Then he shouted—
"Down with the helm!"
Instantly the sails quivered: they were doing for me the same as is done when a man falls overboard.
"Clew up the mainsail," continued the captain, "and haul in the sails to the mainmast!"
The ship stopped, or very nearly so. The pilot was already in his boat.
I went up to the poor exile; tears were silently streaming down her cheeks.
"You will be sure and fulfil my commission, will you not, monsieur?" she said in a broken voice.
I bowed my acquiescence.
"You will embrace my mother for me?"
"I promise you I will do so, madame."