"I have not heard the cry again," said Compton.
"Can you see anything over there—follow the line of my finger— there, just by that gleam?"
"Yes; I think there is something."
"Then I think the captain ought to know;" and Venning ran off first to Mr. Hume.
"Something afloat, eh?" and Mr. Home rose from his deck-chair.
"Some one in distress, I think," They went on to the bridge, and Venning began his story; but the captain cut him short by wheeling round to the rail.
"Ahoy, there—ahoy!"
A startling response came in a long, quivering wail out of the dark sea.
"By the lord," muttered the captain, "what's that?"
"Jackal," said Mr. Hume.