Year: 1873

OOh1OUO SASLs

 In that quiet time of the year when none of the dangerous and treacherous little storms so frequent in the Mediter- ranean-known to sailors by the name of white squalls disturb the tranquil serenity of its deep blue waters when by day the warm and brilliant rays oi the sun make the crest of every little ripple glitter and sparkle, till the sur face of the sea resembles dewy mead ow at sunrise and when at night the moon always rises clearly and brilliantly into deep blue expanse of cloudless sky, studded with myriads of stars that shine with softer and purer radiance than they ever do when seen through the foggy, misty atmosphere of our be- loved England.

 It was at such time, and such a night as this, somewhere between Bey- rout and Malta, that the noble frigate Aster was cleRing her way through the dark waters-so quietly and smoothly that, but for the phosphorescent line of light that she left in her wake, and the nipples of brilliant foam which she scornfully dashed, with murmur as of protest at their unwonted disturbance from her shapely bow, could an obser- yer have been near her, he might have thought that he gazed on some beaute- ous vision of ship, with all her belly ing sails gleaming white in the moon light against dark background of sky, instead of solid reality of oak and canvas, freighted with living men.

 Captain Richard Montague had left his orders for the night, and had turned in some hours before. The middle watch had been mustered, and were stretched about the decks, amongst the ropes, and between the guns, seeking such repose as the hard blanks afforded their weary imbs-lulled to sleep by the almost imperceptible motion of the ship, and the soft, cool breeze, which was just sufficient to fill the swelling sails. Lieutenant Jones, the officer of the watch, was pacing up and down on the quarter-deck, keeping a watchful eye on the sails and the helmsman, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his loose, easy-ftting monkey jacket, and whistling softly, to himself, "Home, Sweet Home" For myself, I was list less1y swinging my legs on the capstan, in peaceful and contented frame of mind, drinking in the placid beauty of the star-spangled sky, and letting my thoughts idly roam away to my far-off English home, in which direction they were probably carried by the soft, low whistling of the lieutenant.

 A tinkling noise was suddenly heard from below, and MT. Jones stopped in his walk and his whistling to listen.

 ''The captains bell sir, said l, jump ing off the capstan.

 And so it was, as the sentry informed us in due time, with the additional in- formation that I, the midshipman,. was wanted in his cabin. So down I went, wondering not little what he could possibly want.

 Now, Captain Richard Montague. who was in command of her Britannia Maiesty's ship Aster, was not crotch ety or fidgety man; nor had he any of those bullying propensities that, alas l! too many of our otherwise inestimable captains notoriously evince. He was 8 kind, courteous, gentlemanly man, firm, and straightforward; very different from the old school of clustering, swearing, rough and ready old sea-dogs that every reader of Marryatt's wonder full stories is inclined to associate with the idea of s'navy captain" He was one who maintained strict discipline in his ship, without the exercise of any undue severity. On shore he was jo- vial and affable to all, keen sports man, and an enthusiastic promoter of athletic sports, shooting matches, dra- matic performances, and games for the amusement of his men-inciting both officers and men to wholesome rivalry in such diversions, at all of which he was an adept. He was man habitually cool and courageous in time of trouble and danger, and won honors and dis functions for personal gallantry from a grateful country.

 But when went into his cabin on this particular night, he was not him self. Something appeared to have shaken the equilibrium of his habitually steady intellect, and I knew that 1t must be an affair of great importance, for his hand shook as he beckoned me to come closer, and he was looking pale and agitated in the extreme.

 He was in his dressing gown, sitting ing, and beside him was placed 8 glass of strong brandy y-and-water.

 He seemed about to communicate something; but, after some hesitation, appeared to change his mind, and ask

 

 ship below regularly during my watch, according to his orders.

 replied that I did.

 s'That's right" he said, apparently a little relieved. And then, after a pause, he asked me, with considerable earnest ness of tone and manner, if I had done so in that watch. .Izt-

 And, as he asked, he looked eagerly into my eyes as if to make sure that was not deceiving him.

 answered that I had, most strictly and conscientiously.

 He then asked me several other ques- tions of similar nature, to all of which suppose l returned satisfactory ans- wers, for he seemed much relieved, and dismissed me with short laugh, and a pleasant Goodnight. Thank you. , And before I shut his door I heard him mutter, "Pshaw folly p and laugh again. @ -

 To say that I was surprised by this extraordinary and unusal conduct on the part of Captain Montague would not express half what felt. There was much in the agitated manner of such a man to excite apprehension; for I knew him sufficiently well to be sure that he "ouAu Ao1 De 1rlSnIened Dy fancy. He was sensible, well educated man and I had heard him sometimes, when the conversation had happened to turn on such subjects, ridiculing in an unassum- ed manner the foolish superstitions of the ignorant and timid. I could not think that he was suffering from night mare, brought on by indigestion, for he was always exceedingly temperate. He had mt haap a1,far4ainin0 that evan;pn, and he was in good health. Besides, ]