"Luck left us from that time; we never took a prize afterwards.
"Our Vessel was captured by a Spanish cruiser soon afterwards. I, with one other, succeeded in making our escape.
"The captain, and all the rest, who were not killed in the battle, were strung out on the yard-arm."
"Does the ghost never speak to you?" asked the Parson.
"Never," replied Old Ropes.
"I suppose that's because she's a Spaniard, and thinks you don't understand her language," remarked the Parson, sneeringly. "I wonder why this ghost of the cave don't show himself, and not try to frighten us with his horrible boo-wooing."
"Well, you may make as much fun as you please," replied Old Ropes; "but, mark my words for it, if the captain don't pay attention to the warning he has had, that ghost will show himself in a way that won't be agreeable to any of us."
"If he takes my advice, he'll leave the cave, and take up his quarters somewhere else."
"What! you don't mean to say you're afraid!" quietly remarked the Parson.
"Put an enemy before me in the shape of flesh and blood, and I'll show you whether I'm afeard, or not," said Old Ropes; "but this fighting with dead men's another affair. The odds is all agin you. Lead and steel wont reach 'em, and the very sight on 'em takes the pluck out of a man, whether he will or no.