The Red Cloud chief., 1899-01-27
PHANTOM SHIP
Or
The Flying DutChman.
<.rBy
sI-----BY CAPTAIN MhRRYhT.

II was past midnight, and the rain
poured down. felt unusual fear--I
knew not why. rose from the couch,
and dipped my finger In tho blessed
water, and crossed myself. A violent
gust of wind roared round the house,
and alarmed me still more. | had
painful, horrible foreboding; when, of
sudden, the windows and window
shutters were blown in, the light was
extingulshed, and l was left in utter
darkness. screamed with fright; but
ut last recovered myself, and was
proceeding toward the window that I
might reclose II. when whom should ]
behold. slowly entering at the case
ment. but--your father-Philip! Yes.
Philip, It was your father!"
"Mcrciful Cod" muttered Philip. in
low tone almost subdued ~ whis-
per.
81 knew not what to think-he was
In the room: and although the dark
ness was intense. his form and fea-
lures were as clear and as defined as II
II were MONDAY. Fear would have in
clined me to recoil from--his loved
presence to fly toward him. remain
ed on that spot where was, choked
with agonizing sensations. When he
had entered the room, the windows and
shutters closed of themselves. and the
candle was rclighted-then ] thought
1t was his apparition, and tainted on
the floor.
When | recovered | found myself
on tho couch. and perceived that cold
oh, how cold!-and dripping hand
was clasped In mine. This reassured
me, and l forgot the supernatural
aisnS which accompanied his appear
ance. l imagined that he had been un-
fortunate, and had returned home. l
opened my eyes. and beheld my loved
husband, and threw myself into his
arms. His clothes were saturated with
rain: felt as II had embraced ice
but nothing can check the warmth of
woman's love. Philip. He received my
caresses. but he caressed not again; he
spoke not. but looked thoughtfully and
unhappy. william" cried 1;
speak, vanderdecken; speak to your
dear Catherine
"I WILL replied he, solemnly. for
my time Is short
No, no, you must not go to sea
again; you have lost your vessel: but
you are safe. Have not you again?'
"Alas, no--be not alarmed. but lis
ten. for my time is short. have not
lost my vessel Catherine. but l have
lost Make no reply, but listen. ]
am not dead. nor yet am ! alive.
hover between this world and the
world of spirits. Mark me.
For nine weeks did try to force
my passage against the elements round
the stormy Cape, but without success;
and I sworo terribly. For nine weeks
moro did | carry sail against the ad
verse winds and currents, and yet
could gain no ground; and then
blasphcmed--ay, terribly blasphemed.
Yet still persevered. The crew. worn
out with long fatigue. would have had
me return to the Table Bay. but | re-
fused; nay more. l became a murderer
--unintentionally, 1t is true. but still
a murderer. The pilot opposed me.
and persuaded the men to bind me. and
In the excess OF my fury, when he took
me by the collar, | struck at him; he
reeled and with the sudden lurch OF
the vessel he fell overheard, and sank
Even this fearful death did not re-
strain me: and | swore by the frag-
ment of the Holy Cross, preserved in
that relic now hanging round your
neck that | would gain my point IN
defiance of storm and seas, of light
ming. of Heaven. or of hell, even II
should beat about until the Day OF
Judgment.
MY oath was registered in thun-
der, and In streams of sulphurous fire.
The hurricane burst upon the ship, the
canvas few away in ribbons; noun
tains OF seas swept over us, and in the
center Of deep overhanging cloud,
which shrouded all in utter darkness,
were written In letters Of livid flame,
these words; Until the Day of Judg-
ment.
Listen To me. Catherine, my time
! Is short. One hope alone remains. and
! for this am permitted to come here.
Take this letter He put sealed
paper on the table. Read II. Catherine
dear. and try II you can assist me.
Read Il. and now farcwell-my time
| is come
Again the window and window
shutters burst open--again the light
was extinguished, and the form of my
husband was. as 1t were. waited In the
dark expanse. started up and fol-
lowed him with outstretched arms and
frantic screams as he sailed through
the window; my glaring eyes beheld
his form borne away like lightning on
the wings Of the wild gale till it was
lost as a speck Of light. and then It
disappeared, Again the windows
closed, the light burned. and l was left
alone!
Heaven have mercy! My brain.--
my brain Philip! Philip" shrieked
the poor woman; don't leave me