DISAGREEABLE VISITORS. 67

on those sampans, and discharge one chamber of the
revolver in case you want to summon me to the deck
quickly.”

Then, before she could make any further protest, Ben,
with a weapon in his hand, went hurriedly forward, stop-
ping at the galley only long enough to call Uncle Eliphalet,
as he said:

«Light a lantern, and come into the forepeak with me.”

« Bress de Lawd, cap’n, sah, is you gwine fur ter snoop
down on dem yere ghostes? Don’ do it, sah, don’ do
it!”

«Hold your tongue, and do as I tell you!” Then,
noting the fact that the old fellow was in such a condition
of abject terror as to render him almost useless as an as-
sistant, Ben added in a more friendly tone, “ There are no
ghosts here, uncle; but Miss Dunham and I have an idea
some of those yellow scoundrels may have come on board,
and are in hiding, ready to slip out on us when their
friends give the signal. Now look alive with that lantern,
for we may not have many minutes left in which to clear
the rats out of this craft.”

Uncle Eliphalet was more willing to face any number
of live Chinamen, although he was by no means what
would be called a brave darkey, than to venture where the
slightest suspicion of a ghost might be entertained, and
at once began to display considerable alacrity in obeying
the captain’s command.

After he had lighted the lantern, Eliphalet seized two
of the well-sharpened knives, although how he could have