"At de Henley plantation, sah? Why, I reckon de oberseer an' de
housekeeper--both white folks. I done don't know just who dey am fer
shure, cause dey don't stay long no more. I reckon dey can't abide dat
ghost, sah, an' de field han's dey won't stay on de place at all affer
dark."

"The overseer and housekeeper then are newly employed?"

"Dem am de fac's, sah. Deh ain't been dar no time at all, an' I reckon
as how dey won't stay long, though de niggers say de oberseer am a hell
ob a man."

Here was a pleasant situation surely. While the conditions were
favorable enough so far as our purpose was concerned, yet I fervently
wished we had postponed our arrival until daylight. While the negro's
ghost had no terrors for me--indeed, merely afforded amusement--I
realized my companion was not so indifferent. She pressed closer to me
in the narrow seat, her eyes on the dusky shadows. I endeavored to
laugh away her fears, but got little response. The road was a lonely
one, although apparently well traveled, bordered by rail fences and,
deserted-looking fields. Once we passed through a swamp, and skirted
the edge of timber. Then we turned to the right into a branch track,
where low bushes brushed our wheels. By this time it was quite dark,
and Pete was obliged to hold in his horses. There was a quarter moon
in the sky, just enough to give everything a spectral look, with no
human habitation visible, and owls hooting dismally in the distance.
It was uncanny in the extreme, and even I felt the desolation, and
became silent. Pete whistled stoutly, but without enthusiasm,
occasionally turning his head to make sure we were still there. I