Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-22
A Thrilling Case
Of Somnambulism

A number Of years ago the CON-
mumity OF Liverpool. England. was
much interested In case OF somnani-
bulism. which occurred on vessel
bound TO that place from India. II
was reported. on the arrival OF the
vessel. and subsequently communi-
cation ON the subject was made to one
OF the local papers. Its thrilling and
peculiar character renders IL well
worthy Of place in print.
AS passengers ON board OF this
vessel were Mr.. Mills. wife and child.
Mr.. Mills had for long time occupied
lucrative mercantile position In Cal
cutta. and was now returning TO his
native land to remain. The child was
bright boy OF ~ years. They
made u merry party on board the ship.
and were popular with passengers.
officers and crew. John Mills. the
boy. was an especial favorite. and had
the liberty OF every part OF the vessel.
One day the weather-beaten captain
at the boy as he ran about.
"a noble lad" said the captain. "Mr.
Mills. you ought TO be q proud father"
Thank you. captain" replied Mr.
Mills with tears Of honest pride and
Joy standing In his eyes. Il am
proud. can assure you. But do you
know that at times feel great dis
tress about him"
"Distress!" repeated the captain.
why. what about. should like to
know! He Is in the best OF health
he Is intelligent-his prospects In life
are good. What more do you wantT'
Il will tell you the trouble" said
Mr. Mills. with a serious face. Ever
since John was Ave years of age he
has been q somnambulist. His moth
or and myself are In constant appre-
hension that IN some of these spells
harm may come 10 him."
The kind.hearted captain at once set
to work to quiet the fears OF the ia
Their.
He'll outgrow it, am sure he
WILL" he said. Il don't think anything
will happen. But" he added as he
looked again upon the boy as he
bounded by: but I'd watch him. es.
pecially on board ship. for he IL too
noble . lad to be exposed to danger"
Days passed on. The weather was
favorable and every one on board was
consequently In good spirits. The
slant social interchanges and amuse-
ment In fact. the good old captain
declared over and over again that In
all his experience at sea he had never
had q more agreeable company. or
more satisfactory weather.
Matters were In this happy condi
ton one afternoon when there came q
sudden exclamation from Mrs. Mills:
where's john"
John - John. where are your"
shouted Mr.. Mills. springing to his feet
and rushing through the main cabin.
Hes safe ON deck. undoubtedly"
said one.
Hes with the captain" suggested
another.
BY this time Mr.. Mills was en- deck.
where he soon confronted the cap
tain.
Great Heaven. captain. where's
john" exclaimed the father.
Il do not know" replied the cap
tain. He Is not on deck"
The faces of both men were
bIanched. In an instant the ship was
In an uproar. No one had seen the
boy. With. frantic cries the father
and mother searched in every possible
place in the cabin. and the crew
searched the decks. A dreadful sppre-
hension was settling upon all. This
was that the boy had fallen over
board
At this particular time the captain
locked aloft. Not with any idea Of
seeing the boy. but Is q matter Of
habit and duty. All the sails we're
set. and It was not easy TO see all
parts of the rigging To the captains
surprise and Joy he discovered John
perched On one of the upper cross
trees.
Look aloft, look aloft," he cried.
There's the lad on the crosstree."
The passengers and crew at once
crowded near him
MY boy Is asleep, oh. Heaven,"
was the wailing exclamation Of the
father.
Mrs. Mills fell to the deck uncon-
scious at the terrible danger OF her
son. All were aghast with horror.
The ship paowed on Every sell
was full Of the fair and steady wind.
and not q sound was now heard ex-
cept the noise Of the ropes IN the
blocks and the falling Of the waves
from the bow. There sat the boy on
the crosstree. with one arm around
the. mast He wss evidently asleep,
sne at any instant. BY suddenly ava
king rnixhf fall 70 the deck or into