Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-04-02


pearls, sugar, etc. l was found be
side myself with JOY at this sight, fol
l considered myself entitled to it all
seeing there was no living owner
But Ibrahim reminded me that we
were still far from land, which W.
could not reach without human aid
We refreshed ourselves with the
food and drink, Of which we found 9
great store, and finally went up OIL
deck again. But the sight of The
corpses made our flesh creep. We de
cided to get rid of them by throwing
them overheard, but were startled Il
find that by some mysterious power
they were immovably fastened to tn,
deck. The planks would have to b,
raised, and for this we needed tools
Neither could the captain be loosenet
from the mast, nor could we wresi
sabre from his stiffened hand.
We passed the day in sad contem
plation Of our situation. AS night
came on, permitted Ibrahim to go tc
sleep, myself wanted to wait on deck
to look out for rescue. Yet, when the
moon rose and | reckoned by the
stars it was twelve o'clock, an irrist-
able sleep so overpowered me that
involuntarily fell back behind bar.
rel which stood on deck. Yet it was
more stupor than sleep, for | plainly
heard the waves ripping against the
sides of the ship aud the sails creak-
ing and whistling in the wind.
All at once | became conscious of
voices and mems steps on deck. l
attempted to rise, but an irrisistable
power fettered my limbs. / could not
open my eyes. The voices grew more
distinct. | seemed to me as if a
merry crew ran about the deck.
Sometimes | thought l heard loud
commands, and | distinctly heard
ropes and sails drawn up and down.
By degrees consciousness left me, |
sank in deep sleep in which l yet
fancied | heard the clash of weapons,
and only awoke when the sun stood
high in the heavens.
Wondering, l looked about me.
Storm, ship. the dead and what l had
seen in the night came back to me
like dream; but, as looked around,
| found everything the same. The
dead lay motionless. The captain
was immovably bound to the mast.
| smiled at my dream, and arose to
seek my servant. He was sitting, very
thoughtful, in the captains room.
master !" he cried as l entered, 81
had rather be at the bottom of the
sea than pass another night on this
enchanted ship"
To my questions he answered: II
had slept some hours when suddenly
l was awakened by hearing people
running to and fro overhead. |
thought at first it was you, but there
were at least twenty men, and | heard
shouts and groans. At last heavy
steps came down the stairs. Then |
knew nothing more except in occas-
ional moments of consciousness, when
! saw the same man who is spiked to
the mast above sitting at that table
yonder, singing and drinking; but the
man in scarlet clothes, not far from
him OH deck, sat next to him and
drank with him"
So il was no delusion. had really
heard the dead men. 1t was terrible
to me to sail in such company. Ibra.
him was absorbed in thought.
IL have il now !" he exclaimed, at
last.
He recalled a charm which his
grandfather, All experienced and trav-
eled man, had taught him, and he de-
clared We could keep from falling
asleep the next night, if we zealously
repeated verses from the Koran.
His suggestion pleased me. With
dread we saw night approach. Next
to the captains cabin was closet,
where we decided to stay. We bored
several holes in the door, large enough
to see the whole cabin, and fastened
the door as firmly as possible from
within. l wrote the name of the
Prophet in all four corners. Then
we awaited the terrors of night.
About twelve o'clock sleep began
to overcome US. Ibrahim begged me
to repeat verses from the Koran,
which helped me keep awake. Sud-
denly the brawl began above, the
cordage creaked, steps passed over
head, and many voices were plainl y
distinguished. We stood motionless
in strained attention. Then we heard
some of them coming down stairs.
When the old man heard this he be.
gan to recite the cha rm his grand
father had taught him:
although you come in misty clouds attire,
Or climb from depths Of ocean caves.
Or wander out Of dreary graves,
~