The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1907-03-07

ell as fast as wind and rain would per-
NIT.
This eventrul visit to the seeress was
made on May 4, and nearly q month
had passed when received letter
from Tom.
He had had many adventures, he
wrote, aud had passed through many
perils, concerning which | should hear
on his return. The letter was followed
In few weeks by Tom himself, alive
and well and looking ns brown and
rugged as "A sailor should, and l lis
tened with excited interest while lie re-
counted all that had befallen him since
sailing from New Orleans.
"On leaving the Bahamas" he said,
eve proceeded TO Rio Innelro and dis
charged our cargo. We intended to
touch ut Trinidad ON the return voy-
age. We, however encountered storms,
and our vessel was wrecked within
sight of the island. All ON board were
saved. | had the good luck TO fall in
with vessel bound for Santo Domin-
20. From there was In hopes of find
ing berth on some northward bound
vessel
81 was to have more adventures,
however. During the voyage we We're
driven by adverse winds far out of our
course and lay for long time becalm-
ed In the Caribbean sea, not far from
the Island OF Martinique
zone day, as the vessel lay In sea 50
calm that 1t resembled great mirror,
suddenly, from nowhere apparently, there
appeared directly over the mainmast OF
the vessel huge black bird. 1t was not
like any bird l had ever seen In the trop-
les. nor anywhere else. in fact Its large
head resembled that of an owl, and the
body was almost like an eagles, except
that 1t was black as raven.
~ was not the only one who saw the
bird, and In an instant sailor came rum
ming with gun In his hand. But the
others begged him not to shoot.
1T will bring bad luck to the ship
they cried. Put up the gum
81 was not superstitious, however, and,
seizing the rifle from the sailor. who
stood irresoute. 1 raised the muzzle and
took aim at the bird
but now a strange thing happened
Jut as was about to pull the trigger the
bird disappeared. Nor did 1t fly away.
but poised In midair over the ship, 1t
vanished 1t had come-on the instant.
81 lowered the gun. blinked my eyes
and looked about me.
"'Did you see that? / asked, turning
to the sailor who had brought the gun.
"'Blow mel ne said. Where did 1t go
tor
"Then looked around at the others. all
of whom had seen the thing.
told So, repeated first one,
then another. 1T is lucky you did not
shoot. No good would come to the ship
'By this time the captain was on the
scene with his glasses and carefully scan
ming the sky. but no bird could be seen.
1t all happened in a minute. and can
hardly believe to this day that 1t was
not dream"
What date was that Tom?" 1 asked
eagerly.
MAY 4. 1 remember it well, because
that night a breeze sprang up. and we
made the island of Martinique before
daybreak
"The second night we lay in st. Pierre.
At about the middle watch l was awak-
ened by a sound as of some one moving
about the cabin. At first / was going to
call out but before l had time to open
my mouth a strange light began to glow
around rle, and suddenly the side of the
ship seemed to open. and 1 saw Mont
Pelee seething mass of flame, which
shot upward to the skies. AS l gazed at
the sight the same rustling noise which
had first heard again fell on my ears.
and the strange black bird that had APP
peared above the ship two days before
swooped down, spreading its huge body
and wings between me and the scenes 1t
was nearer now, and It's head, l could
have sworn, was the head of a human
being with a look Of unmistakable warn
ing in its eyes. AS l raised my hand,
Al a
l found myself sitting up In my berth
staring wildly at the wall of my cabin,
where moment ago Pelee had shot forth
flame and smoke.
"Only a dream? Yes, OF course. But
the strangest part of 1t has to come.
The next day there was Il consultation as
to whether we should remain in harbor
another day or sail at once. The vision
of the previous night rose up before me,
and | felt relieved when 1t was decided to
set sail right away. Some delays occur
red, however, and finally we sailed out OF
st. Pierre few minutes before o'clock
on the Sth of May. l shall never forget
that day as long as live. We were just
barely out of the harbor when terrible
thing happened. The most terrific noise
/ ever heard In my life sounded from
Mont Pelee. | could think of nothing but
the crack of doom. 1t seemed II 1t
must be heard around the world. Every
for some time had been sending out
ashes and cinders. AS L looked toward 1t
a great volume OF black vapor rose from
the crater. This was filled with sparks,
like electricity. Then a shset of flame
like a huge blast furnace rose heaven
ward. | think the whole mountain must
have blown up. Again my vision OF the
flaming mount and the great black bird
rose In my mind, but now neither body
nor wings of bird, beast spirit lowered
between my eyes and the terrible sight.
This time 1t was no dream, but fearful
reality r.
"In another minute the air about us
was filed witk choking vapors. Ashes
and dust rained upon the deck OF the
vessel, which rocked in tidal wave.
"When we reached Santo Domingo we
heard that st. Pierre was totally blotted
out. and / shuddered at the doom from
which we had escaped"