Evening journal., 1892-08-20
FAIRY TALE OF THE SEA.
A Wilmington Ex-Nnvai OAicer Hears
still, Small Voice.

ttiils small voice.
There is very remarkable story re-
lated by an ex-nayal officer. resident in
this city, the truth of which he says, can
not be questioned.
This ngular adventure occurred to
him some years ago while attached to
ship belonging to the South Atlantic
squadron, which was at that time cruis-
ing off the west coast Of Africa. The fol
lowing is his own vivid language, as
nearly as possible, used in describing the
occurrence.
1--WE had been sailing along the west
coast of Africa for about ten days,
waited by the balmy trade winds, be-
meath a clear sky, with every sail draw
ing, and every rope taut, until one even
ing when we were, as ! should judge,
about zoo miles south, southwest, one
quarter west, off the Cape Verde islands,
ia latitude II south. It so happened that
/ was officer of the deck from $ till II.
It was a wonderful, cloudless night
and the queen Of heaven, with her ettnl-
gent splendor. was casting her silvery
beams Of light DER the placid deep and
upon the snowy whiteness of the sails
] As ] slowly and with dignity paced the
/ deck contemplating the wonderful scene
]
and the vast extent of the mighty heav-
] ing deep, Ifell into deep reverie, think
! ing of the immense responsibility resting
upon me of caring for all the human
souls sleeping peacefully beneath the
decks, when | was suddenly startled by
hearing a voice at my side, sweet and
low as that Of woman. In solemn tones
it breathed into my ear:
sfXou had hotter ehorton sail
Startled. looked around, but could see
nothing except what seemed TO be a slight
mist, which slowly drifted over the side
of the ship and lowered near by. Feel
ing that my imagination had deceived
me, l resumed my walk, but shortly
became conscious of the same presence
nd again that mysterious voice repeated
its warning,
you had better shorten sail.
This second time / could not so lightly
put aside the voice of warming vague
feeling Of apprehension and distrus
seized me. The wind had not varied, anC
every sail was drawing we'll Anxiously
/ cast my eyes toward the heavens, but nj
was serene and calm. There seemed Z,
be no cause whatever for the warning
and vet ] was troubled paced the decl
with hasty, nervous strides when. for
third time, the solemn tones sounded ii
my ear:
You had better shorten sail
Unable longer to resist the subtle in
nuence Of the warning voice / called {
several of the watch who were dozin
between the guns, on the weather sid
of the ship, to lay aft and stand by tn
halliards.
Sweeping the horizon again with m
eyes. | saw far off TO windward a fail
mist that resembled field of India
maize. Immediately, in loud ringin
tones I called to the men to shorten sa
with all possible dispatch, and con
manded the helmsman to bring h
hard up into the wind The wind con
menced to sough wOefully through Il
RIG ging, when suddenly white squall
the most dreaded of all the perils of u
sea, was upon us. The ship heeled ov
until the water poured in torren
through her lee scuppers, and our sta
board guns were completely submerge
For moment feared that she won
never come up again, but. calling quick
10 the helmsman pay of, with swelll
heart I perceived our noble ship grad
ally right herself As she righted he
self the storm passed away, and aga
the silvery moon looked down upon {
placid bosom of the deep, which
g moment before had been dashed in
> white foam, while the stately ship
d sumed her wonted way.