l were to divide the night's watch between them,
the inventor sought his bunk.

The boys remained on deck a few minutes longer.

"We certainly are getting our share of adventures," remarked Jack.

"I should say so," answered Mark.

"Gollyation yes!" exclaimed Washington. "You-uns done most been eat by
dat air koslostrous specimen ob a parralleledon! I'm glad I didn't go.
But I'se brave enough!"

"What's that?" asked Mark suddenly, pointing to an object floating on
the water.

Washington turned to behold something white drifting along.

"Oh my good land ob mercy! It's a ghost!" the colored man yelled. "It's
a ghost! Land a' massy! Hide me some where, quick!"

Washington fell on his knees and stretched up his clasped hands in
supplication. The boys gazed curiously at the white object that was
slowly floating toward the stranded ship.

It rose and fell on the waves, with an odd motion.

"I wonder what it is," said Mark.

"We'll soon see," spoke Jack. "It's coming this way."

"Don't go near it! Don't touch it, boys!" pleaded Washington. "It'll put
de evil eye on yo', suah! Turn yo' haids away!"

But the boys were not so easily frightened. The white thing did look
queer, but Jack reasoned correctly that the darkness of the night
magnified it, and made it appear stranger than it probably was.

"I'm going to try to get it," said Mark.

The white thing was now quite close. It resembled a bundle of rags,
floating on top of the water, and, as it came nearer, it seemed to take
on a curious form.

"It's a baby! It's de ghost ob a little dead baby!" cried the colored
man. "Let it alone, I tell you!"

Indeed, now that Washington had suggested it, the boys could see a
resemblance to a child in the white object. But this did not deter them.
Jack secured a boat hook from where it was fastened to the platform.
With it he gently poked at the white thing. The object seemed to
collapse and Jack was conscious of a strange feeling. Then, with slow
motions, he drew it close to the side of the ship.

Lying on his face he was able to get a good look at the thing. He
muttered an exclamation.

"What is it?" cried Mark.

"Nothing but a newspaper!" announced Jack with a laugh, as he threw it
on the deck. "All our trouble for nothing."

"I shore thought it were a ghost," cried Washington as he got up from
his knees.

The boys went to their bunks. They were the first ones awake the next
morning, and Jack followed Mark on d