The Van Buren press., 1896-11-21
GHOST OF THE PENGUIN"
BY WILL LIsENBEE.

had laid at anchor IN the little harbor
at Bastia. She was 4 small schooner, 4
Weather-beaten, lubberly craft, with
her yards 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
of life visible, and | knew that Mug
gins must be ashore, filing himself
with rum, as was his custom when
Capt. Darke was absent.
Ny old friend, the captain, had beel
beating about the Mediterranean with
his lubberly schooner for half a score
of years, and so he might still have been
engaged, but for the arrival of letter
at Bastia telling him of neYlyin-
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, drew myself upon deck.
/ looked about me, but no one was
visible. 1t was evident that l was the
only soul aboard the Penguin.
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 / was interrupted by the sound of
oars, and a few moments later Mug
gins tawny head appeared over the rail.
He started when he saw me, and was
about to beat hasty retreat when my
voice stopped him.
BLESS me, l thought you were 4
ghost, did, by the powersl" he said,
seeming well pleased that his fears had
not been realized.
well, now, what the deuce is there
about me, Muggins. to make you think
me ghost?" asked.
"Oh, it isn't that you look like a
ghost, Mr.. Raymond" he returned,
apologetically. But, you see, when a
cove is looking to see a ghost, he's pref
ty certain to take the first live thing his
eyes fall on Tor what he's looking for"
"Then you were expecting to see
something of the supernatural kind %
That's Il fact, Mr.. Raymond, though
faint often a cove is believed when he
tells such a story. There's ghost on
this old hulk, or else I'm losing my eye
sight"
And you really believe in such non
sense?"
II believe what / sees, that's ALL"
"What did You see?"
well, since you ask, | don't mind
telling you. You see, since Capt
Darke went away and the crew was dis
charged, the Penguin has been under
my care, and | have been sleeping
aboard the vessel and spending most
of my time here. Last night about two
o'clock / woke, thinking | heard some
thing moving near me. was sleeping
in my cot on the deck. and as ! looks
about me | sees a woman, all in white
lhONihS Inc q TpSSttA liShp ny tht
hatchway. While / was watching, il
seemed to sink into the deck and disap
| pear. I'm not the man to run from {
single night-prowler, but felt queer
| like at this, and can't see how a woman
could be on the Penguin. Thinking she
might have descended the companion
ladder, | goes down with lantern, bu
finds nothing. Then | looks all over
the ship with the same result. | SLEPT
no more that night, and though lool
after the ship during the day, shan
sleep here again if l know myself, cal
it ghost or what you will"
With this he picked up lantern ant
descended to his boat that lay along
side.
Then l shall spend the night here
and lay your ghost for YOU" l said.
You'll greatly oblige me if you will,
he returned, though I'll be bowed j
| think YOU succeed. Good evening
Mr.. Raymond. I'll drop alongside earl,
in the morning and see how you hav'
Jared. There's the key to my cabin,
he added, tossing the key upon TIL
deck you'll find pipes and plenty o
tobacco, and sip of rum in decanter
ii you look close. Now again goo'
night to YOU
His oars dipped into the water, an'
he was gone.
Dusk was already settling over tn
water ! took a seat on the deck and ii
Il cigar, and began running over in m.
mind some of the events that had be
fallen me since my arrival in Corsica.
For more than three months l hat
been staying in the romantic littl
island, finding a restful charm in it
quiet seclusion that was pleasing con
trast to the life l had been spendin,
for the past two years in the gay capita
of the restless and pleasure-lovini
French.
One is not likely to expect TO NEE
with adventures of the thrilling kin,
in the peaceful precincts Of Bastia, ye
something bordering upon this ha,
come 10 my lot less than month be
fore.
For the amateur artist the quaint lit
tie city will furnish many subjects 70
the pencil and brush. and 1 had mad
good my opportunities since my ar
rival
The most priced among my collec
ton was the portrait of Veda. ;he littl
Corsican fruit-seller. There was some
thing fascinating in hervery pose, an'
the dark beauty of her face had draw
me q hrr as u by some subtle witcherl