Page 99 (1/1)

"And what then?" I derily "Am I a raree show to be peeped at and watched and spied upon?"

"Anan, pal--watched, d'ye say?"

"Aye, stared at through the knot-hole yonder awhile since by you or Penfeather"

"Never knowed there was a knot-hole, Mart'n," said he in the sa, "and as for Cap'n Adah you this two days But 'tis all one, pal, all one--this ship do be haunted And as for eyes a-watching of ye, Martin, who should it be but this here ghost as walketh the ship o'nights and oodthe ale he had brought "What talk is this of ghosts?"

"What's yon?" he whispered, starting up, as a rustling sounded beyond the door

"Mere rats,about him, "'tis a chancy place this I don't kno ye can abide it"

"I've knoorse!" said I

"Then ye don't believe in spectres, Mart'n--ghosts, pal, nor yet phantoe talk a as do haunt the 'tween-decks--"

"Aye, I've overheard some such!" I nodded "But, look ye, I've haunted the ship , pal?"

"No What thing should I see?"

"Who knows, Martin? But the sea aren't the land, and here on these astes o' waters there's chancy things beyond any man's wisdom as any mariner'll--ha, what's yon?" says he under his breath and whipping round, knife in hand "'Twas like a shoeless foot, Mart'ncreeping , he tore open the door and I saw his knife flash as he sprang into the darkness beyond; as for me I quaffed hty careful) and sinking upon the upturned cask, mops at his brow

"Content you, Godby," says I, "here be no ghosts--"

"Soft, lad--speak soft!" he whispered "For--Lord love you, Mart'n, 'tis worse than ghosts as I do fear! Dog bite s aboard us this last two nights"

"How so, Godby?" I questioned, lowering my voice in turn as I host or what ye will--has took three hts There's Perks o' Deptford, McLean as hails froood one! And, O pal, wi' never a mark or trace to tell how!"

"Lost! D'ye mean--overboard?"

"No, Mart'n, I mean--lost! And each of them i' the middle watch--the sleepy hour, Mart'n, just afore dawn In a fair night, pal, wi' a calo And all of 'em prime sailor- who'll be next"