Washington, however, was still kneeling down and praying to be spared from the attack of the midnight visitor. Jack limped over to the colored man.
"Keep still," said the boy. "It's gone now. What was it, anyhow?"
"Some ghost from de grabeyard," replied Washington.
"When did you see it first?" went on Jack.
"'Bout ten minutes ago," replied Washington.
"Well it's gone now," said Jack, though he had to admit to himself that the affair was somewhat puzzling. Professor Henderson had been awakened by the yells of the colored man and came on deck to see what the trouble was. He appeared somewhat annoyed when Washington told him what had happened.
"There are no ghosts!" declared the inventor in positive tones.
"You wouldn't say so, Perfessor, if you'd seen him," spoke Washington. "He were all in white, tall an' slim, an' big red eyes, an' a green nose, an' fire comin' from his mouth an'—"
"Nonsense," interrupted Jack. "It was nothing but a white object, Professor Henderson. I saw it."
"And what do you think it was?" asked the inventor.