История о корабле призраке

           AllatonceIthoughtIheardvoices,andthestepsofmenuponthedeck. Iwishedtoariseandseewhatitwas,butastrangepowerfetteredmylimbs,andIcouldnotonceopenmyeyes. Butstillmoredistinctbecamethevoices;itappearedtomeasifamerrycrewweremovingarounduponthedeck. InthemidstofthisIthoughtIdistinguishedthepowerfulvoiceofacommander,followedbythenoiseofropesandsails. Graduallymysensesleftme;Ifellintoadeepslumber,inwhichIstillseemedtohearthedinofweapons,andawokeonlywhenthesunwashighintheheavens,andsentdownhisburningraysuponmyface. Fullofwonder,Igazedaboutme;storm,ship,thebodies,andallthatIhadheardinthenight,recurredtomeasadream;butwhenIlookedaround,Ifoundallasithadbeenthedaybefore. Immoveablelaythebodies,immoveablywastheCaptainfastenedtothemast;Ilaughedatmydream,andproceededinsearchofmyoldcompanion. 

           Thelatterwasseatedinsorrowfulmeditationinthecabin. "Omaster,"heexclaimedasIentered,"ratherwouldIlieinthedeepestbottomofthesea,thanpassanothernightinthisenchantedship. "Iaskedhimthereasonofhisgrief,andthusheansweredme:— 

           "WhenIhadsleptanhour,Iawoke,andheardthenoiseofwalkingtoandfroovermyhead. Ithoughtatfirstthatitwasyou,buttherewereatleasttwentyrunningaround;Ialsoheardconversationandcries. Atlengthcameheavystepsuponthestairs.