The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-08-25

"I'm the ghost of Captain Kid" was
the reply in sepulchral voice.
Captain Kidd was one of .Billy's pei
heroes.
"Be you a-lookin' for some of the gold
you buried?" asked Billy.
"Yesw answered the ghost. eff you'll
dig by the old oak tree down by the bend
in the river, maybe you'll find pot Of
it there.
"I'll see about it," answered Billy.
"But if you're Captain Kidd b'leeve ]
will thrash ye for yer wicked doin's. I'm
goin' to-"
And like a flash Billy sprang at the
ghost and seized him by the arm. He
had long, tough stick of hickory in his
hand, and he laid it over Franks shoul.
der in way that made him yell with
pain.
Don't, Billy, dont!' cried Frank,
trying to get away, but Billy's strong
hand held him in grasp of iron. "Let
me go, please! did it just to have some
fun with your
San I'm havin' some fun with you,
jest as 1 said would if ever see a
ghost" said Billy. II didn't s'pose I'd
see one so soon, an here I be layin' it
onto Cap'n Kidd. I say, Cap'n, I like to
hear about We, but don't you go 'pearin'
to me very often, or I'll make it un-
healthy for We, for I reckon I'll hev to
thrash We for old doin's ev'ry time can
lay hands on ye. You didn't have any
marcy on folks. an won't on you"
And thick and fast fell the blows on
Franks back.
Roscoe, why don't you help? He's
killing mew screamed Frank, but Roscoe
dared not interfere.
"Hev We got some relation round here,
Cap'n? If you hev, I'll give them goin'
over too, now I've got my hand in. I
can do it jest as well as not"
Roscoe had no doubt of his ability to
do it if the opportunity was offered. He
didn't intend TO offer him the oppor-
tunity, however, so he climbed over q
fence and took a bee line for home.
When Billy felt satisfied that he had
given the ghost of Captain Kidd some
of the punishment that rather mythical
person deserved, if tradition is true, he
relaxed his hold, and Frank freed him
self and left the scene of his ghostly ex-
ploits in q manner more expeditions
than dignifed. If ever there was q
thoroughly demoralized ghost, he was
the one.
ooh. my! but amt it funny?" Billy
chuckled. "And Captain Kidd's ghost,
tool" And it was weeks before he got
over chuckling.
The next day he came over to see the
boys.
II see ghost last night" he said to
Roscoe.
Frank wasn't to be seen. He was sick,
Roscoe said.
Roscoe looked foolish, but asked no
questions.
"An' it was Cap'n Kidd's ghost" went
on Billy, solemnly. ooh, you needn't
look s eff you didn't b'leeve me-" to
Jake. II grabbed hold ont an whaled
it with hick'ry stick, an / want a
bit afraid ont, nuther."
Many time after that Billy told
them about his adventure with the
ghost of Cap'n Kidd, and always SO
soberly that they really believed, at
last, that he thought he had seen q
ghost, and did not suspect their connec-
ton with the affair. So he got the
credit Of being brave enough to face
what he really supposed was q visitor
from the dead.
If they could have know just what he
knew about it, they could have easily
accounted for his bravery.
Franks back was sore for q week.
Every time he stirred for day or two
it made him groan and every time he
groaned he made up his mind that you
neverd catch him playing ghost again.
If there was any fun in it, he didn't
find il.