"Don't yuh think of any harm acomin' tuh the boat, sah. I'll give yuh my word they wont. And if so be yuh choose tuh stay over night, I'll use the key yuh left with me, an' put a man inside tuh keep guard, a man who would as soon shoot a thief as eat his bacon."
So the two chums started off.
The morning was delightfully fresh, with the sun shining overhead, and just a tank of frost in the air, enough to make them tramp along with a spring to their steps.
But before they had gone beyond the last cabin Thad gave utterance to an ejaculation of dismay.
"What's the matter now; forgot something? Hope the Marlin is loaded, and you picked up a few more shells for your pocket?" said his comrade, as they both stopped short.
"Oh, sure, I saw to all that. It's a different matter," mumbled
Thad, who seemed to be staring hard at something to one side.
Turning, Maurice discovered a tumble-down shack, around which several dirty white children were playing.
"What is it?" he asked; "didn't think you saw a ghost, again, eh?"
Thad shook his head.
"Nope. This was a live ghost, I reckon. And he had a fiery red-top in the bargain," he said positively.