There could be nothing else. If a ghost, the question was: would it
appear again? If it did not, and I aroused the ship's officers, I would
make myself the laughing stock of all on board. And by the same token,
if it were a joke, my position would be still more ridiculous. If I were
to retain my hard-won place of equality, it would never do to arouse any
one until I ascertained the nature of the thing.

I am a brave man. I dare to say so; for in fear and trembling I crept up
the companion-way and went back to the spot from which I had first seen
the thing. It had vanished. My bravery was qualified, however. Though
I could see nothing, I was afraid to go for'ard to the spot where I had
seen the thing. I resumed my pacing up and down, and though I cast many
an anxious glance toward the dread spot, nothing manifested itself. As
my equanimity returned to me, I concluded that the whole affair had been
a trick of the imagination and that I had got what I deserved for
allowing my mind to dwell on such matters.

Once more my glances for'ard were casual, and not anxious; and then,
suddenly, I was a madman, rushing wildly aft. I had seen the thing
again, the long, wavering attenuated substance through which could be
seen the fore-rigging. This time I had reached only the break of the
poop when I checked myself. Again I reasoned over the situation, and it
was pride that counselled strongest. I could not afford to make myself a
laughing-stock. This thing, whatever it was, I must face alone. I must
work it out myself. I looked back to the spot where we had tilted the
Bricklayer. It was vacant. Nothing moved. And for a third time I
resumed my amidships pacing.

In the absence of the thing my fear died away and my intellectual poise
returned. Of course it was not a ghost. Dead men did not rise up. It