ntain wines of different sorts; and there are indications of wine
having been poured out into the glasses--some of them still containing
it. There are four sets, corresponding to the four chairs; and, to all
appearance, this number of guests have been seated at the table. But
two of the chairs are empty, as if those who occupied them had retired
to an inner state-room. It is the side-seats that are vacant, and a fan
lying on one, with a scarf over the back of that opposite, proclaim
their last occupants to have been ladies.

Two guests are still at the table; one at its head, the other at the
foot, facing each other. And such guests! Both are men, though, unlike
him in the caboose, they are white men. But, like him, they also appear
in the extreme of emaciation: jaws with the skin drawn tightly over
them, cheekbones prominent, chin protruding, eyes sunken in their
sockets!

Not dead neither; for their eyes, glancing and glaring, still show life.
But there is little other evidence of it. Sitting stiff in the chairs,
rigidly erect, they made no attempt to stir, no motion of either body or
limbs. It would seem as if from both all strength had departed, their
famished figures showing them in the last stages of starvation. And
this in front of a table furnished with choice wines, fruits, and other
comestibles--in short, loaded with delicacies!

What can it mean?

Not this question, but a cry comes from the lips of the two officers,
simultaneously from both, as they stand regarding the strange tableau.
Only for an instant do they thus stand. Then the lieutenant, rushing up
the stair, and on to the side, shouts out--

"Back to the ship, and bring the doctor! Row with all your might, men.
Away!"

The boat's people, obedient, pull off with alacrity. They are but too
glad to get away from the suspected spot. As they strain at their oars,
with faces now turned towards the barque, and eyes wonderingly bent upon
her, they see nought to give them a clue to the conduct of their
officers, or in any way elucidate the series of mysteries, prolonged to
a chain and still continuing. One imbued with a belief in the
supernatural, shakes his head, saying--

"Shipmates! we may never see that lieutenant again; nor the young
reefer, nor the old cox--never!"

CHAPTER SIX.

"A PHANTOM SHIP--SURE!"

During all this while those on board the man-of-war have been regarding
the barque--at the same time watching with inter