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!."Www@QuestionHome@Com