“Recall the boats, Mr Reardon.”
“I beg your pardon, sir,” said the lieutenant, with quite a start. “Aloft there! Who’s in the foretop?”
“Ay, ay, sir; Jecks, sir.”
I shivered.
“Hail the boats to come back.”
The man did not answer for a moment, and Mr Reardon made an angry gesture, but just then Tom Jecks, with his hands to his mouth, sent forth a hoarse deep-toned roar.
Then there was a pause and a faintly-heard hail came from far away, the zig-zagging movement of the boats ceased, and we saw one of them, that is to say one of the lights, glide slowly toward the other, till one was apparently only a short distance in front, and the other following.
“Let me know when the boats come alongside, Mr Reardon,” said the captain quietly.
“Yes, sir.”
“And, by the way, I’ll trouble you for my night-glass.”