The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1913-03-15

Old Torn Came Face to Face With
It Between Decks.
SCARED THE SAILOR STIFF.

Then when He Got Wind Enough q
Yell There Was = Lively Time
Aboard the Old Sailing Vessel Till
Mate Ended the Mystery.
OF course there is no reason why
ghosts should not be found on ship
board as often as elsewhere. AS .
matter OF fact. Jack. who is always
superstitious. sees his full share Of
apparitions This amusing story. told
BY the ghost himself. is found In Cap
tafn John d. Whidden's Ocean Life In
the Old Sailing Days.
Vhidden. boy of thirteen, was max
ing his first voyage. The ship WAS
hardly clear of land when heavy
storm set in. Whidden was feeling
wretched and in carrying breakfast to
the forecastle upset pan of hot scouse
on the head OF .'oid Tom at the foot Of
the companionway stairs The cutting
be had for this did not make him feel
any better An hour or two later. when
ped down the BOBBY hatch and WIS
soon fast asleep among some rope. cam
vas and oakum that were piled against
the forward bulkhead next the forecas
tie.
When he awoke it wins dark. but
SIGHT strea ming through some auger
holes in tie bulkhead and the sound of
voices brought him to his senses He
was surprised to hear the crew talking
about him, as II he were dead. and dis
cussing the manner In which be had
been swept overheard he heard old
Tom say, well. I'm sorry l hit him.
but the cub scalt every spear of hail
out of my head"
He had another long sleep. When he
awoke he heard the crew washing
down decks and realized that he was
perfectly well and very hungry. He
found barrel OF apples in the lower
hold. filed his pocket and shirt bosom.
climbed back into his nest. ate apples
and went to sleep again.
The next day old Tom was sent be
low to cut a piece OF rope from the
coils among which Whidden was hid
Ing. While he was saving at the rope,
the boy, disturbed by the noise. peeped
out Of the coil of hawser IN which be
lay and met Toms glance.
with whitened face and bullying
eyes," says Mr.. Whidden. .'he gazed
at me a moment. then dropping rope
and knife and emitting series of
blood curdling yells he dashed for the
BOBBY hatch. and disappeared on deck
Every one was aroused. heard the
second mate ask. What's broke loose
with your and all old Tom could
calculate was. I've seen him! I've seen
himr
Seen who?' yelled Mr.. Fabens
"sOh. the boys ghost! the pey's
ghostr Old Tom was nearly frighten-
ed out of his wits
..Mr. Fabens.' said the captain, get
a lantern. take that fellow below and
see what scared him.
$50 Mr. Fabens descended the ladder
with half the crew at his back. and
old Tom bringing up the rear. As they
came forward the mate called out
Where's your ghost? l don't see any
ghostr
Until now l had lain quiet. but feel
Ing that I was discovered | rose up tc
step out Of the coil Tom gave another
yell and broke for the hatch ladder
followed by half the men.
MIR. Fabens came up, reached over
lifted me out by the collar and march
/ ed me on deck, where | was at oncs
surrounded by officers and crew.
Captain King stepped forward ane
said. We'll. boy. where have you beer
for the last forty-eight nours?'
Between decks, sir l sheepishl.
answered
"'What have you been doing be
! tween decksg
sleeping. sir
"'What. sleeping two days AM
nightsT
mot all the time. sir replied
Had anything to eatg
Apples | ventured
".Where did you get the applesy
"'Out of the hold. sir. got the hea
out Of a barrel
"'Oh. you did Do you know you'v
been broaching cargo?' and ther
thinking the farce had gone ia
enough, for all hands were on til
broad grin. he said. sternly:
Now go orard. boy. and If 70
cut any more capers like that, you
get ropes ending you'll remembt
all your life Then. to Mr.. Faben
he added. Keep him up in his Ga
watch below for week and give hi
plenty of work
THAT ended his lecture. and l VS.
glad it was over and that l had e
capped SO easily. Going forward wit
the men. | was pleased to see the
hara ma pr in faItno pot ovau Tor