The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-11
THE GHOST OF THE SHIP.

10 HIo. Sandwich Islands. and back to
Puget sound. whence We sailed. The
CAPTAIN. officers and crew were, when /
Joined. Americans and West Indiamen;
but. n another hand was wanted besides
myself. | persuaded Tom Martyr, an
Englshman. with whom | had become
friendly. To fill the vacancy. Tom was a
fine looking fellow. very iovial. and had
lots Of information. which he knew how
10 use: but though he dressed and talked
Ike sailor. he had not been long on
board ship before it became plain that he
had not been brought up a salt
our captain WAS a Tartar. and no mis-
take: and as he had the eve of a hawk,
no fault committed by man or boy es-
caped him This was specially unfortu-
nate for my English shipmate. He had
shipped on able scamap 5 wages. but his
deficiencies we're 50 many and elaiTing
that our captain, who seemed to watch
his movements more carefully than the
rest of the crew. often inflicted upon him
punishments painful 10 witness. had
strong attachment for Martyn, and stood
some OF his duties along with my own
but was not always on hand to help
him. so he fell oftoner than others te-
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 10 reef topsails.
The men were manning the halyards to
hoist away when poor Martyr. instead of
letting 60 the reef tackle, let go the
weather foretopsail brace, and away went
the ward. fore and aft. BY hitting up
smartlv. however. we managed to get
checked without carrying anything
away. But Capt James. frothing at the
mouth. sworc he would tan the foolish
lubber's hide who had done so clumsy
thing. Saying which be rushed at poor
MARTIN with a piece Of ratline. which
me brought down upon his head and
shoulders, giving them a fearful cut.
Tie was in the act of raising it again,
when voice from aluft roared 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 great rage:
"Aloft there
Hello was the answer back
Come down on deck. was the cap
tain : imperious order
Come up here and see how YOU will
like il" was the contemptuous re
sponse
Come down. say, on deck" foamed
tie captain.
Come up and fetch me, ' returned the
voice from aioft.
"Who is up there. Mr. Scott;' cried
the captain, appealing to the first Of
ficer
No one. sin, -" was the reply, $50 fan
as can see. All seem present on
deck.
The captains rage was terrible to
witness.
"All seem present. Mr.. Scottl 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. without awaiting orders, sprang
UP the rigging and looked over the top
hin. then made the circuit of it, 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 in his hand and
went below. 1t 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 cowld vent
his spleen. had the i'll fortune TO feel
his wrath. He ordered me to make
knot in the end Of an old jagged rope TO
lie used III making lashing. In little
while returned, saving | had made the
best job could out Of rope which was
quite tagged out.
DWELL. " said he, ''if that's your best
YOU are as much of !ubber as your
friend MARTIN. But I'll dock you both 10
ordinary seaman's wages.
tried TO show him that the rope was
too much worn to make 4 neat piece OF
work Of ii.
Indeed, " | said. lit is sadly tagged.
Tagged, is it, cried he, scornfully.
Then I'll finish it over your mulberry
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 thatl" he cried in 4 storm
Of wrath. Let Ire know who 1t is, and
I'll thrash him within an inch OF his
life"
"Will voui Hal ha! hal! was tho
Aocking reply, dropping seemingly from
the mainiop.
Ii was broad daylight when tins TOOK
place. 50 we could see that there was no
one up there | was rs much startled
and mystifed by The occurrence as the
captain: but neither he nor |. nor any OF
the crew to whom he applied could
throw light thereon. But whoever or
whatever uttered the words, my purpose
mo- oar,.1 40 ,,.oa Naf1vris on "A pre-