Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-02-04


across the dark water until they broke in
crystal shivers on the hull The light from
the open ports Of the saloon looked hot and
yellow, and only enticed q dull reflection
from the sea Some one, who was playing
on the piano in the music room, had drifted
into the loved strain of Home, Sweet
Home," and was sending it stealing out over
the sea like a benedicton Round the sharp
cutwater the spray was rising in a fairy
fountain, whose drops rang like chime Of
tiny silver bells as they met the waves again
Down In the cool depths a shoal of fish were
playing round the ships head, looking, as
they moved through the phosphorus laden
water like tish-shaped fragments Of solid
rainbow gone mad
Thus | rested and was at peace, until my
reverie was broken by the sound Of footsteps
ascending the forecastle ladder, | turned, and
was face to face with my cabin companion,
Mr. Ralph Stevenson. GLORIOUS night, isn't
itf' he said
Magnificent" | answered, and then added:
It's not only the present delight that am
thankful for but for the memory it will be in
days to come. for you know "a thing of beauty
is joy forever.
Il don't know about that. he rejoined, lit
depends wholly on the circumstances under
which one has seen it. Do you know this
lovely night has called to my mind one of the
most unpleasant incidents in my lifef''
Indeed what was thatF'
sit down here on this coil Of rope, and il
you care to hear it, will tell it as we smoke"
gladly accepted his otter, and Stevenson
began.
When was young fellow, years ago in
London, was in the employ of an uncle Of
81. .
ship owners Ny health had broken down
owing to hard WORK and q severe season. and
the doctor ordered me a long rest and a sea
voyage. The fra at once gave me the re-
quired leave and shipped me Off as sole pas
senger in one Of their best trading clippers
We had a fine passage, and arrived safely in
the magnificent -ror Of Rio de Janeiro
The port was crowded. and We had to anchor
outside and wait our turn to be berthcd We
lay for some days, during which the heat was
intense, when, all unaaaounced, there burst
over the city and the shipping one of those
terrible outbreaks of yellow fever 80 common
there The disease spread with fearful rapid
ity, and soon our ship was one among the
crowd lying at the quarantine anchorage and
flying the hateful yellow flag
1t was terrible to lie day after day on the
CLASSY sea and watch the doomed city through
the haze and the ships nearer at hand Con
stantly the yellow fags were duttering down
to half mast, as a signal to the shore boats
to come OF and take away the bodies for
interment All our crew had deserted at the
first, with the exc !ption of the captain. theJ
carpenter, tall, thin Scotchman from thes
Clyde, and black cook named Jacob These,
with myself, formed the whole ships com
pany Suddenly the captain was struck
down, and by influence we managed to get
him taken OH to enc VI the hospitals ashore
Next day Chips-as they always call the car
penter ut sea-was laid low Jacob came
and told me CHRIS III his bunk very bad
SO | went on the main deck and visited him
found him ravins III fever We flew the
signal for the doctor After while he came
Off, said it was a bad case, prescribed, gave
directions as to medicine and disinfectants,
and departed Jacob aud | TOOK turns in
watching poor Chips. On the evening
of the next day l was pacing the
poop, utterly weary and sick at heart.
The red hot sun went down at last, and
tho stars came out The night was brill
iantly calm and still The lights on the es-
planade OF Rio began to twinkle out into the
darkness Far above them on the overhang-
ing terraces, clusters Of hght-mark king the
position Of countless villac-hung on the
blackness of the steep background like dia-
monds set in jet. The dim outlines OF the
huge mountains which rise behind the harbor
looped through the dar lness IN the faint star
Light The Corcovada and the Gayea could
be seen head and shoulders above the rest
Towards the open sea the black form Of tho
Pao de Assaeur, which guards the entrance
Of the Larbor, stood like solemn sentinel
Near it could DO deserted the glimmerng Of
tho lighthouses, far away at the heads
paced the deck trying TO fight against feel
ing Of utter lassitade and depression had
terrible headache, a taste Ike blood in my
mouth, and felt aching and feverish all over
Presently tho black COO; Jacob came on to
the quarterdecs, and touching his cap said:
Please, cir, won't you come down end have
some teal II has been ready Tor nnIr an nour.
Thanks, Jacob, but how is Chipsr'
His black face became grave a: once as he
replied: Please, sir. be died nearly two
hours ago but | did not like to disturb you
50 laid him straight and still, tied a hand
kerchief round his poor thin face, and came
away softly and shut the door" Here the
poor fellows voice broke into sob
Make the flag half mast, Jacob"
No good now. sir. they won't come off till
daylight
'Oh yes, you are right, forgot it was
dark"
But come and have something to eat, SIR"
persisted the faithful fellow; you must be
ready to Drop
"AD right, Jacob, I will" answered and
then, as turned to 60 said: Jacob, come
aft and have your tea in the saloon To
night, We may as we'll keep each others
spirits up"
Thank you, sir. he said, and disappeared
After little whils, / went down into the
saloon. and had the circumstances been dif-
ferent, would have roared with laughter at
the scene which met my eyes Jacob bad
undergone quite . Transformation. and how
b. managed II in the time, was at loss To
guess de was rugged out in his best suit,
and in all the glory of a dress shirt Of star
Ting whiteness. decorated with diamond
studs
He had not seated himself until arrived.
and stood contemplating himself and his sur
roundings in the mirror over the sideboard.
bis ebony countenance shining with ineffabIs
satisfaction. All through the meal his look
OF self satisfied Importance amused me great
ly; but when tea was over the old feeling Of
depression returned with renewed force
King Death reigned er the ship, and the
majesty and terror Of his presence were all
around
Come into my cabin. Jacob said I,
when you have cleared up, and we will have
. smoke together
He agreed cheerfully. and left the saloon.
Ny cabin was under the break Of the poop,
and bad window looking right on the main
deck, as well as the usual seaward port hola
Before lighting my lamp looked out at the
quiet ship The full tropical moon had risen
while we were at our meal. and filed the deck
and the rigging with her white radiance.
About ten yards from the window stood the
deck house. where the dead man was lying,
and the moonlight gItterei on its window
and the brasswork Of the door While
looked, | wondered: Shall die, too, during
this awful visitation Then thought viii |