torm.

Mr. Johnson, the mate, went forward and gave some order in a low tone.
More sails were taken in, all in a solemn and quiet manner. The brig now
lay motionless on the water while an uneasy expectation of something
threatening seemed to hang overhead. The suspense was terrible. Captain
Dodge paced silently up and down the deck but he spoke to no one and no
one spoke to him. It was now so dark it was almost impossible to see the
length of the ship.

Again Mr. Johnson came forward and gave another low-voiced command. Two
sailors, one of whom was Petersen, started up the mast to clew down the
main top-gallant sail. They had just reached the fore-top-gallant yard
when a strange thing happened.

"Look," cried John, in an awe struck voice.

"What is that?" demanded Fred in a frightened whisper.

"A corposant," said Grant. "I've read about them."

Over and directly above the heads of the two sailors appeared a light.
It was in the shape of a ball and hung to the very top of the mast.

"What's a corposant?" whispered John.

"I don't know," replied Grant, "except that that's what they call a ball
of light like that one. If it goes up it's supposed to be good luck, but
if it comes down it's bad."

"I wish Petersen wasn't up there," muttered Fred.

"Don't be silly, Fred," exclaimed Grant sharply. The tension was
affecting every one's nerves. It was almost pitch dark on the
_Josephine_ now.

"I can't help it," insisted Fred. "I wish it was some one else up
there."

"It's gone," remarked John suddenly.

"No, it isn't," George corrected. "There it is, down on the yard."

"It came down then," said Fred. "I knew it would."

"Don't blame Petersen," exclaimed Grant. "It's not his fault."

The two sailors had climbed down quickly after their task was completed
and now joined the rest of the crew. All together they stood and watched
the strange light until after playing about the mast for some ten
minutes or so it disappeared as suddenly as it had come.

Somebody passed the spot where the four boys stood. It was too dark to
make out who it was but the young sailors could hear him moaning and
groaning to himself. "Dat Finn," he groaned. "Oh, Lawdy, dat Finn. Ah
knowed it all de time. We sho' is goners now."

"There goes Sam," whispered Fred.

"Let him go," said Grant shortly.

"Here comes the rain," exclaimed John suddenly.

A few huge drops fell upon the deck and at the same time the darkness
seemed to grow