FOUND A FORTUNE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 454, 15 March 1890, Page 3

FOUND A FORTUNE.

Goon Luck or a Skitter Who Heeded a Dream. On October 13, 1799, Admiral Sir Henry Digby, then commanding the British frigate Alemene, on a cruise off the Spanish coast, shaped bis course for Cape. St. Vincent, and was running to the southward in tho latitude of Capo . Finisterre. At 11 o’clock at night Sir Henry rang his bell to summon tho officer of the watch and ask him, ‘ How are we steering ?’ * Southsouthwest, sir,’ was the reply. 4 What sort of weather ?’ * Tho same, sir, as when you left the deck ; fine, strong breeze, starlight night.’ * Are we carrying the same sail as at sunset ?’ ‘Yes, sir; double-reefed topsail and foresail.’ Digby looked at the officer of the watch attentively for a moment, and then asked whether, to his knowledge, anyone had entered the cabin. No one had been seen to enter. The officer of the watch then left the cabin and returned to the quarter-deck. At 2 o’clock in the morning the captain’e bell was again rung, the same questions repeated and the same answers given. 4 Most extraordinary thing,’ said the captain. * Every time I dropped asleep I heard some one shouting in my ear: “ Digby ! Digby ! Go to the northward ! ’ I shall certainly do so. Take another reef in your topsail, haul your wind, tack every hour till daybreak, and then call me.’ The officer of the watch acted in strict accorddance with these strange orders. When relieved at 4 a.m’ by the officer of the morning watch that officer expressed great astonishment at finding the ship on a wind. 4 What is the meaning of this ?’ he exclaimed. ‘Meaning!’ said the other. ‘The captain has gone stark, staring mad ; that’s all,’ and he told his story, at which they both laughed heartily. There being no help for it, these strange orders were strictly obeyed, and the frigate was tacked at 4. at 5, at 6 and 7 o’clock. She had just come round for the last time when the man at the masthead called out, 4 Large ship on the weather bow, sir!’ On nearing her a musket was discharged to bring her to. She was promptly boarded and proved to be a Spanish vessel laden with dollars and a very rich cargo of cochineal and spices as well. By this prize the fortunate dreamer secured a large portion of the great fortune which he had amassed in the naval service.