriedly
on board and inquired for the captains
state room. Being conducted thither, he
entered, and with slight bow, accosted the
captain, who sat writing at his desk:
"You are for Liverpool, believe, sir?
eyes, SIR"
81 am in poor health, and, intending to
spend the winter in Italy, wish to get pas
sage in the first ship that sails for Europe.
Will you take a passenger" :,
eyes, sir, if my accommodations will suit
you?"
ssNo matter about accommodations, Cap
tain. lam an old sailor, and know how to
accommodate myself. Besides, the trim OF
your ship suits my eye."
The allusion to his ill health attracted
my grandfather's scrutiny, and the intro
duction of himself as an old sailor touched
his heart. On noticing him more partlcu-
larly, he was struck with an undefnable
feeling of curiosity and sympathy at his ap-
pearance. Tall, straight and rather slender,
he was dressed in a fine black broadcloth,
with sort of Spanish cloak of the same
color and quality. A two-edged sword,
common on shipboard at that time, and i'm
properly called a cutlass, was partly covered
by his cloak, and hung by his side without
a sheath. His hair was quite gray, and his
manly features would have been handsome
had they not been SO emaciated as to give
unpleasant prominence to- half dozen deep
scars on his face. His eyes were blue and
full of expression, but restless at times,
showing a sudden abstraction. The loose
ness of one of his black gloves gave evil
dence that he had lost finger or two from
his left hand. These observations were
made by the captain while the stranger was
looking at a beautiful SeXtant on the table.
Turning, as if startled at his fOrgettulness,
he resumed:
''Name the price, Captain, and will pay
it now"
Nv grandfather had already fixed the
price in his mind, and replied:
"You are a sailor, sir, and sick. The ac-
commodations of my ship, as well as my
own services are at your free command"
The language of a sailors heart cannot be
misunderstood, and knows no Interpreter
and the stranger knew that remonstrance
would be ungenerOus on his part. tie made
no reply, but eagerly extended his hand,
and my grandfather, as he shook it, thought
he saw Il tear in the strangers eye. But
noble hearts are impatient of exhibitions of
gratitude, and he quickly added:
81 am ready to sail, sir. syour baggage
on board?"
"This is my baggage, sir" he replied,
showing a small black satchel under his
coat.
Leading him to state room, the captain
left him and went on deck, and found the
ship already under way, the sails filled
houses, and spectators fast growing small
in the distance. At length, as darkness
shut in the view, the wind increased to a
gale, and from a gale to a tempest; and
for ten days and nights the noble ship which
had plOughed the seas of every latitude,
from Spitzbergen to New Zealand, under
went such conflict with the elements as
she had never before encountered. During
all this time, the stranger had been con-
fined below with an apparently rapid con-
sumption, which rough weather had swift
ly matured.
During the storm the duties of the cap
tain were so urgent that he could only make
snatched and hasty visits to the sick man
and although they could have been spared
from their quarters, he could have hoped
for little aid or sympathy from any Of the
crew, who, with the easy tendency to the
superstitions peculiar to their class, had as
sociated his presence with the perils of the
ship.
1t would have required but slight encour-
agement from their officers to induce them
to pay him the same compliment that the
sailors of Joppa paid to Jonah on similar
occasion, when "rhe sea wrought and was
tempestuous."
But on the tenth night, just as the captain
was ready to answer ] summons to visit the