More horrible still, it welcomed it with a dry, hollow laugh, which chilled the watcher to the immortal soul.
Slowly it neared where he stood.
It was opposite.
Then it turned its head, and at that moment, calling up all the courage which he possessed, the captain sprang, with a hoarse, gutteral shriek in his dry, hot throat, upon the figure.
Instantly the light disappeared.
He felt to his astonishment, even in his terror, his hands grasp something firm, and then he knew that the ghost's boney hands were round his neck.
But the reckless courage born from very despair filled him, and he exerted his tremendous strength as if he was using it against a human being.
He clasped the figure in his muscular arms and threw his whole weight upon it, forcing it gradually but surely.
Inch by inch, the figure gave way; the floor was reached, the captain with a cry of mad excitement forced it backward upon the stone, then raised his life-preserver and aimed a deadly blow at the skull face.
Then there arose a shout of warning and an oath from the white, skinless lips, and a man's voice came through them hoarsely and panting: