was only a small reptile,
and harmless, and quickly disappeared from view.

In a clearing, the boys built a fire, and sat around this, telling
stories and talking over the events of the day.

From one thing and another the conversation gradually drifted around
to ghosts, and Fred told a ghost story that was thrilling in the extreme.

"Don't you believe in ghosts, Hans?" questioned Sam.

"Not much, I ton't," answered the German youth. "Da vos all humbugs
alretty."

"Then you wouldn't run if you saw a ghost?" queried Songbird.

"Not von sthep," said Hans positively.

This talk set Tom to thinking, and on the way back to the houseboat
he called Sam to his side.

"I've got an idea."

"What is it?" questioned his brother.

"You heard what Hans said about ghosts?"

"To be sure I did."

"Well, I've got an idea for some fun."

"Good for you, Tom."

"We'll fix up a ghost."

"Oh, that's old."

"So it is; but this particular kind of ghost isn't old."

"What is it to be?"

"One full of pepper."

"Pepper?"

"Exactly. And when Hans hammers it--why, look out, that's all."

The matter was talked over for a few minutes, and Sam readily fell
in with his brother's ideas. Reaching the houseboat, the pair went
to one of the staterooms and procured a sheet and a bolster.

Then Tom ran off to the galley and obtained a box full of pepper.
The pepper was sprinkled over the sheet and the bolster.

"Now, we'll take the outfit to Hans' room," said Tom, and this was
done without the German youth being aware of what was taking place.

The others were then let into the plot, and just before retiring Tom
called Hans to one side.

"Hans, I want to give you a tip," he whispered tragically.

"Vot for?"

"Some of the fellows are going to scare you. They have fixed up a
ghost in your room."

"Is dot so?"

"When you go to bed, don't be frightened."

"Not much I von't pe, Tom. Maype I vos hammer dot ghost, hey?"

"That's the talk. Take a switch along and lock your door. Then you
can switch the ghost good."

"Ha! ha! dot's a goot blan," roared the German youth. "Maype somepody
ton't cotch him!"

A few minutes after that, the boys and the others separated for the
night, and Hans retired to his own stateroom.

As it was bright moonlight, no lights had been lit, nor did the German
youth make any.

Tom had deceived him completely, and behind his back he carried a
heavy switch. He intended to "lather" the ghost goo