D'ye know , Mistress Blythe '' -- Captain Jim lowered his voice -- `` I used to think that they looked just like what his old great-great-grandmother 's must have been when they were burning her to death . He never said much but he taught school like a man in a dream and then hurried to the shore . Many a night he walked there from dark to dawn . People said he was losing his mind . Everybody had given up hope -- the Royal William was eight weeks overdue . It was the middle of September and the schoolmaster 's bride had n't come -- never would come , we thought . `` There was a big storm then that lasted three days , and on the evening after it died away I went to the shore . I found the schoolmaster there , leaning with his arms folded against a big rock , gazing out to sea . `` I spoke to him but he did n't answer . His eyes seemed to be looking at something I could n't see . His face was set , like a dead man 's . '' ` John -- John , ' I called out -- jest like that -- jest like a frightened child , ` wake up -- wake up . ' `` That strange , awful look seemed to sorter fade out of his eyes . `` He turned his head and looked at me . I 've never forgot his face -- never will forget it till I ships for my last voyage . '' ` All is well , lad , ' he says . ` I 've seen the Royal William coming around East Point . She will be here by dawn . Tomorrow night I shall sit with my bride by my own hearth-fire . ' `` Do you think he did see it ? ''
demanded Captain XXXXX abruptly .
Blythe Jim John William days great-great-grandmother night sorter storm weeks