Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-10-27
THE GHOST OF THE SHIP.

Eight years ago shipped on board the
Enrique, Capt. James. Our voyage was
to Hilo, Sandwich Islands, and back to
Puget sound whence we sailed. The
captain, officers and crew We're, when
Joined, Americans and West Indiamen;
but, as another hand was wanted besides
myself, persuaded Tom Martyr, 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
like a sailor, he had not been long on
board ship before it became plain that he
had not been brought up salt.
Our captain was Tartar, and no mis-
take; and, as he had the eye of hawk,
no fault committed by man or boy es-
nate for my English shipmate. He had
shipped on able seanan'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 Martyr, and stood
his friend whenever I could by taking
some of his duties along with my own;
but was not always on hand to help
him, so he fell oftener than others be-
meath the captain s displeasure.
One night when / was at the wheel the
wind rose into gale. The captain came
on deck and set all hands to reef tQpsails.
The men were manning the halyards to
hoist away when poor Martyr, instead Of
letting go the reef tackle. let go the
weather foretopsail brace. and away went
the yard, fore and aft. By luffiing up
smartly, however, we managed to get
checked without carrying anything
away. But Capt. James, frothing at the
mouth, swore he would tan the foolish
lubber's hide who had done 20 clumsy a
thing. Saying which he rushed at poor
Martyr with piece of ratline, which
he brought down upon his head and
shoulders, giving them fearful cut.
lie was in the act OF raising it again,
when 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 theref'
"Hellor was the answer back.
Come down on deck, was the cap
tain's imperious order.
Come up here and see how you will
like it." was the contemptuous re-
Spouse.
Come down, say, on deck!" foamed
the captain.
Come up and fetch me, /" returned the
voice from aloft.
"Who is up there, Mr.. Scott?" cried
the captain, appealing to the first Of
ficer
mo one, sir" was the reply, $50 far
Us I can see. All seem present on
deck
The captains rage was terrible to
witness.
IAN seem present, Dir. Scott What
do you mean by that, sir? / ask you
again. who is up there"
mo one known to me, returned the
mate. .'All are present; all are on
deck"
Such was the case. But the second
mate, WlInout awaiting OruerS, spranB
up the rigging and looked over the top
rim. then made the circuit Of ii, looking
all around the masthead. and then re-
ported himself alone
Then the ship must be hauntedF'
cried the chief mate.
The captain thereupon dropped the
ropes end which he held in his hand and
went below It was evident that he was
strangely affected by what had occurred.
And so my fellow countryman escaped
further punishment that night
But in few days our skipper had for
gotten his fears and looked about for an
other object upon which he coxld vent
his spleen. l had the i'll fortune to feel
his wrath. BE ordered me to make a
Snot in the end of an old jagged rope to