"Oh! did you hear—did you hear all the ghoses and devils playing ninepins together in our very house?" she gasped, dropping into a chair.
As if in answer to her question, once more the phantom ball rolled in detonating thunder, the pins fell with a loud, rattling sound, followed by a hollow shout of triumph!
Cassy fell on her knees and crossed herself devoutly.
Alice clung in terror to her grandmother.
I felt that the time to play the heroine was come, and strove to exhibit self-possession and courage.
"Take up the candle, Cassy, and lead the way downstairs. We must go and search the house," said Mrs. Hawkins.
"Oh! for the Lord's sake, don't! don't! old mist'ess, honey! Don't be a temptin' o' Providence! Leave the ghoses alone and stay here, and fasten the door."
"I shall search the house and grounds," said Mrs. Hawkins, in a peremptory voice. "Therefore, take up the light and go before me."
"Oh! for de Lord's love, ole mis'tess! ef we mus' go, you go first, you go first; I dar'n't; I's such a sinner, I is!" cried Cassy, wringing her hands in an agony of terror.
Urr-rrr-rr-r-r-r-rattle-te-bang-ang!