Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-02-06

last faint sound came from long dis
tance off; then again silence, and peo-
pie looked strangely at each other. and
almost as if they were fearful,f break
ing that stiffness by speaking he
words that hung on every lip. At
last Captain Stanley hailed the mast
head.
"'No, sir, nothing in sight. It's
little misty up to windward.'
Keep sharp lookout-d'ye hear
"'Ay, ay, sir 7
"a slight puff of wind blew past the
ship-just enough to bear the distinct
tone Of the mysterious bell, and also to
tell from which direction it came; it
was deeper, clearer, fuller than before.
The mystery deepened, but Captain
Stanly said, quietly: That mist un-
doutedly holds the solution of the af-
fair; it is some ships bell, as we shall
see as soon as 1t lifts little But :
hour after hour went on, and still the
midst hung low ON the water, and
still the mournful sound of that bell
was borne to the ears that listened all
through the night on board the Dare.
Few left the deck. and All night long
that sad, weird tolling kept them com
pany--now seemingly closer to them.
and again SO faint and far away. 1t
was uncanny, and to the sensitive ones
sounded like the strokes of doom.
Just before the early dawn, while
it was yet only clear starlight, the
mist lifted, and at once came the cry
from the masthead: Something to
windward.'
"'What is she iike?'
"'Wen, it's queer sort of craft
altogether
"'Mr. Crabbs, will you GO up and
see what you make Of herr said Cap
tain Stanley; and Mr.. Crabbs. light
footed young middle, sprang up the
rigging, and in few moments re-
turned, saying;
"'She, or it. is very queer looking
thing, sir; it is pretty dark yet. but, as
well as ! can see, it looks like big
natboat with sort of house on tit
floats low in the water And that bell
sir--keeps on tolling sir, said little
Crohbo bacitatiprly-'
"'Y Yes-yes- can all hear the
bell plainly enough. Mr.. Crabbs" and
turning to the first lieutenant, Cap
tain Stanley went on; Mr. Fraser, see
boat lowered away at once: send Mr.
Crabbs in command of her, to board
this stranger and find out what this
means
"a few minutes later one of the
ships boats, manned with crew of
six men, and little Crabbs in the stern,
was pulling towards the tlatboat, which
had become visible, from the ship s
deck. There was no steady wind, but
a slight puff or two had been made
the most of to draw little closer to
the strange thing. and the Dare now
lay almost or quite becalmed about
two miles distant from it; the house or
cabin-the top of it at least-could be
seen. and sort of crossbeam arrange
ment on which hung the bell whose
!, ~
rose and tell with the waves: but nc
living soul was visible. Every glass
, was directed upon the little boat as II
came up alongside Mr.. Crabbs was
| seen to climb up the side and instant
} " disappear, while in the samepo-
= ment the boat pushed off and made
I for the ship, pulling i'll disordered
e hesitating manner, stopping for a few
minutes discussion seemingly, ther
| their way with a long. regular stroke
s Arrived at the ships side. they
2 came on board in daLed sort OF way
/ with white scared faces: and upo.
t Captain Stanley's stern demand for al
e explanation, they managed to tell thel
= story.
= They saw no human being. the,
1 heard sound of human voice on tha
G haunted thing: bat rs Mr.. Crahb
e stepped upon the top OF the high bul
f wark. large black igure reached II
}. and seized him with its long arms an
= dragged him down: and there was
|, sound OF rafting OF chains and Shrek
t and yells of fendish laughter: and III
- thing was loaded with devils. and I'll
n Foul Fiend himself had got poor NJ
/ Crabbs, and they got away As fast a
II they could.
4 And sad and terrible enough it a
! was. and that horrible bell went O
, to,linc an awful knell for poor. hriCh
q hearted little Crabbs. There vel
!. sobs and tears. and pale cheeks, an