Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1890-01-20
THE MATES STORY.

caught glimpse Of huge bundle Of half
forgotten MSS. and old printed papers
Listlessly picking tho bundle up and care
fully blowing of the dense incrustation OF
dust, the accumulation Of many years, in
advertently opened an old paper, black with
age, which contained the following curious
tale.
As have good and sufficient reasons for
supposing the story 10 relate TO one, in par
ticular, Of my ancestors, many Of whom, in
the old whaling times, plowed both the
northern and southern seas as captains, |
carefully made a verbatim copy Of it and
will again bequeath il 10 a wondering world:
About two years ago left the service. /
was tired Of it, and as ! wanted some more
exciting work, and as that was only 70 be
found at sea, / shipped aboard a whaler as
first officer. We were unlucxy-someway l
bring no luck anywhere, but storm and wind
and being born in March my whole life has
been lived in March. and we were nearly
empty.
We were cruising up here TO the north, on
and Oft, aud thinking Of making for home,
as the weather had changed, and the leo
forms precious quick in these ATTITUDES when
it once begins The captain naturally wanted
to hang on to the last for the chance of an
ether haul.
One bright afternoon, just after eight bells,
made up the log, as part Of the first OIL
GERS duty, and carried it to the captains
cabin.
knocked at the door, and. as nobody an
swered, walked in.
thought it odd the captain hadn't an
swered me. for there he was, sitting at his
desk, with his back to me, writing.
4, i "a.
brought the log-a record Of ships doings,
vessels spoken, knots made, ETC., during each
twenty-four hours-laid it on the table be-
hind him, and, as he made no reply, walked
out.
/ went on deck, and the first person met
was the captain.
was puzzled, for l could not make out
how he could get there before me-
"How did you get up herer said; 81 just
left you writing in your cabin.n
II have not been in my cabin for the last
half hour,n the captain answered; but
thought he was chatting, and didn't like it.
"There was some one writing at your desk
just now / said; ''if it wasn't you, you had
better 60 and sec who it was. The log is
made Hp. / have left it in your cabin, sir"
and with that / walked rather sulkily away.
had no idea Of being chafTed by the cap
tain, to whom had taken a dislike.
''AIr. Stowell, - said the captain, who saw
was nettled, you must certainly have been
mistaken; my desk is locked. But come,wel
go down and see about it.n
followed the captain into the cabin. The
log was on the table, the desk was closed and
the cabin was empty.
The captain tried the deslS--it was locked.
You see, MIR. Stowell,n he said, laughing,
you must have been mistaken; the desk is
locked"
was positive. somebody may have
picked the lock. / said
"But they couldn't have closed it again, -
the captain suggested; "but TO satisfy you
viii open it and see if the contents are safe,
though there is not much here to tempt a
thief"
He opened the desk, and there-stretched
right across twas large sheet Of paper
with tho words "Steer n WI written in an
odd, cramped hand, as il written while the
vessel was laboring in heavy sea.
The captain looked at the paper, and then
handed it to me.
''You are right, Mr.. Stowell; somebody
has been here. This is some hoax. If find
the lubber I'll have him keelhauled for this,
If he freezes for it.n
We sat there some time longer talking, and
| trying TO guess what could be the object OF
such joke if joke it was.
/ tried 70 identify the back Of the man
had seen sitting at the desk writing with that
Of any Of tho crew.
I could not do It. It is true had first
taken tho man FOR the captain, but now point
Of difference suggested themselves. had not
looked very attentively at the figure, bu
/ still was under the impression that the coai
was brown and the hair, which appeared
under the. cap, seemed, as / remembered it
TO have been longer and whittier than the cap
tainis.
Not to appear to suspect any one in par
ticular, the captain determined to have VI
| all the crew. We had them up, one by one
We examined them and made all those wh'
/ could write write "Steer n. W. but w
| gained no clew. The mystery remained an
other mystery Of the seas
That evening l sat drinking my grog will
the captain in the cabin during the seconS
officers watch. We were neither of us in
clined 70 be talkative. Wesmoked in silence
and each Of US was buried in our owl
thoughts.
/ tried to think Of home, of my brothers il
the navy, and my sisters and parents ashore
I tAlb AhS iiN-AoNAp Az ffNlAA 10 " - eAe Ill =
land again; but still my thoughts Away
wandered back to that mysterious writing
tried 20 read, but ! caught myself furtivsl,
peeping at the desk, expecting TO see the fig
ure sitting there.
The captain had not spoken for some time
and was rapidly succeeding with considerabl
success in enveloping himself in an impens
trable cloud Of smoke. At last he sudden
looked up and said: Suppose we alter he
course to northwest, MIR. Stowellln
don't know what it was; cannot hope {
make you understand the weird feeling |
my mind that followed his words; it was
sudden sense Of relief from horrible night
mare. was ashamed Of the childish pleas
tre felt, but ! could not help answerin
eagerly, Certainly; shall give the orderP
! waited no longer, bct hurried ON dec
and altered the course Of the vessel
1t was a clear, frosty night, and as locke
In the pinnacle at the compass before goin
below felt strangely pleased, and caugf
myself chuckling and rubbing my hand
brislly together at what l cannot say
didn't know then-but great weight ha
been taken of my mind.
] went down to the cabin and found Cd
captain pacing up and down the small spac'
He stopped as ! came in, and, looking ~
said abruptly:
ut can do no harm, Mr. stowell"
If this trecee continues lansnvred, ~