But, as I put my hand in his and tried to speak, he looked upon me long and tenderly as he had never looked before, and I think he knew it was the farewell, and that he would not be alive when the night was passed.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CUT CABLE.
Whether my brother had spoken more, I know not; for, on a sudden, there came a stir and commotion among the men, who began to move towards us in a gang.
When they were come near, one said hoarsely:
“Cap’n, we hears shore-breakers. Hearken now! hearken to it!”
I listened, and above the clamour of the waterfall, I thought I did, indeed, hear the sound of breaking waves. But the seaman on a sudden cried:
“We be nearer shore! Nearer shore, the Lord ha’ mercy on ’s!”
“Nearer shore!” cries the Captain. “Hath the anchor, peradventure, come home in a duck-pond? Why, you lunkhead, she is fast as iron locks!”
“Then look there!” said the other, and pointed down upon the sea forward.
The thick darkness, which had held until now with no rift in the cloud-pall, was broken. A shaft of moonshine took the sea hard by our cutwater; and the Captain, following it, gave a great start. The ship was in motion again!