"Only a gust of wind passing through the dried boughs of
the canoe," said the boatswain: "but since we can get
nothing out of that crazed noddle of yours, see if you
can't do something with your hands. That 'ere canoe
running alongside, takes half a knot off the ship's way.
Bear a hand then, and cast off the painter, and let her
drop astarn, that she may follow in our wake. Hilloa!
what the hell's the matter with the man now?"

And well might he ask. With his eyeballs staring, his
teeth chattering, his body half bent, and his arms thrown
forward, yet pendent as if suddenly arrested in that
position while in the act of reaching the rope, the
terrified sailor stood gazing on the stern of the canoe;
in which, by the faint light of the dawning day, was to
be seen an object well calculated to fill the least
superstitious heart with terror and dismay. Through an
opening in the foliage peered the pale and spectral face
of a human being, with its dull eyes bent fixedly and
mechanically upon the vessel. In the centre of the wan
forehead was a dark incrustation, as of blood covering
the superficies of a newly closed wound. The pallid mouth
was partially unclosed, so as to display a row of white
and apparently lipless teeth; and the features were
otherwise set and drawn, as those of one who is no longer
of earth. Around the head was bound a covering so close,
as to conceal every part save the face; and once or twice
a hand was slowly raised, and pressed upon the blood spot
that dimmed the passing fairness of the brow. Every other