The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-26
GHOST OF THE "PENGUIN."
BY WILL LISENBEE.

BY WILL LISENBEE.
For more than week the Penguin
had laid at anchor in the little harbor
at Bastia. She was small schooner, 4
weather-beaten, lubberly craft, with
her wards splintered and one of her
masts broken, yet she looked strongly
picturesque, standing with bare poles
against the flaming sunset sky, as
allowed my little boat to drift before
the gentle breeze.
Aboard the craft there were no signs
gins must be ashore, filling himself
with rum, as was his custom when
Capt. Darke was absent.
My old friend, the captain, had been
beating about the Mediterranean with
his lubberly schooner for half score
of years. and so he might still have been
engaged, but for the arrival of letter
at Bastia telling him Of a newly-in-
herited fortune left him by an uncle
who had been living in Florence.
= But upon receipt of the goods new he
was off at once, leaving his disabled
schooner in charge of Muggins, an old
sailor who was more honest than sober.
AS my boat drifted alongside the
Penguin l perceived rope trailing
over the port side, and, making my lit
tie craft fast, 1 drew myself upon deck.
1 looked about me, but no one was
visible. 1t was evident that l was the
only soul aboard the Penguin.
l threw myself on camp-stool in the
shadow Of the sail and fell to regard
ing the range of dark hills that rose
back of the romantic little city. Pres
emily l was interrupted by the sound OF
oars, and Il few moments later Mug
gins tawny head appeared over the rail
He started when he saw me, and was
about to beat a hasty retreat when my
voice stopped him.
BLESS me, l thought you were 4
ghost, 1 did, by the powers!" he said
seeming we'll pleased that his fears hat
not been realized.
"Well, now, what the deuce is there
about me, Muggins, to make you thin]
me ghost?" asked.
''Oh, it isn't that you look like :
ghost. Mr.. Raymond" he returned
apologetically. But, you see, when ;
cove is looking to see ghost, he's pref
.ty certain to take the first live thing hi
eyes fall on for what he's looking for"
"Then you were expecting to SCI
something of the supernatural kind? ?
"That's a fact, Mr.. Raymond, though
faint often a cove is believed when h
tells such story. There's ghost o,
this old hulk, or else I'm losing my eye
sight"
And you really believe in such non
sense?"
81 believe what sees, that's ALL"
''What did you see?"
''Well, since you ask, l don't min'
telling you. You see, since Capt
Darke went away and the crew was dis
charged, the Penguin has been unde
my care, and l have been sleepin,
aboard the vessel and spending mos
of my time here. Last night about tw
o'clock l woke, thinking heard some
thing moving near me. was sleepin
in my cot on the deck, and as look
about me l sees a woman, all in white
moving like specter right by tn
hatchway. While l was watching,
seemed to sink into the deck and disaI
pear I'm not the man to run from
single ght-prowler, but | felt queer
like at this, and can't see how woma
could be on the Penguin. Thinking sh
might have descended the companion
ladder, goes down with n lantern, bt
iinds nothing. Then | looks all owe
the ship with the same result. sleI
no more that night, and though loo
after the ship during the day | shan
sleep here again if l know myself, ca
it ghost or what you will
With this he picked up lantern an
descended to his boat that lay alon.
side.
Then l shall spend the night hel
and lay your ghost for You" said.
You'll greatly oblige me if you will
he returned, though I'll be biowed
l think you succeed. Good evenin
Mr.. Raymond. I'll drop alongside ear
in the morning and see how you ha
Jared. There's the key to my cabin
he added, tossing the key upon Il
deck. You'll find pipes and plenty
tobacco, and sip of rum in decante
if you look close. Now again go'
night to YOU"
His oars dipped into the water, al
be was gone.
Dusk was already settling over t
water. took q seat on the deck and
cigar, and began running over in