"He likes the looks of us so well, Mr. Griffin, we'll give him a chance to see more of us."
The firing now suddenly ceased.
"He knows by our springing our luff," said Jacques, "that he's throwing away his powder and shot."
"I see a boat," said the second mate; "he's going to board us."
The captain, getting into the companion-way, where he could brace himself, as it was impossible to stand without holding on to something, put the glass to his eye.
"There's a man overboard," he cried.
"God help him," said Walter; "he can't live long in this sea."
"He's got hold of something that has been flung over,—a spar or plank,—and they are after him."
In a few moments he could be seen with the naked eye whenever he rose on the crest of a wave. They continued silently to watch him, approaching fast before the wind and sea.
"They don't see the man," shouted the captain; "the boat's crew don't see him, the vapor is so thick, and he so low in the water; they are lying on their oars, and the cockswain is standing up, looking round. We must save him, or he's a dead man. Hard down the helm."