Preface

Being in the bow, I had, of course, a better view
than from the bridge.   Presently I made out that the boat, which had all
along seemed to be of a queer shape, was none other than a Coffin, and
that the woman standing up in it was clothed in a shroud.  Her back was
towards us, and she had evidently not heard our approach.  As we were
creeping along slowly, the engines were almost noiseless, and there was
hardly a ripple as our fore-foot cut the dark water.  Suddenly there was
a wild cry from the bridge--Italians are certainly very excitable; hoarse
commands were given to the Quartermaster at the wheel; the engine-room
bell clanged.  On the instant, as it seemed, the ship's head began to
swing round to starboard; full steam ahead was in action, and before one
could understand, the Apparition was fading in the distance.  The last
thing I saw was the flash of a white face with dark, burning eyes as the
figure sank down into the coffin--just as mist or smoke disappears under
a breeze."