Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-03-15

sailors, named Jack, behaved in an
unaeeountable manner. and, when the
next day he had regained bis self
possession. he declared he had seen
the Flying Dutchman cross our bows
just as be was relieved from the look.
out at bells in the middle watch
Of the preceding night. HIS recital
of the circumstances attending the
apparition had made deep impress
sion on aome Of our men; and no one
was more affected by it than the third
mate, who had overheard Jacks de-
scription of the celebrated hsunter Of
the seas sonth Of the cape.
took thafge of she desk for the
balance of the watch, and, at eight
bells, when my own watch came on
deck, called the third mate to me.
l informed him that he was to succeed
the late officer, who, in some mex.
plicable way, had fallen overheard
after the squall had passed over. To
my astonishment he did not want the
position and increased pay offered
him; and | asked the reason.
II don't want to jump into a'dead
mans shoes anyway, and l am afraid
to do it now, after the warning we
mad only four nights ago." he said.
BAH l said. What are you talk
ing about? What warning?"
Jack, just as he was coming off of
the lookout, saw the Flying Dutchman;
and | have always heard that when
he comes across a vessels path some
one of that ships company will lose
the number of his mess and that, if
he's an officer, the man that takes his
place II die toe"
You don't mean to say, Mr.. Ather-
ton, that you believe such nonsense as
that, do you?" I said, smiling.
II can't help believing what l see
and know, sir. Jack saw him cross
our bows"
Saw whom cross our bows?"
"The Flying Dutchman, sir"
Bah T.
"Yes. sir; and only three days after
ward We lost our second mate. What
better proof does a man want?"
The third mate was good sailor
and excellent whaleman. But he was
as superstitious as any old salt, like
old Jack, who believed that he had
actually seen the Flying Dutchmau,
on the morning in question at little
past two.
said no more TO him at that time.
had intended to send him below to
sleep, if he wished, that he might be
in a wakelul condition to take charge
of the starboard watch at eight clock.
But az he did not seem to relish the
idea of running the risk of closing the
number 0. his mess" as he believed
he would if he succeeded the late
second mate, | concluded to wait till
breakfast when, perhaps, the captain
could convince him Of the unreason-
ableness of his superstition. The
watch passed away monotonously un-
til four bells, when I shook the reefs,
out Of the topsails, and set the main
top gallant sail. The sea, taking
into consideration the strong winds
We had had for several days, was re-
smooth. 1t was still blow
ing a light gale-I had made all the
sail I could with s1fety-and there
was a long, regular swell. The vessel
did not roll violently, but, neverthe-
less, sufficiently for the water to rush
through the scuppers, first on one side,
then on the other; and the scene was
varied by a few grampuses which
spouted ahead of US and on each bow.
At six bells the captain came On
deck, and I Informed him that the
third mate did not wish to succeed
the late Mr.. Decker as second officer.
He smiled when ! told him the
reason assigned by Mr.. Atherton for
not accepting the protfered position.
well; we'll see when We go to
breakfast" he said. II don't want
to shift him if he don't wish 10 be,
for he will be as useful to US in his
present position, as in any other.
He's one of the best men to work
round a whale, l ever saw
Breakfast, sir !" said the steward,
as he passed down the cOmpanion-way
with plate of hot rolls.
Lets go down, said the captain
and as be went, he added, "let the
third mate come too"
followed, and, from the companion,
way, shouted:-
Breakfast, Mr.. Athertonl"
cay, ay, sir; breakfast" was the
response / heard, as ! went down.
The captain and took our places