Hildebrand, thus addressed, turned his eye in the direction specified; but, though he surveyed the horizon earnestly, could discern no trace of the reported ship.
“Three more sail to leeward, Sir!” cried Halyard.
Again Hildebrand turned his eye on the horizon.
“Three more sail to leeward, Sir!” cried Halyard.
Hildebrand’s countenance became more grave.
“Ho there! at the helm!” he shouted: “Bear off a point to windward!”
“Ay, ay, Sir!” was the ready answer of the helmsman.
“Now, Senhor, seize thee a grasp of that pin,” said Hildebrand to Don Rafaele, at the same time pointing to a belaying-pin, or hold for a rope, that stood out of the ship’s bulwark.
Don Rafaele, without inquiring the object of such a procedure, grasped at the pin on the instant, and then looked to Hildebrand for further instruction. While his eye yet rested on his face, the helmsman, conformably to his recent orders, suddenly turned the helm, and the ship gave a violent pitch on the water.