He deposited the box in his own chest, upon which he sat down, after locking it.
He had obtained what he coveted, but somehow it did not bring him the expected satisfaction.
The gurgling cry of Mr. Manton kept sounding in his ears with a pertinacity truly appalling! The weird eyes of the man, gleaming and rolling in his head, also haunted the fellow's mind!
He rose, sat down again—then rose a second time, and threw himself upon his berth, trying to sleep.
After awhile he fell into a feverish slumber, and dreamed he saw the drowned victim come up, looking white and cadaverous, with clothes and hair dripping, hanging suspended right over his head!
In his terror he uttered a hoarse shriek, which not only waked him, but also the captain, who came rushing to his door, asking him what was the matter:
"Nothing—a nightmare I s'pose!" answered Brand, with a forced laugh.
The captain, satisfied, returned to his berth and slept again.
Brand, however, could not sleep. He was on deck before morning, when, with an involuntary shudder, he glanced astern, through the flying rack and scud of a gale which was rising.
Far in the distance he then beheld a bright light—a red, lurid glare, apparently shooting up from the sea.