Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1892-12-01
THE SHIP CALIFORNIA; GHOST.



It was in the second dog watch,
on one Of those lovely spring even
ings, when everything seems cheer
full, and the very air is conducive
to a comfortable position and good
gam.
| We we're all youngsters, none Of
JUS having been at sea- more than
! three years, but we we're Is salt as
salt could be; and from constant
practice, our Language was thorough
| " tinctured with the brine. Our
vessel was lying in the stream off
one OF the old whaling tsssns, al
whose wharTes there still 10y some
decaying whalers, relics 81 d bygone
occupation. As We cast out eyes
around, looking for some one to
play our pranks on, they naturally
fell on some Of these old packets.
Chris, between pulls at a pipe,
from which he was smuggling a
smoke, said: CHOSE old packets
have seen some hot times, boys.
why, some 81 those vessels we're
worse than pirates to sail IN, and
many's the man that's been killed
BY the mates and boat stcerers, and
logged a. having been lost over
board Now there's the old Cali
fornia. She was notorious in that
way. The gunner was d boy aboard
her, and he says that hs knew 81
three that we're killed, and logged
rs having been lost from topsail
in a squat. And that reminds me.
You remember how Harry said that
be didn't believe a ghost would ap
pear II you stuck your knife IN the
keelson of d ship 81 that kind 1t
midnight. Now | do. Here's your
chance. Harry. Suppose you try il
tonight, Or viii you back down,
and own up that you are afraid to?'
Or course Harry said he wasn't
afraid, and would do Il just 70 prove
that there was no such thing ~ 4
ghost, and, moreover, BIZ would do
ii tonight il bio could get leave.
So We cat around, discussing the
details 81 the expedition. Every
thing vas to be favorable as We
could make it. We finally arraug
cd TINT all that could get liberty
would form 4 party, escort Harry
ashore, and 500 that everything WAS
worked ii d ship-shape fashion.
Four of Us, Chris, Harry, Jim.
and myself. managed 10 get liberty,
10 the iirst-lieutenant was ii a
splendid humor. AS soon as We
could got ready, we obtained y boat
and started FOR shore We were
afraid that lie might change bis
mind, and not let as 90.
Our preparations we're simple and
soon made about five fathoms Of
rope aud q stout sheath knife
As IL was only eight o'clock when
We stepped on the wharf. We thought
il would DO best to look over The
ground 4 little, 30 that we could
work more easily, and not have the
trouble Of feeling our way around
lin tho dark. We went on the
wharf, to which the California was
fast. and found the best place to
get on board. Then, slowing away
the knife and rope where We could
readily find them, We proceeded UP
10 the town and looked around for
some way to kill time,
We made a tarpanlin muster, and
finding enough Of a party and .
fund for tho theatre; we all went.
For i half-honr or 50 thereafter,
va wandered about the town, anus
ing ourselves as best we might. At
ten minutes to twelve, va approach
ed the CALIFORNIA; wharf.
There did not seem to be any
question as to which one was to 60
first, up to this time; but, on arriy-
/ ing at the head OF the wharf, each
Of ns had various excuses for letting
someone else 30 first. This was set-
tied, finally, By our going foul
abreast. In this manner We neared
the vessel clambered over the side,
and got the rope ready to Lover
Harry down.
Harry, Sknife in hand, took hi
seat ii the bovine, and catching
q turn over . cavil, \ lowered away
handsomely, until ! felt i slack
Then, drawing itup, ! let il lie d