I fairly thought I had been done, and looked upon myself as the laughing stock of the entire fleet." "So far," remarked Jack, "your story has been all right, but the last episode was rather negligently handled." "How ?" inquired Willis.
"Why, you did not make enough of the coffin scene; your description is too meagre.

You should have said, that the wind blew without in fierce gusts, the weathercocks screeched on the roofs, and caused you to dread that the ghost of the defunct was coming down the chimney; large flakes of snow were rushing through the half-open door; a solitary rushlight dimly lit up the chamber, and cast frightful shadows upon the wall." "Well; but the night was fine, and there was not a breath of wind." "What about that?
A little wind, more or less, a weathercock or so, some drops of rain, or a few flakes of snow, do not materially detract from the truth, whilst they heighten the color of the picture." "And if some lightning tearing through the clouds were added ?" "Yes, that would most undoubtedly increase the effect; but go on with your story." "I knew Phil to be an artful dodger, and was determined not to be foiled by a mere trick, so I laid hold of a lantern and closely examined the walls and flooring.

My investigation was successful, for just under the coffin I detected traces of a trap-door." "'Well, my good woman, what have you got down there ?" inquired the lieutenant.
"'Is it underground, ye mane, yer honor?
divil a hail's there, if it isn't the rats.' "'Well, just remove the coffin a little aside; we shall see if we cannot pepper some of the rats for you.' "Here the old woman appealed to a vast number of saints, and protested against Kathleen's remains being disturbed.

The lieutenant, however, grew tired of this farce, and ordered the coffin to be shifted.

A sailor accordingly laid hold of each end.
"'Blazes!' said one, 'here is a body that weighs.' "'Perhaps,' said the other, 'the coffin is lined with lead.' "The trap-door was drawn up, and the lieutenant, pistol in hand, descended alone.
"'Now, my lads,' said he, addressing some invisible personages, 'we know you are here, and I call upon you to yield in the King's name--resistance is useless, the house is surrounded, and we are in force, so you had better give in without more ado.' "No answer was returned to this exordium; but we heard the murmuring of muffled voices, as if the rapscallions were deliberating.