Prevod
Reko Rappannock v Virginiji so nekoč vznemirjala senčna plovila, za katera so nekateri domačini trdili, da sploh niso čolni, temveč preoblečeni duhovi. Ene teh prikazni so se demokrati v okrožju Essex še posebej bali, saj so verjeli, da napoveduje zmago republikancev. Plovilo so prvič zabeležili kmalu po državljanski vojni, na večer množičnega zborovanja demokratov v Tappahannocku. Igrala je glasba, stregli so okrepčilo in vladalo je veselje, ko je sredi razvnetega govora neki mož v množici zavpil: »Poglejte, fantje! Kaj je tista čudna reč, ki pluje po reki navzdol?«
Ljudje so se pomaknili k bregu in v soju bakel zagledali ladijski trup, ki ga je nosil tok — trup nenavadnih oblik, povsem drugačen od vsega, kar je tam plulo podnevi. Ko je priplul vštric z množico, je svetloba bakel razkrila velikanske črnce, ki so plesali po krovu in se grozljivo pačili proti zbranim. Z barke ni bilo slišati niti glasu in tudi na klice gledalcev ni bilo odgovora. Nekaj čolnarjev si je drznilo odveslati na reko, a so se naglo obrnili, kajti plovilo je tako čudno zagrnila senca, da se je zdelo, kakor da se razblinja v zraku.
Naslednji dan so bili demokrati na volitvah poraženi, predvsem zaradi glasov temnopoltih volivcev. Leta 1880 se je barka spet prikazala in kakor prvič so tudi tokrat zmagali republikanci. Tik pred volitvami leta 1886 je gospod Croxton, demokratski kandidat za kongres, nagovarjal zbrane, ko se je razlegel krik: »Črna barka!« Pri ljudeh niso zalegli ne razumni ugovori ne posmeh. Zborovanje se je razšlo v molku in potrtosti, gospod Croxton pa je izgubil z razliko dva tisoč glasov.
Izvirnik
Rappannock River, in Virginia, used to be vexed with shadowy craft that some of the populace affirmed to be no boats, but spirits in disguise. One of these apparitions was held in fear by the Democracy of Essex County, as it was believed to be a forerunner of Republican victory. The first recorded appearance of the vessel was shortly after the Civil War, on the night of a Democratic mass-meeting at Tappahannock. There were music, refreshments, and jollity, and it was in the middle of a rousing speech that a man in the crowd cried, “Look, fellows! What is that queer concern going down the river?”
The people moved to the shore, and by the light of their torches a hulk was seen drifting with the stream--a hulk of fantastic form unlike anything that sails there in the daytime. As it came opposite the throng, the torchlight showed gigantic negroes who danced on deck, showing horrible faces to the multitude. Not a sound came from the barge, the halloos of the spectators bringing no response, and some boatmen ventured into the stream, only to pull back in a hurry, for the craft had become so strangely enveloped in shadow that it seemed to melt into air.
Next day the Democracy was defeated at the polls, chiefly by the negro vote. In 1880 it reappeared, and, as before, the Republicans gained the day. Just before the election of 1886, Mr. Croxton, Democratic nominee for Congress, was haranguing the people, when the cry of “The Black Barge!” arose. Argument and derision were alike ineffectual with the populace. The meeting broke up in silence and gloom, and Mr. Croxton was defeated by a majority of two thousand.
