Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-06-27
THE RESCUE.

scenueu from some Dfanch OF an ancient
family of that name, was born in
humble circumstances, about the close
of the last century, at Dumfries, in the
scuth of Scotland, and was bred up to
a seafaring life.
When about so years OF age-to
wit, in the year 1928 he was first
mate on bark trading between
Liverpool and ST. Johns, \. B.
On one Of her voyages bound west.
ward, being then some five or six
weeks out, and having nearcd the
eastern portion of the banks of New
foundland, the captain and mate had
been on deck at noon. taking an OBJ
servation of the sun, after which they
both descended to calculate their days
work.
The cabin, a small one, was imme-
diately at the stern OF the vessel, and
the short stairway descending to it ran
athwartships Immediately opposite
to this stairway, just beyond small,
square landing. was the mates state.
room, and from that landing there
were two doors, close TO each other,
the one opening aft into the cabin, the
other, fronting the stairway, into the
stateroom. The desk in the stateroom
was in the forward part of it, close to
the door, so that any one sitting at it
and looking over his shoulder could
see into the cabin.
The mate absorbed in his calcula-
tions, which did not result as he ex-
pected, varying considerably from the
dead reckoning, had not noticed the
captains motions. When he had COM
pleted his calculations, he called out
without looking round: Il make our
latitude and longitude so and so. Can
that be right? How is yours ,"
Receiving no reply, he repeated hi-
question, glancing over his shoulder
and preceiving, as he thought, the
captain wa, busy writing on his slate.
Still no an wer. Thereupon he rose,
and rs he ironted the cabin door the
figure he had mistaken for the captain
raised its head and disclosed to the
astonished mate the features Of IN en-.
tire stranger.
Bruce was no coward. hut MS he
met that fixed gaze looking directly
at him in grave silence and became
assured that il was no one whom he
had ever seen before it was too much
for him, and instead of stopping to
question the intruder he rushed upon
deck in such evident alarm that it
Instantly attracted the captains at
tention. Mr.. Bruce" said the Latter,
"what in the world is the matter with
you ~
THE matter. sr? Who is that at
your desk -
No one that know Of
"But there is, sir. There's stran-
ger there
"a stranger. Why, man, YOU must
he dreaming. You must have seen
the stewart there or the second mate.
Who else would venture down with.
out orders"
"But, sir, he was sitting in your
armchair fronting the door, writing on
your slate Then he looked up full
in NY face, and if ever saw man
plainly and distinctly in this world
saw him."
"IIim Whom
God knows, sir don't. don't
| saw man had never seen in my
life before
"You must be going crazy, Mr..
Bruce. A stranger, and we nearly
six weeks out"
IL know. sir; but then, saw him. "
"Go down and see who it is"
Bruce hesitated. But never was Il
believer in ghosts" he said but if the
truth must he told, sir, I'd rather not
face il alone"
Come, come, man. Go down at
once and don't make fnol of your.
self before the crew.
al hope you've always found me
willing to do what's reasonable" Bruce
I replied, changing color, "but if it's all
the same to you, sir, I'd rather we
should both 90 down together"
: The captain descended the stair.
and the mate followed him. Nobody
in the cabin. They examined the
stateroonis. Not soul to be found
"Well, Mr.. Bruce" said the cap
tain, did not | tell YOU you had been
dreaming =
III is very well 10 say SO, sir, but
il didn't see the man writing OF youl
slate may never see my home and
:, family again -
a "Ah, writing on the slate? Then il
7 should he there still" And the cap
X tain took it up.
My God" he exclaimed, here.
something, sure enough. Is that your
writing, Mr. Bruce"
: The mate took the slate, and there
in plain, legiblc characters, stood tn,
> words, "Steer to the nor west"
Have YOU been trining with me
Y sir 2 added the captain IN stern
manner.