“No, sir; her topsail shivers now. It is very thick, and for nearly four days we have not had a glimpse of the land. Where do you say we are, sir?”
“Captain O’Loughlin thought we were somewhere off Isle Dieu, about two or three leagues distant, but I fear we are much nearer. Now if that is the case, and the wind stands as it is, we shall never be able to weather the West Penmarks.”
“Suppose as how, sir,” said Bill, “if the weather keeps thick like this—and it is thick enough for soup—suppose as how, sir, we makes a long leg seaward.”
“I shall certainly do so, Bill, if it keeps on this way. The swell is also very rapidly increasing from the nor’-west, an ugly customer where we are, to say nothing of the chances of meeting privateers and cruisers from Brest. I wonder where that lugger is now? not far off, I dare say. She is a very beautiful craft, certainly the handsomest lugger rigged vessel I ever saw.”
“We should have had her also, sir, only for this here fog—darn it.”
Towards sunset, instead of looking up, the schooner fell off, the wind heading them, and freshening considerably. On sounding several times, our hero found he had forty or fifty fathoms; this he knew to be about the soundings close in with Belleisle, a couple of leagues off. He ought to have about sixty.
Calling the gunner, he desired him to fire a gun, as agreed upon when either vessel should tack. This was done, and all listened, thinking it would be returned, but, finding no response, he ordered the schooner about.
“I do not think the Babet has outsailed us in this light wind,” observed our hero to an old and experienced man-of-war’s man, who acted as his first mate.
“No, sir; under-rigged as the corvette is, I should say this craft would outsail her, and beat her on a wind. Perhaps the Captain tacked and forgot to fire the gun.”
“I do not think that,” returned our hero. “However, we will let her stand on this board;” and, having set the watch, and taking all necessary precautions, he retired to eat his dinner and have a look at what the cabin contained.