distance. It might be the _Daisy_, or the _San Marie_, or any other
ship."

Kelson made no reply; Hamar blew his nose, and once again there was
silence.

The effect of the moonlight had now become weird. From the trees and
bushes crept legions of tall, gaunt shadows, and whilst some of these
were explicable, there were others that certainly had no apparent
counterparts in any of the natural objects around them. Even Curtis,
in spite of his scoffing, showed no inclination to examine them too
closely; but kept his face resolutely turned to the more cheery light
of the fire. The soft, cool, sweet-scented air gradually acted as an
anaesthetic, and Kelson and Curtis were almost asleep, when Hamar's
voice recalled them sharply to themselves.

"It's just two!" he said. "Sit tight and listen while I repeat the
incantation, and for goodness' sake keep cool if anything happens.
Remember we are here with an object--namely--to get everything we can
out of the Other World."

"Trust you for that!" Curtis sneered; "but all the same nothing's
going to happen."

"I am not sure of that," Hamar said, and after a brief pause began to
repeat these words[18]--

"Morbas from the mountains,
Where flow malignant fountains.
We are ready for you--Come!
Vampires from the passes,
Where grow blood-sucking grasses,
We are ready for you--Come!
Vice Elementals pretty
Give ear unto our ditty
We are ready for you--Come!
Planetians, forms so fearful,
We inform you, eager, tearful,
We are ready for you--Come!
Clanogrians, things of sorrow.
Postpone not till to-morrow,
We are ready for you--Come!
Barrowvians, shades seclusive,
Be not to us exclusive,
We are ready for you--Come!
Earthbound spirits of the Dead
Approach with grim and noiseless tread--
We are ready for you--Come!"

He then got up and, going to the fire, sprinkled over the flames six
drachms of belladonna, three drachms of drosera and one ounce of nux
vomica; using in each case his left hand. Returning to his former
position he drew with the forefinger of his left hand, on the ground,
the outline of a club-foot; a hand with the fingers clenched and a
long pointed thumb standing upright; and a bat. At his request Kelson
and Curtis carefully imitated the devices, each in the space allotted
to him.

Hamar then cried: "Creastie havoonen balababoo!"; which Hamar
explained was Atla