The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-06-07
THE RAVEN OF THE SEA.

course. A few days more and she
would be anchored safely in Dover
harbor.
The voyage from the Indies had been
severe one, and the ship and crew
looked badly weather-beaten. She car
ried only one passenger, son of the
vessels owner, George Cary, a stalwart
handsome young fellow, with cheeks as
brown as a berry, and smile ever steal
ing from beneath pair of twinkling,
blueish eyes.
The hot sun was beating OH the shin
ing white decks, and on the waters the
waves arose, glistened, and fell IN play
full silvery numbers. George Cary,
shading his eyes with his hands, was
watching long, dark line OF coast to
leeward. 1t gave thrill to his heart
to see the unmistakable sign Of land
once more. Happy visions passed quick
ly through his mind, and how long he
would have renamed in the enjoyment
of them, it would be impossible to tell,
but his attention was attracted to a
bird, large and dark, which had flown
suddenly toward the vessel out Of the
dazzling sunlight, and had alighted on
the deck of the vessel. He ran to it,
thinking that perhaps in its giddy fight
it had struck one of the vessels masts,
and being stunned or killed by the blow,
had fallen to the deck. Some of the
sailors were there before him, and when
he reached the spot, raven, living and
unconcerned at the presence of the sail
ors or himself, was slowly pacing around
the deck. The sailors were regarding
it with mute admiration, as If entranced
by its presence. The approach of the
captain broke the silence. He exclaimed
In lusty, joyful tone: "God is good to
us, men; He has sent us the raven of
the sea-"
The men cheered, and one of their
number hastily retired, and after little
while returned with an armful of pro-
visions. These he threw on deck at the
feet of the bird. 1t quickly fastened
its long and wide talons on the largest
pieces of meat, and picking them up,
arose in the air. They glanced up at it
with reverence akin to awe. George
Carey was mystihed, and he, too, was
curiously regarding the birds ascent,
when something touched his shoulder,
and looking around on the instant, he
saw sailor with an uplifted gun, aimed
at the flying bird. 1t was only the work
Of a moment, and George struck the
gun upward with his arm. 1t exploded
with harsh, vindictive roar only to
bury its contents in the rigging of the
vessel, and to throw the sailor to the
deck: Above the noise Of the explosion,
there arose yell, like the dying shrek
of man, and sent chill of fear into
the hearts of all. The sailor lying on
the deck never uttered a sound from the
time OF the shot, and the raven was
fast becoming fading black spot in
the skies.
"Take him below, yelled the cap
tain, pointing to the PROSTATE sailor.
"God have mercy on us tonight"
When they lifted up the man, he was
still senseless, and could give no reason
for his action, and they carried him be.
low decks. Angry scowls rested upon
the faces of the sailors, and the cap.
tain's brow was dark and furrowed with
thought. George did not wish to inter.
rupt the gloom of the captain, OF &c
question the affrlghted sailors about the
affair, and he attributed their fears tC
some superstition regarding the visit Of
the raven.
The moon came out in the evening
bright and cheerful, lighting up the sea
and the heavens with its pale, steady
beams. The splash Of an occssiona
high wave against the vessels sides was
the only sound which broke the stiffness
of the night.
George retired to his cabin, and soon
despite the scenes OF the day, he fel
into an easy slumber.
Probably 1t was after midnight, thu
time is unknown, when he was awak
ened by terrible crash, as if the vesse
had struck rock and was rapidly goinl
to pieces. He sprang from his bunk
and rushing up to the deck, as fast a!
the trembling timbers of the vesse
would allow, he saw the men running
in every direction for something to clinj
to. The sky was rs dark as pitch; spite
full tongues Of lightning flashed from it
the thunder roared without ceasing
and the sea was believing in agony, a
its black, heaving breast swelled an
fell with frightful contortions. A
George reached the deck, the topmas
fell tearing itself apart from the vessel
He madly clutched it, and the next me
ment he was swept with it out on tn
sea. The waters Missed in his ears; the
suffocated him; they lifted him on hlg
on their groaning breast; and the ne1
m ment buried him beneath then
Amid hope and despair, he chung to Ii
mast, praying to God to save him. H
brain became on fire; demons,
thought, surrounded him on every sid
laughing at his efforts. His strengt
left him, he thought again; and be rec
ed, let go his hold, and fell down, dow
he knew not whittier.
A tall Gaunt man, with shaggy loi
hair ID beard leaned over the deaf
like IJfm Of a young man. He pour
some mixture down his throat, and tn
he chaftd and rubned his temples, |
hands and his feet. He pressed up
his chest until he heard low. cow
sive shuGder of the body, and then
smile OF satisfaction stole across the t
mans face. The sun beamed stron(
into the apartment where they were,