The emotion of the figure, in giving evidence of its materiality, had, more than all the signs of his master, contributed to allay the agitation of the old negro.  When therefore Gerald, urged by his irrepressible curiosity, in a whisper declared his intention to penetrate to the rear of the house, he was enabled to answer.

“For Gorramity’s sake, Massa Geral, nebber go dare.  Dis a place all berry bad for e family.  Poor Sambo hair white now but when he black like a quirrel he see all a dis a people kill—­” (and he pointed to the mound) “oh, berry much blood spill here, Massa Geral.  It make a poor nigger heart sick to link of it.”

Gerald grasped the shoulder of the old man.  “Sambo,” he whispered, in the same low, but in a determined tone, “I have long thought you acquainted with the history of this place, although you have eluded my desire for information on the subject.  After the admission you have now made, however, I expect you will tell me all and every thing connected with it.  Not now—­for I am resolved to see who that singular being is, who apparently, like myself, feels an interest in these mouldering bones.  As you perceive it is no ghost, but flesh and blood like ourselves, stay here if you will, until I return; but something more must I see of this mystery before I quit the spot.”

Without waiting for reply, he gently pushed the unlatched gate before him.  It opened without noise, and quitting the pathway he moved along the green sward in the direction in which the figure had disappeared.  Love for his master, even more than the superstitious awe he felt on being left alone, in that memorable spot, at so late an hour, put an end to the indecision of the old man.  Entering and cautiously closing the gate, he followed in the footsteps of his master, and both in the next minute were opposite to the mound where the figure had first been observed.

As he was about to quit the grass, and enter upon the gravelled walk that led to the rear of the cottage, he fancied he distinguished a sound within, similar to that of a door cautiously opening.  Pausing again to listen, he saw a light strongly reflected from an upper window, upon what had the appearance of a court yard in the rear, and in that light the dark shadow of a human form.  This he at once recognized, from its peculiar costume to be the mysterious person who had so strongly excited his curiosity.  For a moment or two all was obscurity, when again, but from a more distant window, the same light and figure were again reflected.  Presently the figure disappeared, but the light still remained.  Impelled by an uncontrollable desire to behold the features, and ascertain, if possible, the object of this strange wanderer, the young sailor cast his eye rapidly in search of the means of raising himself to a level with the window, when, much to his satisfaction, he remarked immediately beneath, a large water butt which was fully adequate to the purpose, and near this a