The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-05

~NS<N- CiiOred on Cool nope.
The voyage had been
tedious from England, and uheveutful. Old
December's wind were shrieking through the
rigging bowling around the masts, aud send
ing off great white caps 10 seward.
All aboard had been safe and trig. and the
anchor watch set. In the forecasile were the
old salts of the crew, their pipes aglOw, spin
ming their yarns. Old Ned. leaning against
the capstan, spoke again.
Yes, / have a ghost for friend. Don't
y0u believe II, mates2"
Curious, turned TO listen. All talk had
ceased, and dozen pair Of eyes were fixed on
tue speaker. Louder screamed the wind.
Louder the ropes ratified and the cable swung
Brighter glowed the pipes. Ned went on:
" lie was a good fellow was Bill nor would
/ be here were IL not for him. He's helped me
many time and in many a blow. God bless
him lie never fails me when / am in trouble,
aud he saved my life"
What ghost2" muttsred the Captain Of
the forecastlc
"Ycs, ghost; and will tell you how"
Closer the men circled together. More coldly
the stars looked down upon US. Higher rose
the winds.
We were boys together. All he had ca
periDg ways and winsome laugh; Jest for
our troubles and true hand for all Bnylike
we drifted from our village in tile south Of
England. aud shipped in the same craft. We
had the usual shoves ut sea. and chung to one
another when the glamour OF bOyhOOd and
youth was beaten out Of u.s. Many stormy
night, many fearful gale have we had i'm the
foretOp and many jolly song have we sung
ashore. From shore to shore We went, from
ship 10 ship. aud we were always together by
mutual inclination"
Here Ned look ed 10 leeward. and although the
darkness was deep around, thought saw him
pass his hand across his eyes For n minute he
ceased talking, and then facing Us again he
spoke more rapidly.
" But there was a night when lost him
when my life sank within me- aud when for
long time and weary time neither the merry
dance, the ringing song, nor even the grog
could cheer me.
oh, that awful nght-not unlike the one
that has darkened around Us. but trebled in
ferceness, and burnt into my brain with horror,
when with tightly-Teefed sails aud storm
sail set we clipped that fearful sea.
- ] was aloft with Bill when the order 10 reef
was given. The darkness was as pitch, and the
masts swayed and cracked with the tearing
gale. Closely upon the foreyard arm we felt
our way, aud Bill cried: Hold hard, Ned :"
Then with shrek that tore my heart-Oh,
God. how that comes back 20 me,-he was
gone-overbosrd with lurch OF the ship. No
cold that chills can chill as such a los. Poor
Bill, j take back the VOID. never lost you.
You arc always with me, Your spirit lives in
my heart.
We'll. we came through that grewsome night
with shivered mast aud tangled rigging How
] missed the boy-for boy he was to me-and
always with boyish affection think Of him.
lie had sailed with me throngh many seas for
a score Of years, and he IS with me now, though
his fair face has SINK beneath the sea. His
spirit, clad in MI his boyish grace, is keeping
me 10 quiet ways and decent repnte.
My own mother had lohg since passed away,
and when that dread voyage was over / went
TO his. aud trust I've proved myselfan honest
son 10 her as my duty lay. Ever after, when
great danger has been ahead OF me, when on
the giddy hight Of the yard-arm, I've thought
Of Bill.
"One night, when or this very coast, IL came
on 10 blow even as the dread cyclone strikes,
and the bowling winds called upon the demons
OF the deep The mnddcnei waves leaped with
maniac force over b0wsprit and beam. and
darkness as Of death shrouded the vessel. The
ruddcr but half Obeyed the wheel. ! was alOft,
amid the deadly darkness, my soul almost
frozen with the horror Of the danger, my limbs
cramped with cold, my footing on the line but
half secure Yet ] reached for the sail-when
through the mighty dread came the CHEEKY
voice OF Bill haiing to me: Hold fast Ned
Pm herc!" And there ho was by my side work
ing with will, giving me his hearty words.
until the sail was recfed. ropes hauled taut, and
W.
Bill WAS gone. But not forever. Often after
that he appeared 10 me when aloft.
well. about the time he saved my life.
Shall ever forget it?"
Here all hands drew closer to Ned, but not
word was spoken.
"Iwas back from the Indies, and was making
my home with Bills mother in London where
by love and care had helped to see TO her well
fare. God knows that after the fearful telling
of her great loss by her simple fireside, after
seeing that good mothers wordless agony, /
had been faithful in my care, and never when
left that home did 60 away without q
blessing in her tender, souowful eyes.
81 had strolled many days in search Of the
ship wanted. The rig Of some did not suit
me, tae ways OF those aboard others did not
please my fancy. or some premOnition warned
me TO pass those that did, until one day the
shipshape look Of an old craft struck my eye.
Ny money was short, so ] went aboard. Her
deck and rigging were in perfect trim. Her
| Captain had on honest face, and the men aboard
seemed handy aud kind. so | signed the papers
| Her name was The Nellie. She was 10 sail at
once, bound for the Hebrides. j went TO work
| 10 fix my traps. 10 speak the parting word, but
above all TO tell my more than serious mother
of my good luck.
"My work took time and as the bells we're
Ginning the midnight came along the crowd
| ed street. absorbed in what j had been about
With my pipe in my mouth / was walking
slowly, satisfied that my plans were right that
prosperous voyage was before me. and that
could again lend n helping hand to Bills
mother.
81 had just turned the corner OF the street
| that led down 10 the vessel when felt heavy
hand on my shoulder. / turned, and then
came the dear old greeting: Hello, Ned ="
| IL was Bill. The same fair face, the sunny
smile Of old days.
Mate" he said, you've shipped IN the
wrong clipper. She'll sink. Look for another"
And in the bright light of the street. as in the
dread darkness Of the storm. he was gone
We'll, boys, l didn't go. Months after
| when fortune had favored me. was sitting
| with Bills mother in her kindly home. She
read from the Shipping News: Lost at Sea,
| Brig Nellie, Of London. bound for the Hebrides.
| None saved but the Steward"
Eight bells struck as Ned concluded, ayes.
mates, have a ghost for friend" and with
these words, he piped the watch below, aud
with heavy tread swung aft.