The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-10-18
GHOST OF THE SHIP.
~ LoYoLA L. MILLS, q. 8. A

tsmber 8, late In the afternoon he was
nearing the Windward passage. en-
route from Cape Town to Galveston |
Wonder IL well make 1t this time
without a blow" he unused, looking to-
ward the southeast, where q cloud
bank was rising, around which at short
intervals played flashes Of lightning.
Doesn't look very good for this time
o. year, ehi Mr.. Munson7" he said,
addressing his first oficer. at the same
time pointing to the southeast. "Is
everything on the deck secured?"
"Yes, SIR" the mate replied; the
bos'n just reported everything doubly
lashed."
Darkness falls rapidly in the tropics
and In a short time after the sun sank
from sight the Foxhall was wrapped in
inky darkness, which more clearly re-
vealed the flashes Of lightning from the
southeast Keep her west by nor
till seven bells. then let her 80 no nor
west" said the skipper as he started
below to answer the summons OF the
dinner bell. His foot was on the first
step Of the ladder leading to the deck
below. when-swishl something about
the size Of a potato shot past his ear.
then. spatl something cold and clammy
struck him full in the face.
While Capt. Thomas was trying to
figure out what had struck him, Mr..
Munson, on the other end of the bridge
was yelling: Get out. you beast, get
out-le' go my ear! le' go!" What
10 it?" sang out the captain; Jersey
mosquitoes?" mo. it's bats" said
Munson. Look here. this one was try
ing to make a nest in my ear Where
did they come from?" asked the skip
per. savagely eyeing the creature.
From the islands," replied the first
mate: they are getting away from q
hurricane. They're a sure sign Of q
blow" he continued, "a sure sign. I've
navisated these parts nigh on to 20
years and never knew II to fail. IL we
don't see some fun tonight, then
miss my guess" The mate was right
Before six bells In the first watch the
storm broke with all the fury Of its
foam. For a while 1t looked as IL the
ship could not stand the strain: she
pitched and rolled, shaking herself
clear Of one sea. only to struggle with
bigger one. BY skillful handling ant
the use Of oil q catastrophe was avert
ed. So next morning found the Fox
hall weather beaten, but able to pro
eeed. Early on the morning OF thu
9Th Rebecca shoal light was made oI
the starboard beam, distant ten miles
The departure was taken and tn
/ ha n.x1< - q,
for Galveston. I'VE ought to pick VI
the Boliver Point light at three o'clocl
in the morning." said the skipper
emerging from the chart house. wher
he had been figuring out the cours
and the distance.
At the time calculated for Bolive
Point light to be seen, all hands wer
, trying to pierce the darkness ahead
Seven bells were struck and no ligh
, in sight The "old man" was pacin
, the bridge like q Gagged tiger, stoppin
at every turn to peer with his nigh
glasses into the gloom. Mind you
helm, there!" he yelled to the man a
} tn wheel, who had let her run d
half a point. Keep her steady" Turn
> ing suddenly, he asked the officer G
: the watch If the searchlight was read,
"All ready, SIR" the officer replied
4 Have 1t turned on, then," he sait
AYE, aye, SIR" said the oficer, repea
ing the order to the electrician, VIII
I was stationed to operate 1t. The cul
rent was switched on. and the instr,
ment began to click. as the carbon
automatically came together; thel
with q swishing sound, beam Of ligf
shot out across the water. The q
was misty. causing the finger Of ligl
4 to reveal grotesQuely the night bird
O as they circled and careened In Il
wake. Every eye was expectantly 70
S lowing the path of the light. when su,
denly the captain cried: "LookI N
/ Godi do you see that? Back herI Bac
e heri For Gods sake, back her!" I
: shouted. The third mate pulled II
e handle Of the telegraph back, to whie
8 signal the engines promptly respon
g ed. Does anybody see it?" hoarse
u whispered the skipper. pointing
shaking finger at the ghost. For a gho
It was, floating lightly on the air
the beam Of light, its long arms wa
ing frantically, as II to warn the
back. Once it vanished, then rea
peared. gesticulating more frantical
than before; then disappeared and WI
q seen no more. Every one saw 1t ar
felt fear in his bones. The next 4
slant the ship struck and ground h
"a nose In the sand. But the engin
II were doing their work. and she back,
on. rolling deeply in the ground swe
She continued backing until well cles
Here is the ghost, captain" e
claimed the electrician, who had be,
q operating the searchlight, holding up
70 badly scorched bat by the wing.
/ had found its way into the searchlig
J. during the shower Of bats OF Il
ia Windward passage. When the cure
). was turned on its shadow projected
the beam Of light, producing the a
partition that scared all hands out
" q years growth, but saved the sh
'e from sure destruction. Boliver Poi
e light. az well as the whole city of Ga
!. weston had been destroyed by the hu
ricane OF September s. in which thou
ands Of lives and millions of dollars
property had been lost, and had IL n
been for the timely Intervention of
% harmless insect eater, the crew of d
10 rFoxhall" would have been added
le the list Of the missing.
Under a glass case in the captain
T cabin visitors to the "Foxhall" tod
are shown a fine specimen of the We
Indian bat, mounted with all the ca
of the taxidermist's art, and IL its r
is a little scorched, that fact only ad
to the estimation in which 1t is he
by all on board.-Overland Monthly.
Scandal.
'r Mrs. Smalltork-Mrs. Markdown