he mate, tossing the spirits down his throat, "and
it's no use either; you can't run away from a ghost; it's just as likely
to be in your bed as anywhere else. Good-night."

He left the skipper pondering over his last words, and dubiously eyeing
the piece of furniture in question. Nor did he retire until he had
subjected it to an analysis of the most searching description, and then,
leaving the lamp burning, he sprang hastily in, and forgot his troubles
in sleep.

It was day when he awoke, and went on deck to find a heavy sea running,
and just sufficient sail set to keep the schooner's head before the wind
as she bobbed about on the waters. An exclamation from the skipper, as a
wave broke against the side and flung a cloud of spray over him, brought
the mate's head round.

"Why, you ain't going to get up?" he said, in tones of insincere
surprise.

"Why not?" inquired the other gruffly.

"You go and lay down agin," said the mate, "and have a cup o' nice hot
tea an' some toast."

"Clear out," said the skipper, making a dash for the wheel, and reaching
it as the wet deck suddenly changed its angle. "I know you didn't like
being woke up, Dick; but I got the horrors last night. Go below and turn
in."

"All right," said the mollified mate.

"You didn't see anything?" inquired the skipper, as he took the wheel
from him.

"Nothing at all," said the other.

The skipper shook his head thoughtfully, then shook it again vigorously,
as another shower-bath put its head over the side and saluted him.

"I wish I hadn't drowned that cat, Dick," he said.

"You won't see it again," said Dick, with the confidence of a man who
had taken every possible precaution to render the prophecy a safe one.

He went below, leaving the skipper at the wheel idly watching the cook
as he performed marvellous feats of jugglery, between the galley and the
fo'c'sle, with the men's breakfast.

A little while later, leaving the wheel to Sam, he went below
himself and had his own, talking freely, to the discomfort of the
conscious-stricken cook, about his weird experiences of the night
before.

"You won't see it no more, sir, I don't expect," he said faintly; "I
b'leeve it come and rubbed itself up agin your leg to show it forgave
you."

"Well, I hope it knows it's understood," said the other. "I don't want
it to take any more trouble."

He finished the breakfast in silence, and then went on deck again. It
was still blowing hard, and he