File:Master Rockafellar's voyage (1913) (14761517234).jpg

Identifier: masterrockafella00russ (find matches)
Title: Master Rockafellar's voyage
Year: 1913 (1910s)
Authors: Russell, William Clark, 1844-1911
Subjects:
Publisher: London : Methuen and Co.
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
eavy aweight upon the spirits, that the noisiest amongstus insensibly softened his voice to a whisper whenhe had occasion to speak. I particularly noticedthis when some of the watch came aft to clew upthe main topgallant sail and snug the main sailwith its gear ; there was no singing out at theropes ; instead of the hoarse peculiar songs sailorsare wont to deliver when they drag, the menpulled silently as ghosts, and not a syllable fellfrom them that was audible to us when they wereupon the yard rolling the sail up. I was holding on to a belaying pin to steadymyself when there suddenly shone out a lightupon the boom iron at the extremity of the main-yard. It was of a greenish hue, sickly somewhat,so as to make one think of a corpse-candle or agraveyard Jack-o-lantern. It swayed as a bladderwould or as a soap-bubble might ere it soars fromthe pipe out of which it is blown. It had somepower of illuminating in spite of its wan complex-ion, for I observed that it threw a very feeble light
Text Appearing After Image:
SUDDENLY SHONE OUT A I.IGIIT. HE SEES A STRANGE LIGHl. 257 upon the clew of the sail, and that, as the shiprolled the yard-arm on which it shone towards thesea, the huge, round, ebony black swell mirrored itin the shape of a dull star like a phosphoric jelly-fish. I had never seen such a sight before, nor indeedhad I ever heard of the like of such a thing. I wasstanding close to Poole at the time, and he said tome— What do you think it ? Why, but what is it ? I responded. A spirit of the sea! he exclaimed in asepulchral voice ; the ghost of a dead sailor whohas grown tired with flying and is resting himselfon the yard-arm. The souls of dead seamenalways carry lanterns with them to show them theroad on dark nights after this pattern. As he spoke the fiery exhalation disappeared. Ha ! hes started again ! cried Poole. Hellmeet with another ship presently and take anotherspell of rest. A very good explanation, Mr. Poole, exclaimedthe voice of the mate, but not strictly scientific,sir. H

Note About Images