Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/62

42 this phantom; besides, I would rather think that our Doctor is joking."

"I am not joking," replied the obstinate Pitferge.

"Come, Doctor," said I. "Do you really believe in the dead coming back to the decks of ships?"

"I believe in the dead who come to life again," replied the Doctor, "and this is the more astonishing as I am a physician."

"A physician!" cried the captain, drawing back as if the word had made him uneasy.

"Don't be alarmed, captain," said the Doctor smiling, good-humoredly; "I don't practice while traveling."

next day, the 1st of April, the aspect of the sea was truly spring-like; it was as green as the meadows beneath the sun's rays. The April sunrise on the Atlantic was superb; the waves spread themselves out voluptuously, while porpoises gamboled in the ship's milky track.

When I met Captain Corsican, he informed me that the ghost announced by the Doctor had not thought proper to make its appearance. Undoubtedly, the night was not dark enough for it. Then the idea crossed my mind that it was a joke of Dean Pitferge's, sanctioned by the 1st of April; for in America, England, and France this custom is very popular. Mystifiers and mystified were not wanting; some laughed, others were angry; I even believe that blows were exchanged among some of the Saxons, but these blows never ended in fighting; for it is well known that in England duels are liable to very severe punishment; even officers and soldiers are not allowed to fight under any pretext whatever. The homicide is subject to the most painful and ignominious punishments. I remember the Doctor telling me the name of an officer who was sent to a convict prison, for ten years, for having mortally wounded his adversary in a very honorable engagement. One can understand, that in face of this severe law duels have entirely disappeared from British customs.

The weather being so fine, a good observation could be