to go and tell them that they are cowards and
credulous fools; and I well know that the same men would face three
times their number with cutlasses in their hands."

"And I am sure, uncle, any one might be excused for mistaking that dark
object astern of us for a phantom wandering over the face of the deep,"
said Ada. "Even now, as I look at it, I can scarcely persuade myself
that it is the light, graceful speronara we saw during daylight; and am
far more inclined to believe it a being from another world--the ghost of
one of the old sea-kings one reads of--or, perhaps, a malign spirit
stalking over the deep in search of prey.

"Well, miss, the same sort of idea occurs to the mind of the uneducated
seaman as he keeps his silent watch at night on the mast-head or
forecastle; and when he sees through the darkness tall ships slowly
gliding noiselessly over the waters, and when no sign or signal is
exchanged, there is nothing to show him to the contrary. I don't mean
to say that there are many seamen that would mistake a ship for a ghost,
because they would not be worth their salt if they did; but a few may
have done so, and have told stories about them which have found plenty
of people to believe them, and tell them again."

"That's the way all the wonderful nonsense one hears spoken of has got
circulated," said the colonel. "But as I do not see much to interest us
in looking at that vessel astern--and there is nothing else visible--I
shall go to bed; and you, Miss Ada, must go to your cabin, so take
Marianna off with you."

Ada begged to remain a little longer; and, for a short time more, she
was allowed to enjoy the fresh air on deck. The night was very fine.
The sky was perfectly clear, and the stars shone brightly forth--but
there was no moon; and, consequently, her range of vision was much
circumscribed. The sea was covered with light waves, which, as they
rose and fell, scarcely had any effect in giving motion to the vessel.
The hue of the ocean was, in some places, almost of an inky blackness;
in others it was lighted up with phosphorescent flashes, which, seen
amid the surrounding darkness, seemed as brilliant as if composed of
real fire--their reflection being caught by the light foam which curled
on the summits of the dancing waves--while, on either side of the
vessel, a mass of scintillating sparks flew off as if her stern were
ploughing up a vast field with a sub-layer of gold-dust; and astern
appeared