Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-05-13


ln2 Us all in the attitude OF attention.
~ asked, "What-av-t1e dooce i
the matter"
It's the Bell Of Doom, :" exclaimed
bach7tay Bob. a tai, SCARED sailor,
rom his position at the wheel
'Pahaw you're childish, replied
the captain. :Whateyer il i, We are
rapidly approaching it, for notice how
much louder II sounds"
such was the case. The hell was
now heard clear AMI distinct to the
south. and was appronchin2 nearer
every moment. Shortl7 after, the
captain took his night glass ani gazed
long and intentlv IN that direction.
When be lowered it he said
Il can Just discover dark body
rising and falling on the waves, but
nothing rlo-". .Baclstay Box, sou
have got the best eyesioht of any one
on bonrd. See what you can make Of
| it,"
Bob resigned his place at the wheel
/ to one Of the men AMI came forward
and took the glass. He held it to has
/ eye for several minutes without speak
! ing, and. 10 al appearances, without
even breathing, while We waited his
word with the deepest interest.
Finally he gave a great sigh al low
cred it.
BLOW ne, II it amt old Davy Jones
/ a0oat. J"
GLOW does II look?" several Of >ns
\ inquired III the same breath.
'i'll be hanged il can tell There's
no bow.prIt, ana -
Here he lcvcI,.l his glass again, and
4 shortly after continued his ob7erva-
tions.
There's no -alI--no nothin'"
''Ihcro must hc something.
certainly = aw = something,
certainly, if your vision-aw-is able
to discern If, venturel the gentle
/ Adolphus Eitzgibbon.
"Don't you see anything like sail %
inquired the captain.
Not q spcck, or any place to put
one, either. Hold mlnute,' ez-
claimed Bnckstav Bob; 'I've got her
in range now. She amt got the least
mite Of boom, yard, or anything
like. She looks like some great hulk
Of lightboat. Hold on again. [ see
the bell. They've ricged it up at the
masthead, so that 1t swing back DIS
and for ards every time the thing gives
lurch to leewards.
"Can you see anything aboard?"
Not creetur, living or dead" +"
"keep away couple of points
cried the captain to the man at the
wheel.
Gay, ay, sir
And the ships course was altered sc
as to bring her rapidly to the mysteri'
ous craft toward which al eyes were
directed.
Several of the company now openly
remarked that there was something
supernatural IN the appearance of this
boat, with its tolling bell. 70 all O
these Florence Harris and her lover
replied lightly, neither OF them having
the least faith IN their credulity.
The captain listened impatlently an,
then said.
''You're all q set Of towards. NJ
, doubt YOU imagine Old Mex is aboard
with a crew OF little imps, bound 10
, the GALAPAGOS Isles with load Q
birthstone. If you'll content voursel
for half m hour longer, III tell yol
something about It, for ] intend 4
board that old numbering hulk, even /
it turns ont to he the FIylnt Dntchman
; or Davv Jones TN ship, and shall tx
! plore It from stem 10 stern.
TO show that he meant what he sal!
orders were given t. heave to, and I
! get one OF the boats IL readiness. =,
this time the nonlescript WAS plaiIl
! visible to all.
It tapp -arol to bean old hulk, wit
: a's.neie mast III the centre. The bel
was suspended from the masthead
0 aul ever anl anpn4 sent forth rs so
/ cmn tolliug. H. the hulk rose and sun
!, with the hcavin4- 9: the sea.
Before the ship was brought to "
hal passed. the hulk some distance, :
!. that when We halted there were sev
eral hundred yards Intervening, al
il was only dimlv discernible.
I \ boat was lowered. and the captai
a having selected crew, pulled ava
a toward the hulk. asked pern!ssio
I 10 accompany II, but On account Of
: recent illness was. refused. Eortur
I. ate for ne indeed, was that refusal
II There was something 50 extraord
nary regarding tie appearance an
!. action Of the hulk that the curiosIt
i OF Us all was so intense as u be pair
ful. We strained onr gaze, as til
}. captain and his crew rev rapidl