"She is bearing down upon us," said Fritz.
"Just let me see a moment whether I can make out her figure-head," said Willis. "Aye, aye!"
"Can you make it out?"
"No; but, from the sheer of the hull, I think the ship is British built."
"Thank God!" exclaimed both the young men.
"Yes, you may say 'Thank God;' but, if it turns out to be a man-of-war, I must report myself on board, and I doubt whether my story will go down with the captain."
"But if it is the Nelson?" insisted Jack.
"Aye, aye; the Nelson," replied Willis, "is not going to turn up here to oblige us, you may take my word for that."
"I have better eyes than you, Willis; just let me see if I can make her out. No, impossible; nothing but the hull and sails."
"It is just possible," persisted Jack, "that the Nelson may have been detained at the Cape, and afterwards blown out of her course like ourselves."