The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE BOUND SHIP. 19 be revealed to mortal eyes, or deem them the off- spring of superstition. ‘*Tf we succeed in our entorprise, which for the ’ present must remain asecret,’’ he continued, ‘‘future ages will honour us as heroes, rather than despise us as pirates, while our immediate reward will be incalculable and everlasting. The exhortations of Paul Jones animated the crew, and were strengthened by a discovery that an extraordinary shoal of fish was nearing the vessel. ‘‘Cast out your nets from the shallop’s side,” cried the pirate,” while I take my stand at the bow- sprit. ‘“‘ Bring mea spear,” he added, “that I may launch its force on our slippery prey, should they attempt to burst from our tackle.” The weapon was brought and placed in his hand, while he eontinued to address those around him, who seemed to ask by their looks the motive for so singular a request. Paul Jones soon satisfied curiosity, by giving his observers to understand that his service was neces- sary and one of danger, and he was bound to show an example to others by a cheerful and ready obedi- ence to commands unconditional. ‘‘Mariners say,’’ he remarked, “that many a monster slumbers beneath these arctic depths, al- though I, who have trod the deck from childhood, must confess I have never bcheld a sight which could appal me. Be that as it may, if there be aught in these strange weters that may strange fea- tures show to man, that being I challenge and its terrors I defy, be it fearful or beautiful, fair or loathsome! ‘‘ And now, by this tcken I cast in the waves, I woo me a bride irom these fathomless caves ; And be she but fair, by the heavens above. I will love Ler as well as a mortal can love.” As Paul Jones ceased to speak, to the wonder and amazement of the pirate crew, he threw the spear he had asked for into the sparkling main below him. He had no sconer done so, than a scream of agony pierced the air, anda sight, never to be forgotten, tollowed that which now appeared to all an impious deed. The waves literally bled; for their azure and briny face at once was crimsoned over with stream- ing blood, which, flowing around the buccaneers’ bark, swam her on a gory and sanguine sea. The pirates who witnessed this hideous spectacle were for the moment too terrified to offer any re- monstrance, while their chief, who glanced at the pale features around him, mocked at the ominous token and laughed at their fears, exclaiming— ‘Fools! ’tis but the blood of a Northern whale! You are stout seamen, truly, to tremble at that which should frighten only young maids and chil- dren!” ‘Captain,’ returned Black Bill, who seemed to he the first to recover from the general trepidation, ‘‘no whale’s blood could tinge old Neptune’s realm with such a vast hue; and if we are for ever to pass signals with the Flying Dutchman, whom I suspect is again hatching mischief for us in these latitudes, I shall wish for a short turn of rope and a leap fron the yard-arm.” “The time was,’ returned the pirate chieftain, ‘“‘ when the crew of Paul Jones knew danger only as a word. Blood and flood has assiled us, without the chance of staying either, yet no man’s heart failed him. ; ‘But a truce to this,” continued the speaker. ‘I am your captain, and a mortal like yourselves, and my assistance may avail you in the present strait, if you are not too proud, as well as craven, to be counselled.” Heap upon seamen every disaster, such as the wind, the elements, or the enemy, and they will bear up against them with a courage amounting to heroism, provided there is a plank between them and death; but let them learn (for they are all superstitious) that they are battling with the arch foe of the human race, and at once they lose confi- dence and energy, while, at the same time, they become paralysed, subdued, aud beyond the power of every control. Such feelings had now taken possession of many of those on board the El Malachor, deeming her captain as one supernatural they set at nought that influence which he had hitherto commanded by resolution and fortitude. Apprehension and awe were so deeply rooted in their breast that, despite the threats and jests of the skipper, not one of his crew, when they beheld the decline of day, would remain on deck. While they vowed in secret through that night that should the vessel sink or swim, no man in the vessel should keep the lonely watch, which to add to the general misgiving, Paul Jones had thoughtlessly imposed upon himself. Gloomily the clouds gathered, as the captain trod the deck alone. Unlike the night of a north-polar sea, neither a star nor a moonbeam appeared in the heavens where, during its brief summer, the silvery sun seldom fades and, even at the hours of southern darkness, gleams as brightly as he gleams in opening day. It was in the midwatch that Paul Jones beheld, not without vivid interest, ashadowy form rise as it were from the tide. Sbe appeared a female of unspeakable beauty, with eyes dark as the gazelle’s, and features that might have enchained an anchorite. Around her a pallid blue radiance was beaming, and in the halo of light could clearly be distinguished the presence of some spirit that had emerged from the mighty deep. Her sea-coloured mantle was streaming with the ocean. Her right hand held the very spear which the pirate chief had cast into the waters, to the dismay of his followers, and who were now forgetting their vain terrors in sleep. Paul Jones gazed on the apparition in wonder but without fear, as it ascended the vessel and stood by his side in a motionless posture. For some moments he remained in mute astonish- ment, and at length murmured forth the interro- gation— ** Who art thou ?”’ ‘A friend,” replied the figure, in accents that rang upon the pirate’s ear like music. “ Are you a spirit?” he demanded. “Tt matters not. I am a friend,’ rejoined the figure. “ On what errand do you come here?” asked Paul Jones. “To save you,” answered the figure. ‘“ Your life is menaced by those who should favour you—you shall go hence with me if you choose.” ‘On what condition ?” “We will speak of that when we are out of the vessel,’ returned the figure, who continued to ad- dress the pirate thus— ‘By this spear and token, I bring from the sea My love, thou must know I am wedded to thee, 'i‘hat shriek was the answer | gave thy demand My blood was the sign I accepted thy hand, For to me did’st thou swear, by the heavens above, Thou would’st love as well as a mortal can love, P Conn) CLNOOKS. Go