In this classic short story by W. W. Jacobs, a sailor named Sam Small is on watch duty on a ship in the middle of the night. He is alone and bored, so he begins to tell himself stories to pass the time. He tells himself stories of ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural creatures. Suddenly, he hears a noise and sees a figure on the deck. He is terrified and believes it to be a ghost. He calls out to the figure, but it does not respond. He then realizes that it is a real person, and he is relieved. The figure turns out to be a young woman who had stowed away on the ship. She is trying to escape an arranged marriage. Sam helps her hide and promises to keep her secret. The next morning, the captain discovers the stowaway and is furious. He orders Sam to be flogged for not keeping watch properly. Sam is about to be flogged when the young woman steps forward and reveals her identity. The captain is so moved by her courage that he pardons Sam and allows the woman to stay on board. The story ends with Sam reflecting on his experience and realizing that he has learned a valuable lesson about courage and kindness.
By W. W. Jacobs · First published 1843 · Genre: Horror, Mystery, Fantasy