Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1910-12-07
SALT SEA YARNS.
Signs and 0mens to Which the
Sailor Grimly Clings.
A JOKE THAT PROVED FATAL.
Superstition and q Guilty Conscience
Proved Too Much For the Norse-
man A Bucket Of Water ThEt
Stopped a Mysterious Mailing.

Stopped a Mysterious Mailing.
IL Is well known fact that I'm the
past the sailor was among the most
superstitious OF mortals. and even in
these enlightened days there are
goodly number OF old salts who cling
tenaciously TO their belief In certain
signs and portents. Some. no doubt.
OF these superstitions have vanished
altogether into the limbo OF forgot
ten things. but there viii always be
credulous few who will shake their
heads solemnly and prophesy dismaIly
II a knife is stuck In the mast or an
albatross or n stormy petrol Is cap
tured and brought on board. The
origin Of some OF these superstitions
cannot be traced. Many Of them have
been handed down from father 10 son
for a great number OF years. with a
touch probably added here and there,
turning a comparatively ordinary sto-
~ into a weird and mysterious legend.
The Finn is the most Superstitious
OF all sailors. There are many Of this
race who still believe in the ominous
portent Of the phantom ship. the folly
Of starting a veyage on Friday Ga no.
ton by no means confined to scafaring
mem. the low burning blue lights
which are ghost spirits lowering near
10 give warning OF approaching disas-
ter and many other things. all Of
which
FIJI the sailors mind with murmurings
And speak TO him OF wrecks
y story is told OF n brigantine which
numbered several extremely Supersti-
tiouS men among her crew. One night
when there was no moon and slight
ground swell was running the watch.
who happened to be the most super
stitious Of them all. heard an unearth-
~ wailinS coming apparently from the
very surface OF the sea. The mate and
the helmsman also heard ii. but the
former lacked imagination. and. al
though he was certainly interested. he
nearly blew the watch'S head of when
he vcntured 10 suggest mermaids The
helmsman did not feel quite happy. but
he had TO stick 20 the wheel The
watch was pale with terror but he
kept silence owing 10 the mates COM
plimentary references TO his courage
and abilities. Slowly the sound began
TO move along the ships side. becom-
ing more and more agonized as it ap-
preached This annoyed the mate. and.
going TO the side OF the vessel, be wait
ed until ne had located the sound and
then emptied bucket OF water over
the rail. There was a gasp. then dead
silence. and nothing more was heard
that night.
When the watch went OF duty be OF
course gave n detailed and lurid ac-
count OF the incident TO hts shipnates.
who listened. as he thought. in awed
silence and then called on one OF the
audience for his version OF the matter
This man, a Tyne-sidcr. who dearly
lOved a joke and had no respect at
all for hoary superstitions, had con
spired with his fellows TO play trick
on the watch. On the night In Ques-
ton he had crept over the bows with
out Il sound. carrying with him the
ships cat secured in q bag. Crouch
ing under the stays. the joker let the
cats head out OF the bag. which be tied
round the animals neck so that Il
could not escape. He then applied his
teeth 10 the unfortunate animals tail
Everybody knows the fearsome sounds
an angry cat Is capable OF producing,
and those to which n cat whose tail is
being bitten gives vent are among the
most hair raising. The sound was
more or less regulated by squeezing
the luckless beasts body The mates
bucket Of water was as unwelcome as
unexpected and caused the Tyne-sider
10 beat hurried retreat
Not only is the origin OF many sea
superstitions "wropt I'm mystery" but
also any logical explanation OF cause
and effect. 1t would puzzle any one to
say why IL should be unlucky for the
ships boy 10 whistle on the weather
bow. except that il Is generally un-
pleasant from Il music lovers point of
view for n boy 10 whistle on any bow
at all.
On one occasion superstition and a
guilty conscience caused a practical
| joke 10 have fatal consequences. The
incident arose through one of the sail
| ors, a Norwegian. boxing the ears OF
| the ships boy for the aforementioned
crime OF whistling on the weather bow
1 -NOl tue WIS InuOlCI
and determined 10 pay the Norwegian
out. Aided by two other sailors. 8
white shirt and some string. very
| presentable ghost" was arranged ii
the foc'sle on the night the NorsemaI
was on watch. he was 10 be allowed
only a glimpse OF the spirit" on enter
ing the foc'sle, and II was then TO van
ish from view. being jerked by means
Of a string underneath the bunk of on,
OF the jokers. Everything was ready
and the three conspirators lay in thei
hunks awaiting their victim. Unfor
tunately they all fell asleep. TO be sud
denly awakened by loud cry iron
the Norwegian. He stood gazing q
the ghost" the dim light shed by tn
lamp falling on his CHASTITY face. TIL
three were about to call out to hin
when he spoke. mo. no. he cried, ..
did not mean to kill you. Morgan! or
mercy. mercy" And he rushed madl
from the foc'sle. Terrified, his shiI
mates followed him, but as they reach
ed the deck they saw the Norwegia
throw himself into the sea.-Londo
Globe.
!