"
"It knows more than we do," said one of the crew, shaking his head.
"That time you--I mean we--ran the smack down, that cat was expecting of
it 'ours before. It was like a wild thing."
"Look at the weather we've 'ad--look at the trips we've made since he's
been aboard," said the old man. "Tell me it's chance if you like, but I
KNOW better."
The skipper hesitated. He was a superstitious man even for a sailor, and
his weakness was so well known that he had become a sympathetic
receptacle for every ghost story which, by reason of its crudeness or
lack of corroboration, had been rejected by other experts. He was a
perfect reference library for omens, and his interpretations of dreams
had gained for him a widespread reputation.
"That's all nonsense," he said, pausing uneasily; "still, I only want to
be just. There's nothing vindictive about me, and I'll have no hand in
it myself. Joe, just tie a lump of coal to that cat and heave it
overboard."
"Not me," said the cook, following Sam's lead, and working up a shudder.
"Not for fifty pun in gold. I don't want to be haunted."
"The parrot's a little better now, sir," said one of the men, taking
advantage of his hesitation, "he's opened one eye."
"Well, I only want to be just," repeated the skipper.
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