at the ghost
had done him some good at all events, though it certainly confirmed them
in their belief of its existence. Night after night, no sooner was it
dark, and the watch below turned in, than Dirty Bob's ghost was sure to
appear to some one or other; till at length the gun-room officers heard
of the matter, and ultimately the captain himself was informed of it.

At the same time a curious circumstance occurred. Every morning one or
other of the messes had to complain that their bread-bags had been
rifled, and different sorts of eatables had disappeared in a most
unaccountable manner. None of the men suggested for a moment that the
ghost had anything to do with the matter--for what could a ghost want
with biscuit, bacon, or cheese; but Captain Poynder, who at length heard
of this also, had, it appeared, formed a different notion on the
subject.

Two of the marines--steady old hands--who were ready to believe or
disbelieve in ghosts or spirits, and to fight carnal or spiritual
enemies in any shape or of any colour, as their superior officers might
command them, were sent for into the cabin. What their orders were I do
not know; but one of them, Jabez Cartridge, was placed that night as
sentry on the lower deck.

The first watch had nearly run out, and Jabez, who had his eyes about
him in every direction, had seen nothing of the ghost, when, as it had
just gone seven bells, he fancied that he observed a dark object gliding
about under the hammocks. He stood as upright and stiff as his own
ramrod. So immovable was he, that any one might have supposed him
asleep on his post; but his little black eyes were not the less
vigilant. The dark object moved slowly and cautiously on till it
reached the lockers, where the men's mess things were kept.

Jabez saw that it had hands, and, by the peculiar movement of those
hands, he came to the conclusion that it had pockets. Still a ghost
might have hands, and trousers too, for what he knew to the contrary.
To convince himself, he sprang forward, and the ghost, with an unearthly
shriek, took to flight; but Jabez was too quick for the phantom, and
grasping him tight, he sung out, "I don't care if you be a ghost or not,
but I've got you, at all events."

"Oh, let me go, let me go! and I'll lie snug and quiet till we get into
harbour, and then I'll leave the ship and never come back--that I
won't," answered the ghost, in piteous accents.

But Jabez was inexorable, and dr