Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-12
"a 50 D
: MYSTERY cAElBBEhNAA
@>>sas=--~7~ 3 90: l... 7,op~z 32ss-4D

ceptible to us. but the effect was to head
the vessel directly toward the reef, from
which she seemed to be but few
hundred yards distant. On she came, the
water ripping from her bluff bows, and
rising and sinking slowly on the long swell.
She was moving obliquely relative to US.
her port side being half turned to us. Now
a long line of white surf broke almost UNI
der her nose.
by Jove. there she goesr' cried the
colonel, jumping to his feet excitediy.
Hes done itr
AS he spoke her forward part was up
lifted by a roller and came down heavily
on the reef. The shock caused her main
topmast to break short off at the cap. and
1t hung down amidst a tangle of cordage.
Meanwhile. unless my eyes deceived me,
flag was run up to her miZzen; but 1T was
too dusky to distinguish what device II
bore
at the moment the ship struck the air
seemed to become perceptibly darker. Prob
ably a cloud had passed across the west.
On the horizon to. the southeast, however,
a mass of cloudy vapor was beautifully
lighted up by the reflections of the sunset
spleudor and colored with tints of exquisite
delicacy. 1t nodded itself into various
similitudes OF form, and finally TOOK that
of an antique vessel very much resembling
the one on the reef-a gigantic ghost of
ship. which glowed with phantom fire
through it's portfolios and finally vanished
i'll a pillar of gray, diaphanous smoke
The practical and energetic colonel doubt
less did not witness this picturesque orna-
ment of the scene. His mind was full of
the actual situation down there on the reef;
and, though he had so vigorously de-
nounced the stupidity OF the "red-feathered
chap" and even gone so far as to accuse
him of Frenchiness he now began to con-
slider plans for succor.
why don't he show any lights. thought
he muttered. HAS he the idea that he has
come ashore on an uninhabited island?
IF he has been cruising about since 1894
possibly Re has run out of his stock OF
rockets and candles" 1 suggested
DO you see any signs of his putting on
boat % continued the warrior. He's got
boats, for 1 noticed a couple o. them before
the light failed. Why, what the deuce ails
him? Anybody would think that every
man-jack of 'em had been struck dead by
the same blow that stove in her bottom
Indeed, there was not a sign OF HE on
board the questionable stranger; she lay
dark and inert as if she were the wreck OF
generations ago Not so much as the flash
of a lantern or he report of gun came
from her. And yet minute ago her decks
had been asWarm with life.
What do you make out Of it-eh?" de-
rnanded the colonel, chatting under his per-
pleXity.
THE case strikes me as very simple" I
replied. "She is, as you say, sort OF Fly
ing Dutchman affair. She has been doomed
for a certain number of years or centuries
to sail the seas that witnessed her crimes;
and tonight her season of earthly pursatory
has expired. Her crew, who, of course,
were simply dead bodies, animated by de-
mons having navigated her to the point
she started from, have now taken flight to
their own abode
Here the colonel interrupted me With al
indignant snort
Testing is all very WELL" quoth he;
'but what's to be done about those poor
devils down on the reef? 1t may come on
storm before morning, and every mothers
son of 'em be drowned before our eyes.
I'll tell you what it is-if they haven't
sent on shore to communicate with us by
dinner.
/ shall take a boat and go out to see
what's up, in person. That's what shall
do, Would you care to accompany me!
Nothing would please me better. L have
always wanted to board a phantom Ship
colonel, and there is no man whom would
prefer to yourself for my companion IN
such an adventure.
The colonel growled called for Charles,
ordered him to have dinner as soon as
possible, and gave him further instruc-
tions relative to our proposed expedition.
Fortunately for our purpose, the night
turned out perfectly fine and still. and
there was a moon, which rose just about
the time we were ready to embark on our
trip-between and o'clock. We had
driven down from the colorers house. some
two or three miles, over a rough road, in
a single-seated buggy; on arriving at the
beach We found the faithful Charles await
ing US.
'Has the fellow made any signs of life
vet p" demanded the colonel, as his servant
helped him alight.
NO. Massa Cun1, sah." Charles replied.
''Dey's like as il dey wus gone to sleep.
sab De boys here, dey dom like it. sab;
say it amt right an 1 was 'bliged for to