The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-12
THE GHOST OF THE SHIP.

10 Hilo. Sandwich Islands, and back to
PUGET sound, whence we sailed. The
captain. officers and crew were, when |
Joined. Americans and West Indiamen;
but. a. another hand was wanted besides
myself. persuaded Tom Martyn, an
Englishman. with whom | had become
friendly. To fill the vacancy. Tom was a
fine looking fellow. very jovial. and had
lots Of information. which he knew how
To use. but. though he dressed and talked
Ike a sailor. he had not been long on
board ship before it became plain that he
had not been brought mp salt.
Our captain was a Tartar, and no mis-
take: and, as he had the eve of a hawk
no fault committed by man OF boy es-
capped him. This was specially unfortu-
nate for my English shipmate He had
,hippcd on able seaIlan's wages. but his
Deficiencies were so many and glaring
that our captain, who seemed to watch
his movements more carefully than the
rest of the crew. often inflicted upon him
punishments painful to witness. / had a
strong attachment for MARTIN. and stood
=
some of his duties along with my own
but was not always on hand to help
him. so he fell oftener than others he.
meath the captains displeasure.
One night when was at the wheel the
wind rose into a gale. The captain came
on deck and set all hands TO reef topsails.
The men were manning the halyards to
hoist away when poor Martyr. instead Of
letting go the reef tackle, let 20 the
weather foretopsail brace, and away went
the ward, fore and aft. By hitting up
smartly. however. we managed to get
checked without carrying anything
away. But Capt. James, frothing at the
mouth. sworc he would tan the foolish
nbber's hide who had done so clumsy
thing. Saving which he rushed at poor
MARTIN with a piece Of ratline, which
he brought down upon his head and
shoulders, giving them a fearful cut.
lie was in the act of raising il again
when a voice from aloft reared out:
Stay your hand!'
The voice was wonderfully loud and
clear. seemingly coming from the main
top. The captain fell back, and, looking
up. cried IN a great rage.
"Aloft there
Hello" was the answer back.
Come down OH deck. was the cap
tain 5 imperous order.
Come up here and see how YOU will
ike it. was the contemptuous Re
spouse.
Come down, say, on deck foamed
the captain.
Come mp and fetch me, " returned the
voice from aloft.
"Who is up there. Mr. Scott;' cried
the captain. appealing 10 the first Of
ticer
No one, sir " was the reply, $50 far
az | can see. All seem present on
deck
The captains rage was terrible to
witness
IAN seem present, Mr.. Scottl What
DO you mean by that, sir? | ask YOU
again. who is up there
mo one known 10 me, returned the
mate. "All are present; all are on
deck
Such was the case But the second
mate. without awaiting orders. sprang
up the rigging and looked over the top
MN. then made the circuit Of 1t. looking
all around the masthead. and then re-
ported himself alone.
Then the ship must be haunted
cried the chief mate.
The captain thereupon dropped The
ropes end which he held III his hand and
went below. II was evident that he was
strangely affected by what had occurred.
And so my fellow countyinan escaped
further punishment that night.
But in a few days our skipper had for
gotten his fears and looked about for an
other object upon which he cowld vent
his spleen. had the i'll fortune TO feel
his wrath. lie ordered me to make a
knot in the end Of AN old jagged rope to
be used i'll making flashing In little
while returned, saying | had made the
best Job could out Of rope which was
quite tagged out
well. " said he, 'if that's your best
you are as much Of Il !ubber rs your
friend Martyr. But I'll dock YOU both to
ordinary seaman's wages.
| tried TO show him that the rope was
too much worn to make neat piece OF
work Of it.
Indeed, -" | said 1t is sadly tagged.
Tagged, is it, cried lie, scolntully.
Then I'll finish it over your lubberly |
back.
mo. you won't" roared out voice
from behind the longboat. |
The captain rushed in the direction OF
the sound, but failed 70 discover the /
speaker.
"Who was that hc cried in storm |
Of wrath. Let me know who IT Is, and
I'll thrash him within ali inch OF ms !
life"
VIII YOU Ia, ha! haN was tho !
knocking reply, dropping seemingly from
the maintop.
Ii was broad daylight when this took
place. SO we could see that there was no |
one up there | WAS rs much started ,
and mysiiiied by the occurrence IS the /
captain: but neither he nor |. nor any q /
the crew to whom he ;.phed. coul" ,
throw light thereon Blu, whoever or |
whatever uttered the words. my purpose
was served as was Martyrs on pre-