Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-09-28
STEER TO THE NORTHWEST.

Robert Bruce, originally descended
from some branch of the Scottish family
of that name, was born in humble cir
cumstances and bred to a seafaring life.
When about 30 years of age, to-wit, in
the year 1928, he was first mate on
bark trading between Liverpool and ST.
Johns, New Brunswick.
On one of her voyages bound west
ward, being then six weeks out and having
neared the Banks of Newfoundland the
captain and mate had been on deck at
noon, taking an observation of the sun;
after which they both descended to calcu-
late their days work.
The mate, absorbed in his calculation.
which did not result as he expected. had
not noticed the captains motions. When
he had completed 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 his
question, glancing over his shoulder and
perceiving, as he thought, the captain
busy writing on his slate. Still no an
swer. Thereupon he rose; and as he
fronted the cabin door, the figure he had
mistaken for the captain raised his head
and disclosed to the astonished mate the
features of an entire stranger
Bruce was no coward; but. as he met
that fixed gaze looking directly at him in
grave silence, and became assured that it
was no one whom he had ever seen be-
fore, it was too much for him; and he
rushed upon deck in such evident alarm
that it instantly attracted the captains
attention. why, Mr.. Bruce" said the
later, what in the world is the matter
with you?"
'The matter, sir? Whc is that at your
dcsk?''
NO one that l know Of"
But there is, sir; there's a stranger
there"
"A stranger! Why, man, you must be
dreaming. You must have seen the stew
ard there, or the second mate. Who else
would venture down without orders?''
But, sir, he was sitting in your arm
chair, fronting the door, writing on your
slate. Then he looked up full in my
face; and if ever | saw man plainly and
distinctly in this world I saw him."
Him Whom?"
God knows, sir; [ don't. l saw a
man, and a man [ had never seen in my
life before"
you must be going crazy, Mr.. Bruce
A stranger, and we nearly six weeks
Quit!
Il know, sir; but then I saw him.
GO down and see who it isl
Bruce hesitated. II never was a be-
lever in ghosts he said; "but, if the
truth must be told, sir, I'd rather not face
it alone"
"Come, come, man. Go down at once.
and don't make fool of yourself before
the crew."
Il hope you've always found me will
ing to do what's reasonable" Bruce re-
piled, changing color; "but if it's all the
same to you, sir, I'd rather we should
10th 90 down together"
The captain descended the stairs and
tie mate followed him. Nobody in the
cabir! They examined the staterooms.
Not a soul to be found!
well, Mr.. Bruce" said the captain,
did l not tell you you had been dream
ing?"
Its all very we'll to say so, sir; but
if | didn't see that man writing on your
slate may l never see my home and
family again!"
All! writing on the slate! Then it
should be there still' And the captain
took it up.
BY gad," he exclaimed, "here's some
thing, sure enough! Is that your writ
ing, Mr.. Bruce?"
The mate took the slate; and there, in
plain, legible characters, stood the words,
steer to the nor'west.'
Have you been trifing with me, SIR"
added the captain, i'll stern manner.
''On my word as a man and as a sailor
sir replied Bruce, Il know no more OF
this matter than you do. | have told
you the exact truth"
The captain sat down at his desk, the
slate before him, in deep thought. AT
last, turning the slate over and pushing
it toward Bruce, he said, write down,
Steer to the nor west.
The mate complied; and the captain,
after narrowly comparing the two hand
writings. said, "Mr. Bruce, 60 and tell
the second mate to come down here
He came; and, at the captains request
he also wrote the same words. So did
the steward. So, in succession, did every
man of the crew who could write at all.
Bu+ not one of the various hands resem-
hled. in any degree, the mysterious writ
ing
Every nook and corner of the vessel
from stem to stern, was thoroughly
searched. for the report had gone out
that Il stranger had shown himself on
board: but not a living soul beyond the
crew and the officers was found.
Returning to the cabin after their fruit
less search, MIR. Bruce" said the cap
tain. what do you make of all this p
cant tell, sir. 1 saw the man write;
YOU see the writing There must be
something in it."
well, it would seem so. We have the
wind free. and I have a great mind to
keep her away and see what will come OF
it,
81 surely would, sir, if | were in your
place. It's only few hours lost at the
worst"
"Well. we'll see. Go on deck and give
the course nor'west. And, Mr.. Bruce,
he added, as the mate rose to 60, "have
lookout aloft, and let it be hand you
can depend on"
His orders were obeyed. About 8