I listened, and thought that I heard the cry again. “Mr James,” said I, “did you not hear some one shout?”
“No, Sir,” replied he.
“Wait, then, and listen.”
We did so, but I could not hear it repeated.
“I am certain that I heard a voice as if on the waters,” said I. “Perhaps some one has fallen overboard. Turn the hands up to muster, and haul the fore-sheet to windward.”
The men were mustered, but no one was missing.
“It was your fancy, Sir,” observed the first officer.
“It may have been,” replied I; “but I am still in my own mind persuaded that such was the case. Perhaps I was mistaken.”
“Shall we let draw the fore-sheet, Sir?” said Mr James.
“Yes, we may as well; but the wind is lighter than it was. I think we shall have a calm.”