green teeth, attired in riding boots, yellow hose, and pointed hat,--as
the sailors assert they have seen him--then look out. Beware of
misfortune. Some awful fate awaits the ship, so the superstitious
sailors solemnly swear.

"I have not seen 'The Klabautermann'," answered Willy, "and I don't
believe there is any such spirit, although you are so positive about
it; but I have something to tell you that will surprise you more than a
visit from the Flying Dutchman's haunted ship, that you told me about."

"Well, let's have the surprise."

"Can any one play eavesdropper here?"

"No; no one at all. We are here all by ourselves aft and who is there
that would want to listen to us?"

"Redbeard and my uncle, but they are in the cabin, drinking and
gambling as usual. Last night, you know, Peppo had toothache all night
and couldn't sleep, so this afternoon I took his place in the kitchen
while he went up to have a nap in his hammock. He just came and told
me that he had overheard Redbeard plotting some dreadful thing against
us. Peppo couldn't understand it all, but he got this much, that at
the island to which we are coming today, or at the latest tomorrow
morning, he is going to send you ashore for drinking water. He has let
the water leak out of the casks. 'When Green goes ashore,' he said, 'I
haven't a doubt in the world but that the young one, who stands in your
way, will want to go with him, and the little Chinaman, whom I do not
trust, will also want to go--We can just send them, even if you don't
hanker after this plan. And--well--if they don't come back, why the