nd crossed the port foc'sle in a bound. He joined the
white face in the other doorway, and disappeared with it into the outer
darkness.

Not a man save I--and Newman--had had nerve enough to turn out. Not a
man save I--and Newman--had seen that white face. Even Nigger had not
seen it; he had run out on deck through the starboard door. But my
watch-mates were awake and eager. "Is it gone?" they chorused.

"Yes," I answered gruffly. I rolled into my bunk, and turned my face
to the wall. My wits were still spinning from shock, and I didn't want
to answer questions.

"Where did Big 'Un go?" came from Blackie's bunk.

"How do I know? Stow the guff, the lot of you; I want to sleep."

But I didn't sleep. I lay there thinking about the face I had seen.
Nils' shadow, Nils' clothes--and the lady's face! The ghost that had
scared all hands was the lady dressed in Nils' clothes!

CHAPTER XVII

The lady brought Newman bad news. As I afterwards learned, the steward
overheard a conversation between the captain and the mate, and reported
it to her, and she immediately risked her masquerade forward to carry
the tale to Newman.

During the morning Newman said to me, "Watch your step to-day, Jack.
Trouble brewing."

I watched my step, but not until the middle of the afternoon watch,
when I went aft to relieve Newman at the wheel, did I see any
indications of a coming breach of the afterguard's own peace. I sensed
it then, before I saw it. Aye, as soon as I stepped upon the poop I
smelled the old air. The very carriage of the officers said that the
old times were back again.

Newman gave me the course. I repeated it aloud, as is the custom.
Then he whispered, hurriedly.

"I think he intends to lock me up. Help Deakin keep peace for'ard.
Remember, lad, my life--and hers--may depend upon it."

He started forward. I wanted to call after him, run after him, ask him
a score of questions and directions.

But I was chained to my task. I dare not leave the wheel. Neither
dare I call out. For Captain Swope had appeared on deck. He stood
lounging against the companion hatch, staring aft, in our direction.
Bucko Fitzgibbon stood by his side. They had suddenly appeared from
below as the helm was changing hands.

Aye, and as soon as I clapped eyes upon them I knew that at last hell
was about to bubble over. They had thrown off the masks of meekness
that so ill fitted them. Fitzgibbon was truculence person