The Columbus journal., 1910-04-20
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laaRxV hCNlNFEO 1919


1T comes out under the forecastle.
SIR" broke in a coal HEAVIER named
Davis. 'Leastwise there's a trap In
the deck there, with a ladder leadin'
down."
iii finish the trip through, then.
for like to know what is under my
feet when / command a vessel Where
is the engineer. Anderson"
He waved his big hairy hand in the
direction of the boilers.
Went to his bunk to lie down for
an hour: he was about all in"
Are you capable of standing watch
alone in an engine room?"
The fellow grinned, his bulldog jaw
protrudins.
We'll, I've had to do II ON this trip
whether I'm capable or not. That
fellow can't stand it in here night an
day without no rest. l know how to
start an stop her. an watch the wa
ter gauge. II anything else goes
wrong he's easy enough called"
So it was Mcknight who was play
ing the antics OF a ghost on board:
Mcknight who had discovered that
unusual passagcway through the bulk
heads; Mcknight who had conceived
the idea that in this manner he could
brighten us into turning back. Well,
truly. l did not altogether blame the
man. and. now that my own fear of
the supernatural was allayed. did not
feel any desire 10 punish him severely.
Still. his masquerade must stop be-
fore he thoroughly demoralized the
crew, frightening them beyond all
my power of control.
l discovered the door concealed be-
hind the donkey engine. left 1t slightly
ajar behind me. and stepped forward
into the black passage. / had CROPPED
along to the very foot of the ladder.
feeling nothing but bare walls. and
hearing no sound except the slush Of
bilge water. when suddenly an mar
ticulate cry sounded almost directly
above; something, hatch cover pos
sibly. seemed to settle into place. and
the ladder shook under my hand.
drew back a step. permitting the fel-
the floor. My eyes. accustomed to the
gloom. enabled me to dimly perceive
his shape. 1t was no more than q
formless smudge he made, but
struck straight for what seemed to be
the head, and landed with q force that
dropped him like e log. In an instant
I was on top. clasping the canvas
sheet he wore tightly about his arms.
and throttling him against the deck.
He fought like a wild bull for a mo-
ment, thoroughly frightened and
whimpering. dazed by the suddenness
Of attack. yet following the animal
instinct of a struggle for life.
Damn you. Mcknight. lie still"
painted. I've got you. and you might
just as we'll take your medicine. my
man. Yes. that's gun you feel. and
/ know how to use 1t. So you're the
ghost of the Sea Queen. are you? I
guess you know what this means II I
turn you over to those fellows. don't
you?"
He groaned, and I ventured to re-
lease my grip on his throat. flinging
back the canvas from his head.
'Sit up. Well. I'll tell you. Mcknight
you would probably go overheard to
feed the fishes. Do you recognize
me-"
Yes. SIR" managing to find his
voice for the first time. You're Mr..
Stephens"
Right you are. and you can bless
your lucky stars that I am the one
who caught you. What started you At
this trick
1T was the Chilean. sir. Sanchez:
he said we could scare the whole out
it,"
did he do any Of the ghost play
ing?"
mo. sir: he didn't have the nerve.
but-but he rugged me up. and found
out about these passageways."
What was to do with the man? In
truth there was little l dared to do
under the circumstances.
Now see here. Mcknight" said.
soberly. you quit this thing for good
and all: II there Is any more ghost
walking done on the Sea Queen I'll
turn you and Sanchez over to the
men. Besides. there's no use resort
ing again to that sort Of trick. for
we're about at the end of our cruise"
You mean we're going to turn
north?"
Yes. Now il let you 60 will you
behave yourself?"
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