“What craft is this that hangs out no light?” said a gruff voice.
“I might ask the same question of you,” answered the albatross sullenly.
“I’m only a poor Will-o’-the-wisp,” replied the voice, “and you know very well that I have but a lantern to show.” Thereupon a lantern became visible, and Jack saw by the light of it a man, who looked old and tired, and he was so transparent that you could see through him, lantern and all.
“I hope I have not hurt you, William,” said the albatross; “I will light up immediately. Good night.”
“Good night,” answered the Will-o’-the-wisp. “I am going down as fast as I can; the storm blew me up, and I am never easy excepting in my native swamps.”
Jack might have taken more notice of Will, if the albatross had not begun to light up. She did it in this way. First, one of her eyes began to gleam with a beautiful green light, which cast its rays far and near, and then, when it was as bright as a lamp, the other eye began to shine, and the light of that eye was red. In short, she was lighted up just like a vessel at sea.
THEREUPON A LANTERN BECAME VISIBLE.
Jack was so happy that he hardly knew which to look at first, there really were so many remarkable things.
“They snore,” said the albatross, “they are very fast asleep, and before they wake I should like to talk to you a little.”