Page:The Naturalisation of the Supernatural.pdf/382

362 The next case was procured for us by Professor Romaine Newbold, of the University of Pennsylvania.

No. 79. From ", August 29th. 1900.

"This morning my wife and I reached this out-of-the-way nook, some forty miles by water, though I believe but twenty by land, from Bar Harbour, and a few hours after our arrival I got the details of a coincidence which I wish to record and send you at once.

"My wife's parents, Rev. and Mrs. Geo. T. Packard, and her brother Kent, aged 13;, have been spending the summer here. Kent met us on the wharf, and on the way up told me something about being 'chased by a white horse,' but I paid little attention to him. After dinner, while his mother and sister and I were talking over the happenings of the summer, Kent came into the room and said to his mother something—I did not catch the exact words—as to the dream he had some time ago about being chased by a white horse. Great excitement ensued, all began to talk at once. I scented something of value for the S.P.R., and succeeded in quieting the confusion. Then I made them tell their stories in due order and took them down in writing. From the notes which I then made I have written out the following account. It has been verified by the witnesses.

"(1) Mrs. Packard's recollections. (Kent heard her tell this, but was not allowed to comment on it.) At home in Boston, not long before they came down here, Kent one night had a severe nightmare. He began to scream, thrash about in the bed, and strike wildly in all directions. Mrs. P. tried to soothe him and finally got him awake. He said he had dreamed that a white horse was chasing him around a wharf. He was so excited that he slept but little more that night, waking and crying out at intervals. Mr. Packard was wakened