"What he says is all shipshape," replied Ned. "I never yet met the man who really did see a ghost, though I've met scores who've heard of some one who's seen them, and for that matter come to fisticuffs with them; and certain sure I never see'd one myself till that young cheese-nibble made himself into one. Then, if he hadn't been found out, I'd have staked my davy that he was one in reality." "That is what the captain says," I remarked, as I stopped a moment. "All the ghosts which have been seen will turn out to be only shams after all." But enough of Bobby Smudge and his ghost. CHAPTER FOURTEEN. LETTER FROM MY UNCLE--CHASE OF MYERS--SUPPOSED LOSS IN PORTLAND RACE-- GOOD ADVICE--THE ARIADNE MISSING--MR. VERNON'S ANXIETY. Two days after this, much shorn of the pride and beauty with which we left it, we entered Malta harbour. As may be supposed, Mr Vernon hastened to the post-office as soon as he could get on shore. I accompanied him, with a note Captain Poynder had to send to the governor. His eye brightened as it glanced at the superscription of a letter which was handed to him. He read it over eagerly. "I hope, sir, that you have good accounts from your friends," I said. "They have had most provoking light winds and calms; and, when this letter was written, had not made good half the distance. Heaven grant that the _Ariadne_ may have escaped any squall such as crippled us." "Indeed, sir, I trust so," I replied; but as he again turned to his letter, I made no further remark. I found a letter also for myself, to my no little surprise, for I thought no one would take the trouble of writing to me. I did not deserve a letter, I felt, for I had not written a line to any one since I left England. It was from my uncle. I put it in my pocket, to read at my leisure when I returned on board. It ran as follows:--