into utter nothingness. What say
you?'

"Said Jackson: 'I agree to all, except I do not believe in dreams.'

"'Well, well, we shall see,' said the Captain. 'It is a warning of some
kind.9

"That afternoon the vessel moved out of port in majestic style. The
steamer Fairy Queen was stylish and noted for speed. Nothing transpired
to cause any excitement until the sixth day out. They had spoken several
vessels on the voyage and found them moving on all right. On this day
they discovered a vessel far in advance of them. The Captain and Jackson
were on the deck, and concluded that it must be the Will-o'-the-Wisp.
That night they were coming close to her, when the Captain of the Fairy
Queen told them that the vessel in sight was the Will-o'-the-Wisp, and
that she was moving slower than usual.

"During the night, perhaps about two o'clock, they were aroused by
fog-horns and various noises. They arose and went out. It was dark and
the fog so dense that nothing could be seen. The fog-horns indicated
that the vessels were coming dangerously near to each other. The running
to and fro and the language of the Captain of the ship all betokened
danger.

"By this time the passengers were all up and out in so many different
garbs that it was laughable, though the danger was imminent. The two
vessels were nearing each other in spite of all that could be done by
officers or crews. Finally the Fairy Queen was turned and run in the
contrary direction from her course, and by that movement we got out of
the swing of the Will-o'-the-Wisp. All remained up, filled with alarm.

"In the morning the fog lifted, and again they could see their way. The
Will-o'-the Wisp was still in view, but seemed to be struggling. Nearing
her again they found she was crippled in some way. The Captain of the
Fairy Queen spoke her and inquired her trouble, when he found one of her
shafts was broken. The arrangement was being made to get her tow-line
and aid her on her way. Just as they were fastening it they saw a stream
of fire pour from her that looked as if the whole ocean was in a blaze.
Their vessel had to cut loose and move rapidly to save herself. The fire
seemed to leap into and out of the water, like great burning shafts,
seemingly reaching the very heavens. It would then play on the surface
of the water and reach apparently miles away.

[Illustration: The Burning of the Will-o-the-Wisp 284]

"There was no possible means by which any assistance coul